Director of Donor Engagement

Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina, welcomes nominations and applications for the position of Director of Donor Engagement. Embracing the school’s mission and reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, this key leadership role within Asheville’s growing Philanthropy team will be a strategic collaborator with experience in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.

Founded in 1900, Asheville School is an intentionally small, private, coeducational, boarding and day school in the Blue Ridge Mountains that currently supports 299 students in grades nine through twelve. Its rigorous academic curriculum is complimented by robust residential, athletic, artistic, outdoor, and extra-curricular offerings.

Incredible natural beauty defines the Asheville School’s campus. Its three hundred acres contain rolling hills, forests, wetlands, playing fields, trails, and the campus proper. Asheville is a top tourist spot; as a small metropolis, the city gets high marks for its lively arts and cultural scene, restaurants and breweries, golf courses, rivers, and its breathtaking views. A city also committed to sustainability and green energy efforts, Asheville has promoted efforts that address carbon footprint reduction and has been recognized as a “Green Dining Destination.” Asheville is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream location.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Asheville School is in the organizational phase for a capital campaign to invest in the program, places and people that create our transformative student experience.  It’s an exciting time to be on the team with the opportunity to be a part of this growth initiative and drive to elevate our giving programs.  With our 125th anniversary on the horizon, these positions will have ample opportunities for increased responsibility in readying operations to accommodate an increase in major gift activity. The campaign’s silent phase commenced in March 2024 with an anticipated public launch in 2027.

DIRECTOR OF DONOR ENGAGEMENT

The Director of Donor Engagement will report to the Director of Philanthropy and manage a portfolio of approximately 100 potential and current Major Gift ($25,000+) level donors to the school, with a special focus on Parent Giving. They will be responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. They will support the Director of Philanthropy in identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support, and work collaboratively with key volunteers, school leadership and faculty, Philanthropy staff, and other school representatives to cultivate donors for institutional priorities.

Exhibiting the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, successful candidates for the role will have a bachelor’s degree and 7-10 years of fundraising experience including closing six and seven-figure gifts.   The successful candidate should have proven experience with mentoring and leading high-performing team members.

The role is based in Asheville, NC, with the expectation for significant travel. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for the role is $115,000 to $140,000. Asheville School offers a generous benefits package as well.

Because Philanthropy at Asheville is growing and anticipating significant opportunity for innovation amidst an ambitious, upcoming campaign, there is excitement about bringing on talented and enthusiastic team members to work in support of a strong and experienced Director of Philanthropy.