Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation seeks a strategic and transformational leader to serve as Executive Director — guiding its philanthropic mission and advancing its support of educational and charitable initiatives. This is a rare opportunity to serve an organization with a proud legacy, ambitious goals, and a strong foundation for meaningful growth.

About the Foundation

The Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1945 to support the educational and charitable purposes of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (founded in 1848) and its undergraduate brothers and chapters. The Foundation raises and manages funds in support of this mission.

Donations to the foundation are deductible under section 170 of the code, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead all strategic and operational aspects of the Foundation, including development and fundraising, donor stewardship, grants and scholarships, finance, marketing, and communications. The Executive Director will build a culture of philanthropic development, deepen graduate brother engagement, and grow financial support for the Foundation’s initiatives among the members of Phi Gamma Delta.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Foundation Board, Fraternity staff, volunteers, and donors to articulate and advance the Foundation’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The role is based in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Fraternity’s International Headquarters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the Board to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with the Foundation’s mission, goals, objectives, and policies. (The position reports directly to the Board of Directors through the Board Chairman.)
• Serve as the chief ambassador and spokesperson for the Foundation.
• Provide leadership in board development to ensure that directors are educated about the Foundation, are trained as effective fundraisers, and are informed stewards of philanthropic assets.
• Ensure strong collaboration with the Fraternity and key volunteers.
• Provide transparent and effective leadership to staff, fostering a values-driven and results-oriented culture.

Development, Fundraising & Communications

• Drive major gift fundraising, personally managing a portfolio of top-level prospects capable of soliciting five- to seven-figure gifts.
• Oversee and enhance the development of the annual giving campaign (i.e., The Perge! Society), estate giving (i.e., White Star Legacy Society), planned giving, and the annual Giving Day.
• Guide Foundation staff in prospect research, donor cultivation, and stewardship strategies.
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain the Foundation’s high-performance senior management team to meet goals. (The team includes the Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Director of Graduate Engagement, and the Major Gifts Officer.)
• Strengthen the Foundation’s brand and fundraising messaging through communications, digital engagement, and personal outreach.
• As appropriate, involve the Fraternity Executive Director in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors.
• Engage and energize Phi Gamma Delta graduate members, board members, and graduate volunteers for the purpose of raising current and future funding.
• Travel regularly throughout the country to steward current donors while cultivating and soliciting new donor prospects.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts of six figures or more.

Operations and Finance

• Oversee the daily operations, including staff leadership, policy implementation, and program administration.
• Ensure the fiscal integrity of the Foundation through sound budgeting, accurate reporting, and compliance with IRS and nonprofit regulations.
• Prepare and manage the Foundation's annual fiscal budget, ensuring it maintains a positive financial position.
• Provide monthly financial statements to the board.
• Assist the Fraternity in developing grant requests and managing supporting documentation.
• Oversee administrative staff to promote scholarships to brothers and specific chapters as scheduled.

Board & Governance Support

• Lead the Foundation in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board.
• Plan and execute Board meetings in partnership with the Board Chairman.
• Provide timely and relevant information for board decision-making.
• Develop, maintain, and support a strong board of directors; serve as ex officio of each committee.
• Seek, and build board involvement in strategic direction.
• Work with the Board and Nominations Committee to identify and recruit future Board members.
• Ensure effective systems and processes to track progress and regularly evaluate program components, measuring successes that can be communicated to the board, donors, and other key stakeholders.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

You are a mission-driven, results-oriented leader with a passion for higher education, fraternal values, and philanthropy. You bring credibility and experience in fundraising and organizational leadership. You thrive in a collaborative culture and are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young men.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five or more years in senior nonprofit manager roles, with organizational management and staff supervision experience.
• Seven or more years of progressive experience in professional fundraising with a strong track record in major gift and planned gift development—preferably within a large, complex organization such as a university, fraternal organization, healthcare system, or community foundation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in major gifts fundraising with a strong command of metrics-driven management to track performance and document success.
• Experience with CRM platforms and donor management systems to support fundraising strategy and donor engagement.
• Budget management and nonprofit finance experience.
• Strong strategic planning, board engagement, and team leadership skills.
• Ability to convey a vision of the Foundation’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers, and donors.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• An advanced degree in nonprofit management, philanthropy, finance, organizational dynamics, or related field.
• Designation as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) or equivalent.
• Membership in Phi Gamma Delta.
• Association management experience.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Compensation will be nationally competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s experience, demonstrated ability, and verifiable compensation history. The anticipated starting salary is $180,000 or more, with eligibility for annual performance-based incentives. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including paid time off, health and dental insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Why Lexington?

The role is based at the International Headquarters of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta in Lexington, Kentucky — a vibrant city known for its innovation, hospitality, and high quality of life. Link to: Lexington, Kentucky

INTERESTED?

Qualified and interested candidates may submit a cover letter, resume, and list of accomplishments through this online portal .

The Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation is being assisted in this search by Columns Fundraising. Any questions related to this position or the search should be directed to phigammadelta@columnsfundraising.com.

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