Wheaton College, established in 1834 as a female seminary and later chartered as a four-year liberal arts college in 1912, has evolved into a distinguished institution with a rich academic tradition. In 1988, it became coeducational, and today, it stands as a top-ranked liberal arts college.
The college takes pride in its commitment to providing exemplary student experiences that forge a lifelong connection with its devoted alumni base. Known for its academic excellence, Wheaton College embraces liberal arts and sciences while actively engaging in curricular initiatives that span various disciplines, connecting academic study with real-world experiences, fostering diversity, and encouraging a global perspective.
Situated in Norton, Massachusetts, just 20 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, and 30 miles from Boston, Wheaton College enjoys a serene environment with beautiful natural resources, an excellent public school system, and welcoming neighborhoods. The College’s advancement team, led by Vice President Merritt A. Crowley, focuses on connecting the Wheaton community through meaningful opportunities for intellectual engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropy. With a growing culture of service and philanthropy, Wheaton College stands poised for transformative growth under the leadership of the incoming Associate Vice President of Individual Giving.
The Opportunity
Wheaton College is actively seeking an Associate Vice President of Individual Giving (AVP-IG) to join its dynamic team. Reporting to the Vice President for College Advancement, the AVP-IG will serve as a strategic partner to advance major and principal individual philanthropy, working collaboratively with trustees, faculty, and staff to extend Wheaton’s rich academic tradition in exciting directions.
This critical role involves overseeing all aspects of individual giving at the College, including the Wheaton Fund, Leadership Giving, and Planned Giving. The AVP-IG will be responsible for cultivating relationships with major donors, executing targeted strategies for solicitation, and managing a team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals in support of Wheaton’s mission and vision.
The successful candidate for the AVP-IG position should bring exceptional strategic and organizational acumen and at least seven years of experience in higher education or independent school advancement. Responsibilities include actively directing and leading fundraising departments, managing a prospect pool of high-capacity donors, leveraging data for ongoing research and prospect analytics, and establishing strong working relationships with senior administrators.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an upcoming campaign, mentor a growing team, and play a pivotal part in Wheaton College’s continued success in private philanthropy.
