GLSEN is building a new senior fundraising team to lead the organization into its second quarter century. A key member of this team, the Individual Giving Manager will lead three major aspects of GLSEN’s work including the annual fund consisting of gifts under $1,200 via mail, e-mail, social media, and phone; the Honor Society including a mid-level giving program for gifts of $1,200+ per year; and data management, including Raiser’s Edge and other databases. The Individual Giving Manager will also manage one staff member, the Donor Database Associate, as well as several key vendor partners (direct marketing agency, mail house, lockbox, software providers).

Since 1990, GLSEN (pronounced ‘glisten’) has fought for all students to have the safe and affirming school environment they deserve, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. GLSEN’s staff and its 40 volunteer-led chapters effect this transformation by educating the general public and by supporting individual student leaders, student-led Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), teachers, administrators, and policymakers nationwide. GLSEN’s in-house research department rigorously evaluates the effectiveness of its work.

GLSEN was founded at a time when homosexuality was illegal, supportive teachers were hard to find, and many argued that LGBT youth “didn’t exist.” Today, 96% of LGBT students can identify a supportive educator in their school, anti-LGBT bullying and name-calling are subjects of widespread concern, and more than half of American high schools have a GSA. GLSEN’s work has forged new paths to opportunity for millions of students, but much remains to be done. 74% of LGBT students are still verbally harassed at school, many attend schools without a GSA, and 30%  missed at least one entire day of class in the past month because they too unsafe to go to school. 

The LGBT movement is at a rare and thrilling crossroads. GLSEN is perfectly positioned to become the next major focus of this civil rights movement, uniting the LGBT community, straight family members of LGBT youth, and all adults who believe in educational opportunity, to make all schools safe for all students. That means that GLSEN’s new major gifts officer can promise donors not just the chance to change the lives of LGBT youth, but to lead the movement and propel the country toward justice. 

Reporting Relationships and Culture

The Individual Giving Manager reports to the Chief Development Officer. GLSEN is a close-knit, collegial workplace with a flat organizational structure and a focus on collaboration and mentoring.

GLSEN has an annual budget of approximately $8 million and a staff of 30. Thousands of volunteers work through 40 GLSEN chapters in 28 states.

Primary Responsibilities

The Individual Giving Manager will:

• plan and implement GLSEN’s annual fund direct marketing program to acquire, renew, and upgrade donors giving $1–$1,199 per year;
• plan and implement GLSEN’s Honor Society mid-level giving program to acquire, renew, and upgrade donors giving $1,200 per year or more;
• identify new major gift prospects capable of giving $10,000 per year or more;
• create, manage, and advance mutually beneficial relationships with assigned individual prospects;
• coordinate with colleagues in GLSEN’s Field Services department to provide fundraising support to GLSEN chapters;
• maintain scrupulous records of all aspects of donors’ and prospects’ relationships with GLSEN for use across the Development department and throughout the organization;
• lead monthly financial reconciliation and annual audit processes with colleagues in GLSEN’s Finance department; and
• manage staff and vendor partners, including coaching, performance appraisal, and hiring. 

Key Colleagues

Chief Development Officer David Murray leads GLSEN’s fundraising team and serves as a member of the organization’s senior leadership group.

David joined GLSEN in 2015, having decided to align his personal philanthropy with his professional ambition. David has been a donor to GLSEN since 1999, and has contributed time and money to many LGBT organizations, including Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, and Servicemembers’ Legal Defense Network. He considers working with GLSEN’s visionary executive director, Eliza Byard, an honor and a privilege. 

David brings more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management to his new role at GLSEN. Until 2014, David led the American University of Beirut’s North American advancement office, overseeing a staff of 11 fundraising, alumni relations, communications, and data management professionals. Before AUB, David worked for six years at Syracuse University, helping conclude a $1 billion capital campaign and teaching fund development courses.

Earlier in his career, David worked with PBS and NPR member stations, and at PBS headquarters, leading fundraising efforts on-air and off. He also served as a fundraising consultant to some of the world’s largest charities, including the headquarters of the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders U.S. David began his career as Director of Publications at Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

David holds a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Bucknell University.

Candidate Qualifications and Qualities

The ideal candidate for the position of Individual Giving Manager will have

• highly developed organizational and systems-building skills, using people, processes, and technology to streamline work and achieve objectives;
• a compelling personal manner with high emotional intelligence and outstanding communication abilities;
• a sophisticated understanding of the nature of donors’ and volunteers’ relationships with nonprofits and the ability to use those relationships to drive engagement;
• an indefatigable work ethic, driven by the critical importance of GLSEN’s work at this moment in history;
• the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously and independently;
• the ability to travel throughout the U.S., as well as attend events on occasional evenings and weekends;
• proposal writing and/or other professional writing experience;
• familiarity with, and understanding of, generally accepted accounting principles and state and national fundraising regulations;
• proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or similar donor database software; and
• passion for the mission and objectives of GLSEN.

A minimum of 2 years of prior experience, preferably in a direct response shop or annual giving program, with direct experience in the solicitation and closing of leadership annual gifts. Fundraising experience with parents of school-age children, LGBT adults, and/or independent K-12 school constituents is preferred. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Salary & Benefits

GLSEN offers an excellent and competitive benefits and compensation package. 

Location

This position is located in GLSEN’s New York City headquarters.

Application Deadline

Before sending your résumé for this position, please read it over for accuracy. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected.

Resume and letter of interest including salary requirements should be submitted at: www.glsen.org/apply-to-work-at-glsen

All inquiries will be held in confidence.

GLSEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBT people to apply.