Chief Philanthropy Officer & Director of the Jewish Endowment Foundation Position

SUMMARY

The Jewish Endowment Foundation (JEF), a division of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts (JFWM), is seeking a Director of the Jewish Endowment Foundation (DJEF) to implement the activities and programs of JEF, including an extensive program of outreach, cultivation, and solicitation of current and prospective donors to assist them in meeting their philanthropic goals within the context of building and sustaining Jewish life and the Jewish community to help maximize JFWM’s ability to sustain and grow the services it offers to the community. The DJEF will work closely with and report to the JEF Board and the CEO of JFWM. The successful candidate will be an innovative leader and a team player, with strong interpersonal skills and a desire to cultivate relationships at all levels.

BACKGROUND

The JEF is a division of the JFWM established in 1972 to develop, manage and maintain funds for the benefit of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts’ (JFWM’s) Annual Campaign, in addition to other funding needs of the community and its partner agencies. Among the funds of JEF, donors established Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) Funds which provide an ongoing annual income stream to JFWM. Over the years, JEF has expanded to include additional categories of funds, including agency advised funds, donor advised funds, and restricted purpose funds that provide money for Scholarships, Israel Study & Travel, Jewish Education, Professional Development, Missions, Social Justice, Holocaust Education, and Israel. In addition, unrestricted funds support internal operations and provide grants to local organizations for a variety of purposes.

Since 2008, Harold Grinspoon Foundation and JEF have partnered on the Create a Jewish Legacy Program (CJL) of Western Massachusetts. CJL is an educational program for agencies and donors focusing on the importance of legacy giving. For agencies/synagogues the CJL program provides training on asking for legacy gifts, tracking and stewarding those gifts. The CJL program also helps donors in creating legacy gifts.

The mission of JFWM, as the region’s central Jewish communal organization, is to ensure the continuity and well-being of a vibrant Jewish community within Western Massachusetts, the United States of America, Israel and the world. Guided by the values of Torah (Jewish learning), Klal Yisrael (the responsibility of each Jew for another), Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (justice, righteousness and philanthropy), JFWM, together with its local and worldwide partners, educates and advocates for and supports Jews locally, nationally and internationally, and the State of Israel as the Jewish Homeland.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Cultivate relationships with major donors:

    • Engage in the identification, solicitation and stewardship of prospective and current major donors to generate new and increased legacy and endowment giving.

    • Work with development colleagues to include planned giving in cultivation and solicitation plans for all major donors.

2. Manage all functions of the JEF, including:

  • Outreach to and cultivation and solicitation of donors.

  • Oversee the management of the existing funds, including the preparation and distribution of annual donor reports. This includes the management and coordination of multiple funds for Federation constituent agencies.

  • Develop and deliver presentations on planned giving and endowment development to colleagues, donors and professional advisors.

  • Promote and publicize the activities and impact of JEF.

  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant estate/gift/charitable planning techniques and their impact on charitable giving.

  • Facilitate and support the work of various JEF committees, which include the development, legal, fund acceptance, investment, and grants committees.

  • Coordinate and serve as key professional for Federation led community-wide legacy planning initiatives.

  • Manage and interface with the staff responsible for the activities of JEF.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree required; law degree or other advanced degree in finance, law, or accounting preferred.
  • Minimum 7 years of experience in fundraising and planned gift development.
  • Knowledge of fundraising database systems and the use of technology in prospect identification and research.
  • Effective at forging strong interpersonal alliances at all levels both within and outside the organization.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Proven track record of planned gift solicitation and knowledge of planned giving vehicles.
  • Awareness of Jewish customs, traditions, and values.

TO APPLY

For more information or to apply, contact Operations Officer Jessica Wolfe.

The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds and sexual orientations. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.