Manager of Individual Giving

The Manager of Individual Giving will join a high-performing Advancement team of 24 professionals—including development, marketing, and communications staff—which is responsible for raising over $15 million annually in philanthropic support. Individual Giving at Friends of the High Line (FHL) is a seven-person team that encompasses membership, major gifts, development operations, and a future planned giving program, with the goal to raise approximately $3.5 million in 2024.

The Manager of Individual Giving will help support the expansion of FHL’s individual donor pipeline, and year-over-year revenue growth, by managing its mid-level giving program, including its annual calendar of events, mailings, and communications. They will also serve as the primary writer and copy editor for the Individual Giving team by drafting a range of persuasive fundraising materials—from e-mail copy and correspondence to the annual year-end appeal and proposals for restricted projects. This position will collaborate closely with membership and major gifts colleagues to upgrade donors from membership to mid-level giving, while identifying mid-level donors with the capacity and proclivity to make major gifts to the High Line.

The Manager of Individual giving is a full-time, year-round, exempt employee reporting to the Senior Director of Individual Giving.

Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Manage the High Line’s mid-level giving program, the High Line Council, including coordination of its annual stewardship calendar of events, tours, and regular communications to build donor satisfaction and loyalty.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the mid-level giving program, providing customer service and acting as a congenial ambassador for the High Line.
• Collaborate with the Special Events team on the execution of all in-person events specific to High Line Council donors.
• Work with the Membership Coordinator on benefit fulfillment for High Line Council donors.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Individual Giving to reinvigorate the High Line Council program by strengthening its brand identity and tailoring its offerings to donors’ desires and needs.
• Work collaboratively with the Individual Giving team to support the development and execution of strategies to grow the individual giving pipeline, from initial acquisition to mid-level giving, to major gifts.

WRITING

• Write and edit tailored proposals, reports, appeals, emails, and other correspondence to articulate a compelling case for general operating support and restricted giving, including core programs like horticulture, public art, and community engagement.
• Draft appeals and other collateral for the future launch of a Planned Giving program.
• Support the Membership program by reviewing and copy editing membership campaign materials for tone, content, and accuracy to ensure consistency from initial draft to final deployment.

ADMINISTRATION

• Actively manage and maintain individual donor records in FHL’s fundraising database,
• Raiser’s Edge, including contact information, gift records, and donor activities.
• Review event invitation lists, and communications distribution lists, to ensure current donors
• and prospects receive appropriate and regular communication.
• Provide support to the development of the Planned Giving program.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Strong writer with exceptional communication skills
• 3-5+ years experience working in non-profit fundraising, or comparable experience
• Excellent project management and attention to detail
• Highly-motivated and entrepreneurial, with a solutions-driven mindset
• Ease of working with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Knowledge and experience with fundraising databases, preferably Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge
• Good sense of humor preferred

The location for the role remains hybrid, with a requirement to physically report to the office

(located in Manhattan Meatpacking District in New York City).

**If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation during the application process,

please send an email request to [email protected] **

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Sr. Director of Individual Giving and is part of the Advancement team.

Actual salaries may vary on various factors, including but not limited to experience and performance. The annual salary range is $65,000 - $75,000.

This position is a hybrid role, reporting 1-3 days per week into our headquarters, which is located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.

**If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation during the application process, please send an email request to hr@thehighline.org. ** Resumes sent to this email address will not be given any special consideration.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave
• 20 Vacation days, 7 sick days, and 10 paid holidays with floating holidays & Winter Fridays
• Discounts Citi Bike Membership
• Discounts with Vendor at the High Line & around the Meatpacking neighborhood
• Free entrance to Whitney Museum
• Supplemental short-term disability insurance and paid life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Contribution in a 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Growth & Development

About Friends of the High Line

The High Line is both a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. We’re devoted to reimagining public spaces to create connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities through our work with communities on and off the High Line.

Built on a historic, elevated rail line, the High Line was always intended to be more than a park. You can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverage, or connect with friends and neighbors while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City.

Nearly 100% of our annual budget comes through donations. The High Line is owned by the City of New York, and we operate under a license agreement with NYC Parks.

EEO Statement

The High Line is guided by a series of values through which we make decisions, including hiring. These values include proactively creating access points for all people, regardless of age, sex, color, creed, race, income, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

As part of our commitment to living up to these values and advancing equity within our organization and through our work, we are committed to an equitable hiring process. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with a broad range of lived experiences. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.