Lindauer Tapped by the Jewish Theological Seminary to Find Major Gifts Officer

October 8, 2020 – For not-for-profit organizations, these are particularly challenging days. Declining support from government sources, increased demand for their services and competition for donor dollars are just a few of the issues that charitable groups must overcome to stay afloat each year. With COVID-19, donations are down even further. So it is that roles like the major gift officer become all the more critical.

Simply put, major gift officers are top-level fundraisers. They identify potential donors, cultivate relationships and, above all, raise much-needed funds from key supporters. For many non-profits, MGOs are, in a word, indispensable. Recruitment firms that can find the right person to do the job are among a non-profit organization’s most valued partners. And for recruiters, the business of finding major gift officers is booming.

One such firm, Boston-based Lindauer has been called in by the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) to lead in its search for a major gifts officer. Heading the assignment is vice president Carmel Napolitano.

The search firm is seeking a major gifts officer to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward New York City region individual major gifts prospects and donors. The individual will be part of a seven-member frontline fundraising team that generates about $18 million annually in philanthropic gifts. He or she will be expected to be a relationship-focused fundraiser who will build strong relationships, cultivating and soliciting donors by effectively organizing events, dinners, and other small-scale and intimate gatherings.

Professional stature, an entrepreneurial but collaborative style, and an in-depth knowledge of New York philanthropy will be essential to succeed in this role, Lindauer said. The position calls for someone with at least five years of experience in the direct solicitation of five- and six-figure gifts from individuals. Candidates should have extensive knowledge of philanthropy and familiarity with Jewish philanthropists in the New York region. In the addition, non-profit wants candidates with a genuine and sincere interest in issues and topics related to Conservative Judaism. Hands-on experience in utilizing donor databases to create and manage prospect lists is also preferred.

Founded in 1886, the Jewish Theological Seminary has a mission to preserve the knowledge and practice of historical Judaism. Today, it is the leading institution of Jewish learning and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism in the U.S. It prepares senior leaders for congregations, schools, universities, federations, summer camps and Jewish cultural organizations worldwide. In addition to its degree programs, JTS also offers professional training programs through its various institutes, centers and conferences, as well as community-focused learning, including online classes, a pre-college summer institute and public lectures and events.

Serving Non-Profits 

Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals and academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. It has led searches for the Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin and the Cockrell School of Engineering, among others.


Lindauer Tapped to Find Alumni Relations Director for Seoul Foreign School
Lindauer is spearheading the search for a new director of alumni relations for the Seoul Foreign School (SFS) in South Korea, one of the leading international schools in Asia. Heading the assignment is vice president Carmel Napolitano. “The Seoul Foreign School is seeking an adventurous and energetic alumni relations and development professional to join the external affairs team as director of alumni relations to engage and invigorate SFS’s global alumni network,” said Lindauer.


A recognized leader in retained executive search for the non-profit sector, Ms. Napolitano brings over 15 years of search experience to Lindauer’s clients. Possessing a network that reaches from local to global, she has successfully completed leadership searches with advocacy, arts/culture, economic development, educational, environmental, global health, human services and other mission-driven organizations.

Prior to entering executive search, Ms. Napolitano held a range of roles in higher education fundraising and non-profit fundraising consulting for major U.S. organizations. These included professional positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University and serving as director of research and special projects at CCS Fundraising Inc., one of the world’s leading non-profit consultancies.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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