Philanthropy Manager

Aspire Living & Learning • Hamden, CT

4h

About The Position

At Aspire Living & Learning, we don't just talk about making an impact, we live it. For more than 40 years, we've supported neurodiverse children and adults across New England and Maryland as they discover their passions, unlock their potential, and live more independently in their communities. Our person-centered services evolve with people's needs, from education and behavioral health to residential and community-based supports. We empower people to live lives shaped by their own interests, choices, and strengths. Join our collaborative, mission-driven team and bring your skills to work that makes a real difference every day.
Aspire Living & Learning is currently seeking a Philanthropy Manager who will lead the launch of Aspire’s community-centered, relationship-based fundraising strategy to grow revenue, deepen partnerships, and increase visibility in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Reporting to and supported by the Associate Vice President of Growth & Advancement, this role will focus on building philanthropic relationships with participating families, area businesses, and civic groups; securing support from diverse sources; and coordinating local engagement efforts.
The Philanthropy Manager will be an entrepreneurial, results-driven professional with strong communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a successful track record across fundraising strategies such as individual giving, events, and corporate partnerships. Supported by central philanthropy and marketing teams, the Philanthropy Manager will work closely with program, school, and finance teams to develop fundable opportunities and report on outcomes, helping advance Aspire’s impact in the region.

Requirements

• Minimum 4 years of nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Proven success meeting fundraising targets and cultivating donor relationships.
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and stewardship strategies.
• Experience planning and executing donor-focused and/or community events.
• Proficient using donor databases.
• Full proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• Must have satisfactory background checks.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Self-motivated, organized, and flexible; comfortable working independently in a startup-like environment.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and time management abilities.
• Commitment to the highest levels of ethical fundraising.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the philanthropic landscapes in our footprint preferred.
• Working knowledge of digital fundraising tools and email marketing platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Associate Vice President of Growth & Advancement to design a comprehensive fundraising strategy to expand, engage and activate our community of supporters.
• Lead implementation of individual giving, corporate support, and community engagement initiatives, generating revenue through direct response campaigns, in-person/virtual solicitations and written proposals.
• Cultivate strong relationships with participating families, funders, and stakeholders through personalized outreach and stewardship, fulfilling donor interest and encouraging retention and increased engagement.
• Identify and engage local and regional businesses through opportunities such as sponsorships, cause-marketing, employee volunteerism, and workplace giving.
• Plan and execute small-scale fundraising events and mission-centered cultivation events.
• Contribute to organization-wide fundraising initiatives, including major gift pipeline development, foundation/planned giving prospect identification and list building.
• Ensure consistent, values-aligned stewardship for supporter segments.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership to identify funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities and gather information needed to demonstrate donor impact.
• Represent Aspire at relevant regional events to increase visibility and build community Effectively communicate our overall mission, programs and priorities.
• Partner with Marketing to develop mission-driven content and capture localized impact stories.
• Maintain accurate donor records and capture contact activities in the database. Provide backup gift entry and acknowledgement as needed.
• Track and report on fundraising performance using data to guide strategy and forecast opportunities.
• Contribute to annual budgeting and help establish annual and multi-year revenue and engagement goals.
• Partner with the Associate Vice President of Growth & Advancement, senior directors and state leadership teams to encourage a culture of philanthropy at Aspire.
• Cultivate a positive and productive workplace atmosphere to enhance team morale and productivity.
• Participate in and complete training sessions as delegated by management to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
• Conduct training as required and assigned.
• Perform any additional job responsibilities assigned by supervisors or team leaders to support the organization's smooth operation.
• Accept reassignment as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance - Choose from multiple medical plans, with vision coverage included at no extra cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Saving Account (HSA) options - Use pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts with JOON - Monthly funds for wellness, fitness, commuting, childcare, pet care, and more.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match - A 100% match on contributions up to 2% of your salary.
• Generous Paid Time Off - Paid sick, personal, and vacation days, plus holidays.
• Professional Growth Opportunities - Access to training, leadership and management courses, mentorship, and career advancement.
• Employer-Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Telehealth Services and more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed