Director of Philanthropy
About New York Junior Tennis & Learning
For over fifty years, New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has honored its founder Arthur Ashe’s legacy by encouraging them to reach their highest potential through tennis and academic programs. Life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement. [LG1] NYJTL is the largest provider of youth tennis and education programs in the nation, providing services in nearly 100 unique sites across all five boroughs while reaching 90,000 kids. In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the South Bronx. All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants.
The mission of NYJTL is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court. NYJTL believes life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement.
Position Summary
The Director of Philanthropy will spearhead the management, growth, and diversification of a multi-faceted fundraising program. As a member of the senior leadership team reporting directly to the CEO, they will collaborate with the CEO and board to oversee the organization's fundraising efforts, with a focus on diversifying funding sources and achieving financial goals. The position requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to craft a compelling narrative about NYJTL’s unique role in youth development. Organizational, project management and prioritization skills are essential. This is an ideal opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader and budding executive who is passionate about building relationships and securing support for NYC youth from under-resourced neighborhoods to thrive through education and tennis. The Director of Philanthropy will partner closely with the Marketing and External Relations team to develop donor-facing materials, fundraising campaigns, impact communications, and other initiatives that advance philanthropic engagement
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Fundraising Leadership
- Lead the research, prospecting, cultivation and solicitation of revenue from diverse sources: foundations, corporations, individuals, and other philanthropic partners
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual and long-term fundraising strategy in partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team. Build and nurture relationships with board members, public and private partners, and other key stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the Director of Communications on the planning and execution of major fundraising events (e.g., annual gala, tournaments)
- Develop fundraising metrics, dashboards, and reports to help staff and the board to monitor fundraising progress
- Support the growth and impact of NYJTL Next, the young professionals' group.
- Cultivate and manage volunteer recruitment, retention, and activation.
- Management and Administration
- Oversee fundraising department operations, including gift acknowledgement, donor records, fundraising documentation, and reconciliation of gift records with accounting records.
- Manage the use, accuracy, and improvement of Raiser’s Edge or other donor database/CRM systems.
- Supervise and support philanthropy/development staff, if applicable, and promote their professional growth.
- Oversee tracking of fundraising performance against goals and provide regular reports to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership.
- Ensure fundraising activities follow appropriate internal controls, donor restrictions, reporting requirements, and nonprofit best practices.
- Collaborate with finance to ensure accurate revenue tracking, pledge management, and donor reporting.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 8+ years' progressive experience with increased responsibilities
- Proven track record of excellent written skills under pressure
- History of developing and deepening relationships with key stakeholders; outstanding spoken communication skills
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing projects with a cross functional team, tracking progress against milestones and deliverables; hands-on approach to work execution.
- Proven ability to succeed with:
- Individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations, including grant writing
- Supporting fundraising events through donor engagement, sponsorship cultivation, and stewardship
- Effectively engaging a board of directors
- Using fundraising databases or CRM platforms
- Technologically savvy and comfortable using Microsoft 365, donor databases/CRM systems, fundraising platforms, and reporting tools
- Commitment to public service, youth development and education; interest in tennis a big plus
The above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.
Job Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Main Office in Long Island City, NY
Salary Range: $100K – $110K
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
NYJTL values the diversity of the people we hire and inspire. Diversity at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We center equity in all our work and in our hiring practices.
For more information about NYJTL, please visit www.nyjtl.org.
