Director of Development

About Temple Israel

Temple Israel (“TI”) is widely recognized as the largest reform synagogue in New England, and it is one of the

most prominent synagogues in the greater Boston area with 1,250 member families. Temple Israel is known for

offering an array of Jewish experiences and cultural and social programming, including interfaith inclusion and

social justice activism. We are committed to living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and

righteous impact. For 170 years our congregation has been recognized as a national leader with a rich history

of community engagement and generosity; we are seeking a senior development professional to help us

advance our mission and the development program that enhances, advances and supports it.

Director of Development

The Director of Development will serve as a key member of the TI leadership team. Reporting to the Executive

Director, this role works closely with the Senior Rabbi, along with the clergy team, senior staff, Board of

Trustees, and other temple leaders. The Director of Development is responsible for leading and managing all

aspects of development, including membership and annual giving, member/donor-relations, stewardship, and

gift planning which accounts for over $3 million annually, over half of Temple Israel’s annual revenue. The

Director will partner with senior leaders, engaged in future strategic visioning, and take the lead to develop and

implement multi-year campaign plans as required. As a key member of the senior staff of Temple Israel,

managing two (2) direct reports (Development Associate and Membership & Data Specialist) the Director of

Development will also oversee the membership program, including welcoming, engagement, and stewardship

of new and continuing members and donors. This role is responsible for managing relationship-building with

potential new members including new member onboarding. All of this work is centered around constituent

relations through outreach, engagement, relationship-building with the community towards increasing our

connection with our stakeholders.

The Director of Development is responsible for setting and implementing the overall strategic direction,

leadership, and management of all philanthropic activities inclusive of the Friends Annual Fund, special annual

and multi-year programmatic, endowment, and/or capital fundraising initiatives. This is a distinctive opportunity

for the Director to join the TI team at a critical, important, and impactful time in TI’s history. Early stage,

ambitious, multi-year comprehensive campaign planning is underway to enable transformational vision and

strategic goals. The Director will play a key leadership role in campaign planning, with both front-line and

behind-the-scenes responsibility for implementation.

Development Responsibilities

Strategy: Develop strategies, tactics, and procedures to ensure overall and individual family cultivation,

solicitation, and stewardship. This includes direct front-line relationship-building with congregants and guiding,

supporting others (i.e., professional staff, clergy, lay leaders) for solicitation and stewardship success.

Stewardship: Oversee our stewardship and cultivation efforts directly and in collaboration with the board and

staff. Manage relationships with all donors and create and track relationship assignments for members of the

clergy and lay leadership. Produce reports for the special funds that comprise the bulk of Temple Israel’s

endowment, including for memorial/tribute gifts, capital campaigns, special initiatives and planned giving.

Annual Fund: Manage and further develop our Friends Annual Fund toward $1 million annual achievement.

Responsibilities include all direct appeals, customized solicitations, and coordination of solicitation and

stewardship activities for senior staff and the Board of Trustees. Create and implement an annual fundraising

plan, calendar, and budget. This includes developing and carrying out strategies to retain past contributors,

increase member participation in all campaigns, and encourage new donor participation.

Grants: Identify foundation grant opportunities and work with members of clergy and sr. staff to develop

proposals to fund initiatives and special programs at Temple Israel. Report on all grants to donors and funders

annually or as requested.

Communications: Oversee gift acknowledgements and develop collateral including campaign materials for

use throughout the year, case statements, fund reports, digital content, and brochures. Oversee creation and

execution of the annual member continuation brochure each spring, dues acknowledgement thank-you cards

each fall, and ensure all members receive appropriate print/email updates from TI.

Management: Oversee appropriate staff efforts and coordinate board members on donor cultivation events

and fundraising. Supervise Development Associate on all aspects of administrative support including gift

processing and acknowledgement, creation of donor profiles, and all back-end gift processing for our annual

gala.

Database (Salesforce): Oversee the entire development process from donor identification to collection to

acknowledgement. Ensure timely and accurate recording of all gifts, pledges and financial transfers in a timely

manner to assist our accounting staff with statements and tax letters. Ensure accurate maintenance of records

and donor information, share weekly gift reports with Senior Staff.

Events: Develop and implement our signature annual fundraising gala (“Stepping Out”); plan several VIP

receptions throughout each year.

Membership Responsibilities

Membership dues: Oversee the annual collection of $2.5 million in dues payments from across our

congregation. In coordination with other team members, work directly with members determine abatement

rates and payment plans to ensure Temple Israel is accessible to all.

Accounts Receivable: Work closely with the accounting team to be sure all accounts are up to date, and

follow-up with all members who have not paid dues in a timely manner (“zero payers”) on a rolling basis.

New Member Orientation: Maintain direct contact with all potential new members through the various

engagement channels long established into Temple Israel including the religious school, Riverway Project (20s

& 30s), our preschool, and Village.

Event Organization: Oversee new member events, membership cocktail parties (onsite and online) in

coordination with clergy, lay leadership and engagement strategy team.

Management: Supervise Membership & Data Specialist on all aspects of member support including forecasting

for next fiscal year, new member & resignation reporting trends for the board and senior staff, abatement

approvals, onboarding of new members in our database, High Holy Day ticketing and registrations.

General Responsibilities

Member of Senior Staff: Attend weekly Senior Staff meetings to collaborate with clergy and administrative

staff on community events, holidays, and execution of the vision of Senior Rabbi

Collaboration and being a part of our community: Be present at major milestones of our calendar year in

collaboration with our community and staff.

High Holy Days: Under the supervision of the Executive Director, assist with staffing the High Holy Days to

support our congregation.

Board of Trustees: Attend regular meetings of the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Council and

participate in discussions and activities when appropriate. Prepare a monthly membership & development

report for the Board.

Qualifications

● BA or BS required

● Significant experience in development and fundraising with the ability to design,

implement, and manage an effective development program to maximize annual and

long-term membership and donor retention, growth, and philanthropic participation

● Proven track record of major gift development success and increasing philanthropic

revenue

● Demonstrated creativity and success in cultivating and stewarding new and existing

donors

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills

● Flexibility, passion, and the ability to work within a vibrant and diverse congregation

● Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM

● Preferred knowledge of the Greater Boston Jewish Community

Base salary will be starting at $130,000. Interested candidates should send a thoughtful cover letter and

resume to Dan Deutsch at ddeutsch@tisrael.org.