Director of Advancement
: Job Details :

The Naval Academy Sailing Foundation (NASF) is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable tax-exempt nonprofit organization, chartered in the State of Maryland since 1973.

Its sole function is to further the mission of the United States Naval Academy primarily through direct support to the sailing program at the Academy. The NASF's mission is to provide support for the Naval Academy Sailing program in its mission to develop midshipmen into competent and confident sailors, promoting seamanship, resiliency, teamwork, and leadership. With NASF support Navy Sailing has been one of the top competitive programs in the country with several National Championships in its long and successful history.

The NASF executes its mission through financial and hard asset support to provide a margin of excellence ensuring that the United States Naval Academy

continues to produce skilled Naval and Marine Corps officers and future leaders.

The Foundation is located in Annapolis, Maryland.

Position Overview

The Naval Academy Sailing Foundation (NASF) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Advancement to lead and expand its fundraising efforts. The primary focus will be on securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations to replace an eclipsing fund, with the goal of raising $6 to $8 million over the next two to three years.

The Director of Advancement will play a pivotal role in developing a fundraising program that meets the current and future philanthropic needs of the NASF. This individual will be responsible for crafting a comprehensive fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Board and executing campaigns that include special events programming, donor engagement, and planning for a future capital campaign.

This hybrid position requires the candidate to spend time monthly on the U.S. Naval Academy campus, not only to attend events and activities but also to use the Academy as a cultivation platform. This will enable the Director to fully understand and appreciate the role and culture of a service academy.

This new role at the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation (NASF) offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled development professional and accomplished leader. The successful candidate will partner with the Board President and Executive Director to build fundraising capacity for NASF, an established organization with a strong legacy of success.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Campaign Development and Implementation

Develop and execute innovative fundraising strategies and campaigns from the ground up, tailored to the unique needs and goals of the organization.

Lead a capital campaign, ensuring successful achievement of financial targets.

Gift Solicitation

Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts in the 6 and 7-figure range from individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors and prospects through personalized engagement and stewardship.

Stewardship and Donor Relations

Develop and implement stewardship plans to ensure donors are acknowledged, appreciated, and informed about the impact of their contributions.

Create and manage donor recognition programs and events.

NASF Marketing & Communications

Responsible for overseeing the development and administration of all marketing and communication materials related to fundraising.

Develop strategies, partnerships and force-multipliers to build NASF brand awareness outside the alumni network.

Board Management and Collaboration

Work closely with the NASF Board of Directors and the Fales Committee (advisory) to develop fundraising strategies and engage them in fundraising activities.

Provide regular updates and reports to the board on fundraising progress and outcomes.

Administrative and Operational Management

Oversee all administrative aspects of fundraising, including budgeting, donor record-keeping, and compliance with fundraising regulations.

Ensure accurate and timely reporting of fundraising activities and results.

Collaboration and Leadership

Work closely with Officers and NASF Board members to identify and coordinate the fundraising effort.

Collaborate with staff leadership to align fundraising efforts with the organization's mission and goals.

Serve as a key representative of the organization in the sailing community, promoting NASF's mission and building partnerships.

Experience and Qualifications

• A highly motivated self-starter who is not only a proven development professional but also possesses the skills and interest to build a successful development operation from the ground up.
• At least seven to ten years of successful experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in a major cultural or military institution, non-profit organization, or educational institution.
• Experience in soliciting and securing six- to seven-figure gifts, annual and capital campaigns contributions, as well as special projects, programs, and in-kind donations.
• Proven history of fundraising success, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, as well as experience with planned giving, grant writing, and annual fund strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills; an engaging manner and the capacity to inspire peers, administrative leaders, volunteers, donors, and prospects. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the foundation landscape at the United States Naval Academy. Hands-on Board management and engagement experience.
• Exceptional presentation skills, including poise and presence to deal effectively with senior-level administrators, volunteers, and high-net-worth individuals. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write, edit, and speak clearly and effectively, and deliver an effective, coherent, and consistent message—a communication style that is open, cordial, and issues-focused.
• A deep passion for the NASF and its mission, coupled with a natural connection to its work. An innate enthusiasm to champion the values of the NASF, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the armed services as institutions that develop our nation's leaders.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning. Creativity in strategy development and stakeholder engagement. Ability to track trends and stay current with new approaches to fundraising, effectively evaluating, testing, and leveraging new ideas for NASF.
• A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Expertise with fundraising software and donor management systems.