Leadership Gift Officer (Development)

WHO WE ARE

Ellis Early Learning (Ellis) is a vibrant nonprofit with a proud history dating back to 1885. We are redefining what it means to deliver inclusive, equitable, and high-quality early education. Ellis is among the most socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organizations serving children in Boston. Ellis provides early education and care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children and is among only 6% of early childhood programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Ellis is more than a learning center—we’re a nationally recognized modelfor diversityand innovation in early childhood education. Servingmore than 300 children annually across two vibrantcampuses in the South End and Jamaica Plain, we ensure every child, regardless of their background, develops the social, emotional, and academic skillsto thrive in school and life.

MISSION

Ellis Early Learning partners with families to provide high-quality early childhood education in a warm, nurturing environment. A recognized leader in our field, we support children across the socio-economic spectrum, treasure diversity in all forms, and celebrate the joy of childhood.

VISION

Every child thrives, and every educator flourishes in an inclusive and equitable environment.

WHY ELLIS?

At Ellis, youwill join a dynamic teamleading bold initiatives to shape the future of early education. As a result of a seven-figure transformative gift, we arecreating a Centerof Excellence to elevate teaching quality and child outcomes, and making groundbreaking improvements in programming, fundraising, leadership, and evidence-based practices, setting new benchmarks for early learning outcomes.

Ellis collaborates with organizations such as the New England Conservatory for onsite music instruction and partners with Boston Public Schools on four Boston Pre-Kindergarten (formerly known as UPK) classrooms, enriching our early learning environment. Partnerships and programs like JumpStartand Raising a Reader addeven more depthto our work.

WHAT SETS US APART?

• A Rich Legacy and Visionary Future: With over a century of impact, Ellis combines tradition with trailblazing initiatives that inspire and lead.
• A Thriving, Inclusive Community: Ellis is a socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse

organization serving Boston’s children.

• Recognition and Results: Ellis’s commitment to quality and inclusion has earned us widespread

accolades and positioned us as a leader in the early education field.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ellis Early Learning—an early education nonprofit serving Boston’s children and families—seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial development professional to serve as its inaugural Leadership Gift Officer. This new position will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of philanthropy at Ellis by building the infrastructure and strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors capable of making leadership-level gifts.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Leadership Gift Officer will be responsible for growing a portfolio of current and prospective donors, focusing on leadership and planned gifts. The successful candidate will thrive in a startup-like environment, energized by the opportunity to lay the groundwork for long-term philanthropic success and inspired by Ellis’s mission to provide every child with the strongest start.

RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a foundational role—designed for a creative self-starter who can work independently while also collaborating across teams. With the support of the CAO and the broader Advancement team, the Leadership Gift Officer will:

• Lead and grow a portfolio of leadership and planned giving donors by developing and executing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the CAO, CEO, Communications Manager, Program staff, and Advancement colleagues—to align fundraising efforts to organizational priorities and campaigns.
• Build and manage systems to support donor engagement, including CRM tracking, proposals, and reports.
• Act as a visible ambassador for Ellis, fostering a culture of philanthropy.
• The advancement team’s annual fundraising goal for FY26 is $1.9 million. The FY28 goal is already as at least $3.2 million to maintain new initiatives launched this year.