The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, widely known as “the university that built the nation of Israel,” was founded on Mount Scopus in 1918 (30 years before the founding of the State of Israel) by visionaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Chaim Weizmann, and Martin Buber. Opened in 1925, The University is now Israel’s premier academic institution and the country’s research powerhouse.

The Hebrew University enrolls 23,500 students from Israel and 70 other countries in its seven academic Faculties in the Humanities, Science, Law, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Dental Medicine, and Medicine, and 14 schools. Its students, faculty, and alumni have won eight Nobel Prizes. For more information, visit https://new.huji.ac.il/en.

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY (AFHU)

AFHU is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New York City. AFHU was founded in 1925 to raise awareness of and support for The Hebrew University. Through the philanthropic leadership of American Friends across the U.S., AFHU helps the University to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, build teaching and research facilities, provide scholarships and fellowships, and advance basic and applied research in a myriad of vital fields.

AFHU’s national and regional programs, events, and missions to Israel promote a greater appreciation of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s breadth and scope of achievements, and the university’s pivotal role in educating leaders for the State of Israel. By nurturing Israel’s greatest natural resource—the intellectual strength of the nation’s people—AFHU helps The Hebrew University improve human health, lead the way with agricultural innovation, spearhead the latest breakthroughs in brain sciences, and illuminate the world through the humanities.

AFHU has a staff of 65 professionals with regional offices in New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. And satellite offices in Dallas and Philadelphia. With an endowment of over $500 million, AFHU raises approximately $60 million each year and growing. AFHU’s contribution is over half of the University’s overall fundraising goal. For further information on AFHU, visit www.afhu.org.

MIDWEST REGION

The Midwest Region is located on N. Wacker Drive in Chicago and has a total staff of four. The region covers 11 states and has a committed and active 35-member Board. In FY 2018, the Midwest Region raised over $5 million. In addition to several educational programs and some smaller fundraising events, the Midwest Region hosts one major awards gala a year. The region is led by Executive Director Judith Shenkman.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Midwest Region seeks an exceptional front-line development executive who wants to join a dynamic team of professionals to work on a major-gifts driven campaign. S/he will have a unique opportunity to incorporate their diverse fundraising skills from direct solicitations, event management, and educational programming. Knowledge of planned giving would be helpful but is not required. The Senior Development Executive will also be charged with developing an alumni development plan for the region.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of soliciting major gifts and a strong familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic community in the Midwest. S/he will also possess a deep commitment to the mission and future of AFHU and energized by its vital contribution to The Hebrew University.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

This position is an opportunity to align yourself with one of the world’s top universities. Last year the University received international attention for advances in medicine, the invention of new drug platforms, major archaeological discoveries and international partnerships reflective of the University’s global stature. From bioengineering to brain research, and from law to human rights, The Hebrew University offers donors and prospects a wealth of investments to interest their philanthropic giving. Donors can leverage their gifts knowing that research and discoveries made at The Hebrew University, not only help Israel but their gifts that go further in Israel than in the United States.

The staff at AFHU is highly-regarded in the Jewish philanthropic community, and the Executive Director of the Midwest Region is seeking candidates who are creative and have intellectual curiosity; AFHU is large enough so that there are opportunities for growth. The Senior Development Executive will not be a cog in a wheel, but a vital and appreciated member of a regional and national team. S/he will have the opportunity to grow the awareness of the work of The Hebrew University in the Midwest, try new ideas, involve new and younger donors and raise more funds to enable the University to turn dreams into realities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and manage your own portfolio of major ($25,000+) and principal ($1 million+) gift prospects, and design and implement strategies for their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship;
• Plan and execute fundraising events and generate new and exciting programs for outreach to expand the donor base, including the next generation of donors with major gift potential and a relatively untapped alumni base;
• Collaborate effectively with the Midwest Regional team and the National staff to ensure maximum fundraising effectiveness to meet Regional and National goals;
• Identify and cultivate lay leaders for future leadership roles for the Region, the National organization, and the University; work strategically with lay leaders to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help develop stronger relationships with other lay leaders, prospects, and donors;
• Serve as an enthusiastic and well-informed spokesperson for AFHU and The Hebrew University. Continuously learn about University programs, research, and developments, and share them with selected donors and prospects; and
• Staff fundraising visits by University faculty and leaders in the Region and help develop a variety of educational forums, visits, written communications, and one-on-one meetings to make the University relevant to donors and prospects.
• Ability to travel throughout the region as needed;
• Travel to Israel, when deemed appropriate by AFHU.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree is a plus;
• At least seven years of successful fundraising experience within a Jewish communal, higher education, or nonprofit setting;
• Significant experience identifying, cultivating, and soliciting five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts from individual and family foundations;
• Must be dynamic, charismatic, ambitious and motivated, with a strong work ethic;
• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and the ability to present The Hebrew University story convincingly and professionally that engages, inspires and generates enthusiasm among prospects;
• Ability to work in a highly collegial manner within a complex national and international organizational culture;
• Determined and decisive, exhibiting sound judgment and grace under pressure;
• The ability to balance a personal portfolio while also managing other projects is essential;
• A high level of integrity and initiative;
• Innovative and creative with a fresh perspective, as well as the ability to champion new ideas thoughtfully and thoroughly;
• Familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic communities throughout the Midwest and well acquainted with issues about Israel;
• A deep personal resonance with the mission of AFHU and an unwavering commitment to AFHU’s goals and values; and
• Excellent computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Suite, Raiser’s Edge and other relevant programs, databases and reporting systems.
• Hebrew language skills are a plus.