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Description

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Individual Giving supports the growth of St. Luke’s School’s philanthropic program by managing and developing relationships with leadership annual fund and emerging major gift prospects.

This role is designed for a developing frontline fundraiser building experience in portfolio management and donor strategy. The Assistant Director manages a portfolio of alumni, parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends, guiding them through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The role emphasizes consistent outreach, disciplined follow-up, and pipeline development, while partnering closely with senior colleagues on higher-level strategy and select solicitations.

This position requires periodic travel and occasional evening or weekend participation in cultivation and stewardship events.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 donors and prospects, primarily focused on leadership annual giving and emerging major gifts (typically $5,000+).
• Partner with the Director of Development to set and achieve annual goals for outreach, qualification, visits, solicitations, and revenue.
• Develop and execute donor engagement strategies that move prospects from identification and qualification to cultivation and solicitation.
• Solicit leadership annual gifts and select multi-year commitments; build a pipeline for future major gifts.
• Cultivate and steward donors through personalized outreach, visits, and follow-up.
• Prepare donor materials, including briefings, correspondence, proposals, and contact reports.
• Collaborate with Development colleagues on prospect strategy, research, annual giving, campaign efforts, and stewardship planning.
• Support small-group cultivation and stewardship events.
• Maintain accurate, timely records in the CRM, including contact reports, next steps, and outcomes.
• Develop and communicate a clear understanding of the School’s priorities and case for support.
• Apply fundraising best practices, including moves management and disciplined portfolio strategy.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2–4 years of relevant experience in development, advancement, sales, admissions, client relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, establish trust, and engage effectively with donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Experience in annual giving, donor relations, alumni relations, admissions, sales, or another externally facing role preferred.
• Exposure to fundraising, prospect management, or donor engagement in a nonprofit, higher education, or independent school setting preferred.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through; ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Results-oriented mindset with initiative to consistently advance donor relationships and meet activity goals.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment, with openness to coaching and feedback.
• Professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in all interactions.
• Willingness to learn and apply donor-centered fundraising strategies and portfolio management practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort learning CRM systems (experience with Raiser’s Edge/NXT a plus).
• Appreciation for the mission of independent schools and the role of philanthropy in advancing institutional priorities.

Located in New Canaan, Connecticut, St. Luke’s attracts families from 25 towns throughout Connecticut and New York. A combination of challenging academics and truly exceptional community support distinguishes St. Luke’s and encourages our students to go above and beyond their own expectations. The school offers an inclusive environment where differences in race, culture, and personal beliefs are embraced as assets that enhance education. St. Luke’s prides itself on being a forward-thinking school where students hone their own distinct leadership skills - developing a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead.

St. Luke’s School is an equal opportunity employer. St. Luke’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law with regard to hiring, terms and conditions of employment or educational programs. We strive to provide a welcoming educational environment where the value and dignity of every member is respected.