Manager of Individual Giving

The Franklin Institute (TFI), the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, strives to be the world leader in promoting science and technology education and literacy through inspiring and engaging experiences that cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of the crucial role science plays in our lives. The Manager of Individual Giving will translate the Institute’s mission, programs, and impact into compelling philanthropic opportunities for current and prospective donors.

At TFI, we provide an environment that is as nurturing as it is dynamic. Our team-oriented approach allows for ample learning and career growth opportunities. We think you will find the Institute offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. We are eager for your input, ideas, and inspiration.

Position Description:

The Manager of Individual Giving is a key member of The Franklin Institute’s development team, responsible for leading and growing a comprehensive individual giving program encompassing the Benefactor Society, Annual Fund, and Benjamin Franklin Legacy Society.

This position is ideal for an experienced fundraising professional who has successfully managed annual giving programs and donor portfolios and is ready to take ownership of strategy, revenue growth, and donor engagement. The Manager will develop and execute sophisticated fundraising strategies designed to acquire, retain, upgrade, and deepen relationships with individual donors while building a strong pipeline for major and planned giving.

The successful candidate will bring a proven record of fundraising success, strong donor relationship and communication skills, fluency in using data to drive strategy, and the ability to independently manage multiple fundraising programs and priorities.

Essential Functions:

• Individual Giving Strategy and Leadership:
  • Develop, lead, and evaluate a comprehensive annual individual giving strategy with clearly defined revenue, acquisition, retention, renewal, and upgrade goals.
  • Take ownership of the performance of the Annual Fund, Benefactor Society, and Benjamin Franklin Legacy Society, identifying opportunities for growth and recommending new strategies as appropriate.
  • Use donor data, giving history, segmentation, and fundraising trends to drive strategy and measure results.
  • Partner with the Director of Development and other development colleagues to identify and cultivate donors with the potential to move into higher levels of giving and the major-gifts pipeline.
  • Stay current on individual giving trends and best practices, bringing forward sophisticated, creative approaches to donor acquisition, engagement, stewardship, and retention.
• Benefactor Society:
  • Manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of Benefactor Society donors and prospects giving $1,500 to $4,999 annually, developing individualized strategies designed to retain, renew, and upgrade their support.
  • Build meaningful relationships with donors, gaining a strong understanding of their philanthropic interests and connecting those interests with the Institute’s priorities.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for Benefactor Society acquisition, retention, stewardship, renewal, and upgrades.
  • Identify Benefactor Society members with major-gift potential and partner with development leadership to create appropriate cultivation and solicitation strategies.
  • In partnership with the Manager of Development Events and Major Gifts Officer, create meaningful donor engagement and stewardship opportunities.
• Annual Fund:
  • Lead the strategy and execution of the Institute’s Annual Fund program, including the development of an annual fundraising plan, calendar, revenue goals, segmentation strategy, messaging, budget, and performance metrics.
  • Develop compelling donor communications and solicitation strategies across appropriate channels.
  • Regularly analyze campaign and donor performance, adjusting strategy to strengthen acquisition, retention, renewal, and revenue.
  • Partner with marketing and other internal teams to develop high-quality fundraising communications that effectively articulate the case for philanthropic support.
• Benjamin Franklin Legacy Society / Planned Giving
  • Partner with the Director of Development to develop and execute strategies to grow awareness of and participation in the Benjamin Franklin Legacy Society.
  • Identify planned-giving prospects within the Institute’s donor base and develop appropriate cultivation and stewardship strategies.
  • Help integrate planned giving into broader donor conversations and individual giving communications.
• Additional Responsbilities
  • Serve as an experienced individual-giving strategist and internal resource on annual giving, donor engagement, stewardship, and pipeline development.
  • Bring a highly donor-centric approach to fundraising, balancing relationship development with ambitious revenue goals.
  • Prepare fundraising projections, reports, and analyses and use results to inform future strategy.
  • Maintain accurate and timely donor information, moves management activities, and portfolio records in Raiser’s Edge or a comparable fundraising CRM.
  • Work effectively and independently in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple complex, deadline-driven initiatives.
  • Collaborate effectively with colleagues across Development, Marketing, Membership, Programs, and other areas of the Institute.
  • Represent The Franklin Institute professionally with donors, prospects, volunteers, and other external stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, with significant direct experience in individual giving, annual giving, donor relations, or major-gift pipeline development.
• Demonstrated success managing an annual giving or individual giving program with measurable fundraising goals and results.
• Demonstrated experience personally managing donor relationships, including cultivation, solicitation, renewal, and stewardship.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies based on donor data, segmentation, and giving trends.
• Strong written communication skills and experience developing compelling donor-facing fundraising communications.
• Proficiency with a fundraising CRM such as Raiser’s Edge and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in a museum, cultural institution, science center, educational organization, or similarly complex nonprofit environment is preferred.

Required Competencies:

• Fundraising Expertise & Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated understanding of individual giving strategy, donor cultivation, annual giving, stewardship, retention, and pipeline development, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into effective fundraising strategies.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and confidently engage individuals around philanthropy and increased giving.
• Results Orientation: Proven ability to establish fundraising goals, monitor performance, interpret results, and adjust strategy to drive revenue growth.
• Executive Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment and confidence to represent The Franklin Institute professionally with donors, senior leaders, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to analyze donor and fundraising data and translate insights into actionable strategies for acquisition, retention, upgrades, and portfolio management.
• Operational Execution: Highly organized self-starter capable of independently managing multiple complex, deadline-driven priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Collaboration: Ability to build productive relationships across departments and work effectively with colleagues at varying levels of the organization.

Status: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000

Benefits Information: The Franklin Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision, 401K, life insurance and disability coverage. We also offer generous Paid Time Off, paid holidays, and numerous wellness program benefits.

To apply, please visit our Career Center. We look forward to hearing from you!

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function..

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Franklin Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability or protected veteran status.