Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting in their search for their new Vice President, Donor Engagement. This is an exciting role for an experienced professional with donor engagement and nonprofit leadership experience. 

Who We Are       

MaineCF’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine. We hold assets of over $775 million and work statewide with donors and other partners to provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships for Maine students. Our 48 employees work from our main office in Ellsworth, a second office in Portland, and remote locations throughout the state.  We have a commitment to equity and expect all staff will use equity to inform their work with us. Please learn more about us by visiting our website: https://www.mainecf.org.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Donor Engagement leads the Foundation’s donor engagement and planned giving departments and is a member of the Foundation’s management team. Reporting to the CEO, the VP of Donor Engagement provides strategic vision and direction to all aspects of the Foundation’s work with existing donors. The overarching goal of this position is to provide high-quality customer service, strategic grantmaking, and learning opportunities to and with donors. This position will be instrumental in developing and executing new strategies to engage donors to participate in broader initiatives and make unrestricted grants that will further MaineCF’s mission of building a better Maine. The ideal candidate will be relationship-focused and committed to lifelong learning. They must be an experienced leader with the ability to lead their own team and to partner with other teams across the Foundation.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate the Foundation’s donor engagement strategies, policies, and activities with a focus on relationship-building.
• Advise and prepare CEO for donor interactions by providing succinct descriptions of donors’ preferences, goals, and grantmaking history.
• In partnership with VP of Philanthropy and Director of Planned Giving, develop, deliver and evaluate the Foundation’s planned giving strategies, policies, and activities.
• Works closely with VP of Philanthropy to develop and implement advancement goals and strategies particularly as they relate to donor advised funds.
• Cultivate and build relationships with current donors to create an organizational culture that focuses on relationship-building.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase engagement and grantmaking from current donor advisors.
• Maintain a working knowledge of issue areas, initiatives, and community networks throughout Maine in order to guide donors and inform their grantmaking.
• Support donors’ grantmaking by providing expertise that connects their desired goals with initiatives in Maine.
• Understand and communicate grantmaking policies and practices in support of donors and in line with the current procedures of the organization.
• Maintain and record major interactions with donors in Foundation database.
• Perform the duties of a department manager, including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, supervising, evaluating, recognizing, and disciplining direct reports, setting employee goals and objectives, resolving employee issues, and ensuring compliance with the Employee Handbook and related personnel policies.
• Participate and provide leadership in organizational management as a member of MaineCF’s management team.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications needed for position:

• Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience preferred, at least 2 years management experience.
• Degree strongly preferred or demonstrated equivalent work experience.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills, with the ability to think strategically in the design and execution of projects and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities.
• Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Proven record of managing, motivating and mentoring a team of professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
• A relationship builder, with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Proven track record in donor services/customer service and outreach, in particular with high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience in asset development, including unrestricted, targeted, and planned gifts.
• Knowledge of organizations and issues that may have long-term impact on communities across Maine.
• Well-organized, self-motivated, and can-do attitude. Team player.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Maine.
• Willingness and ability to attend meetings and events outside regular work hours as needed.

Location and Schedule

This is a full-time hybrid position (2 days in office, 3 days remote), based out of either the Ellsworth or Portland office.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range of $135K-$165K annually, based on experience and qualifications
• Health Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
• Dental Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
• Vision Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
• Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and term life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6-9% company contribution vested immediately
• 21 paid days off per year (increases with tenure)
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness benefit

Hiring Process and Timeline

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to Cindy Joyce, Executive Search Consultant and Founder, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The deadline for submitting your materials is March 10, 2023. Ideally, we would like to have the new VP, Donor Engagement join in April.