Senior Philanthropy Advisor

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year. Mr. Gunn had a deep appreciation for the natural world, believing that in nature students understand themselves as humans and their place in the world. He took a principled stand against slavery and spurred students (and the town at large) to examine their beliefs. In addition to the habits and skills students will need in college and life beyond, we teach them to follow Mr. Gunn’s example: to cultivate wisdom, to be trailblazers, to act with conviction, and to value character as highly as intellect and achievement.

Our continuous focus on moral character development intentionally engages all members of our school in the work of creating an inclusive and equitable living and learning ecosystem.  Community and citizenship are at the heart of our aspiration to both social justice and academic excellence, with individual diversity integral to the strength of that community. When we embrace difference and pursue school life with respect, equity, and compassion, we build a foundation for engaged citizens.

In keeping with the tenets of our founder Frederick Gunn, who was himself a prominent abolitionist and progressive educator, The Frederick Gunn School seeks to provide a pluralistic learning environment for all inclusive of (but not limited to): culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, learning differences, physical difference, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic differences.  

We invite applicants who resonate with our mission and who will foster an environment of cultural and intellectual richness and an active participant in advancing equity and inclusion.

Position Summary

The Senior Philanthropy Advisor will be instrumental in advancing Gunn’s mission by providing dedicated, externally facing capacity for one of Gunn's most important philanthropic constituencies: current and recent parents. Sitting intentionally between broad-based Annual Giving and Major Gifts, this role creates a clear pathway for parent families to deepen their philanthropic engagement with the School. The Senior Philanthropy Advisor manages a portfolio of parent prospects with a focus on discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to advance the Gunn Fund's annual goals, build donor pipelines, and support Gunn's long-term vision.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the Family Leadership Circle and parent leadership giving strategy. 
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75–100 current and recent parent leadership prospects, particularly Family Leadership Circle (FLC) families and parents demonstrating capacity and inclination for increased philanthropic engagement. 
• Conduct discovery and qualification among current and recent parent families to develop individualized engagement and solicitation strategies. 
• Build relationships with families capable of increasing their philanthropic investment, identifying candidates with significant major or principal gift potential. 
• Collaborate closely with the Major Gifts team when a relationship warrants major or principal gift management.
• Partner on Senior Class Gift leadership and other targeted parent giving initiatives. 
• Help identify and cultivate future parent volunteers, ambassadors, and trustees. 
• Conduct donor outreach (limited travel required). 
• Collaborate with colleagues on parent communications, Family Weekend events, regional parent receptions, and other engagement activities. 
• Monitor progress toward annual parent giving and participation goals, providing regular updates to internal stakeholders. 
• Maintain detailed records of donor interactions and prospect strategies in Raiser's Edge. 
• Provide administrative, logistical, and event-related support for team operations and school activities as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor's degree required
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines independently
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite; database experience (Raiser's Edge or equivalent) preferred
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential donor information
• A collaborative, team-oriented approach and excellent interpersonal skills
• A self-starter who takes initiative and follows through with minimal supervision
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic, with good time management skills, a sense of humor, and the ability to multitask in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary

Job Details 

Opening to be filled as soon as possible. Offer of employment will be contingent upon a successful background check.

Compensation

The Frederick Gunn School offers an attractive compensation package that includes a salary commensurate with experience, medical and dental insurance, and retirement plan contributions.

To Apply

This position is a 12-month, full-time, exempt opening, paid on a salary basis. Compensation is competitive, and the employment package includes excellent benefits, including outstanding health and dental coverage and a retirement plan. To apply, please complete our online application and upload a cover letter- including the response to the below prompt, resume, and three professional references (references will not be contacted without notifying you). Application materials are being accepted now, and qualified applicants will be invited to interview on a rolling basis.

Prompt - In your cover letter, please share what motivates you about relationship-based and philanthropy work, and why this role at The Frederick Gunn School aligns with the kind of work you find most meaningful. We invite you to describe a moment or experience—professional or personal—that sparked your interest in advancement or relationship development work, and explain how that influences your enthusiasm for this role. Finally, this role requires a high degree of independent initiative. Please describe why this style of work appeals to you and how you stay motivated in similar environments.

Please submit the following materials: 

Resume 

Cover letter 

Transcript(s) 

Two to four letters of recommendation

The Frederick Gunn School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except in cases of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, or except as otherwise permitted or required by law, The Frederick Gunn School does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, victims of domestic violence  or any other protected class status under applicable law with respect to hiring, compensation, promotion, discharge from employment or other terms and conditions of employment. Position announcements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the job title and the education and skills required. Descriptions are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that are required or may be required in the future. 

BACKGROUND SCREENING: The Frederick Gunn School conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer, which includes using a third-party administrator to conduct the checks.