Executive Brief
Directors of Philanthropy (3 Positions)
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Organization: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) is the Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children, helping cover the cost of attending post-high school, undergraduate, and career and technical education programs. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation was established to honor the service and sacrifice of Marines and their families.
The MCSF has awarded scholarships valued at more than $220 million to honor the families of those who have served.
Today’s generation of Marines have made unprecedented sacrifices. And while there are many ways to honor our Nation’s heroes, there is no organization closer to the intersection of real need and lasting impact than the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
MCSF Facts:
MCSF Demographics Report:
Publications and Financials:
Scholarship Recipient Map:
MCSF Leadership Spotlight
Ted Probert - President and CEO
Ted Probert
President and CEO
Ted Probert joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2018. Serving in the Marine Corps Reserves for 21 years, he retired as a LtCol in 2014. Ted brings more than 30 years of development experience to MCSF, highlighted by his time at Phillips Exeter Academy as both campaign director for The Exeter Initiatives, which raised $352 million, and the Director of Institutional Advancement. Currently the President and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation, Ted works closely with the Board of Directors on strategic direction, attends events across the Nation and manages all business affairs. A large part of his work is heightening the visibility of the Scholarship Foundation in order to serve more Marine families. Ted and his wife, Andi, reside in Alexandria, VA and have two children, Campbell and Tanner.
Courtney Balson - Chief Advancement Officer
Courtney Balson
Chief Advancement Officer
Courtney Balson joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2011 as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. She quickly became integral in enhancing the Foundation's stewardship initiatives and played a pivotal role in establishing its dedicated Stewardship Department. As Chief Advancement Officer, Courtney oversees the Scholarship Foundation’s fundraising efforts, ensuring the success of our various revenue-driving programs including Development, Communications, National Events, Grants, and the Fidelis Fund. Her primary focus is on enhancing engagement with current investors and cultivating new partners dedicated to our mission. Courtney earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University and holds a master’s degree in education and Learning from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Porter Hayes - Senior Director of Philanthropy
Porter Hayes
Senior Director of Philanthropy
Porter Hayes joined the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation in 2024 as the Senior Director of Philanthropy, bringing a deep commitment to advancing educational access and a strong belief in the Foundation’s mission. With over a decade of experience at Phillips Exeter Academy, Porter most recently served as a Regional Director of Major Gifts in the Office of Institutional Advancement. He was part of a team that raised over $100 million for the school’s need-blind admissions initiative. Porter also contributed significantly to the school during his five years in the admissions office, chairing the 9th grade admissions committee and serving on the financial aid committee.
At the Foundation, Porter works closely with the Directors of Philanthropy and the Director of Development Strategy and Research, focusing on the mission of honoring Marines by educating their children. Porter earned his undergraduate degree from Denison University, where he was a member of the varsity lacrosse team. He and his wife, Ellee, reside in Exeter, New Hampshire with their two sons, Bode and Wyatt.
The Opportunity: Directors of Philanthropy (3 Positions)
MCSF - Directors of Philanthropy - Job Description (PDF Download)
Position Summary
The Director of Philanthropy is an essential member of the Advancement Team, responsible for enhancing the high-level individual investor program thereby increasing the support for the mission of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. The Director of Philanthropy will maintain a portfolio of major gift investors and prospects and is responsible for developing strategies tailored to each investor to strengthen their commitment to the Foundation’s mission.
There are three regional positions available. Regions include: West, Midwest, and Southeastern United States.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Grow and manage a pipeline of investors with major giving capacity ($25K+) while maintaining a portfolio of 150 active investors and prospects.
- 150 donor meetings annually, including virtual meetings.
- Goal of raising $500,000-$1 million in the first year and then $1.5+ million annually.
- Solicit and close 5 and 6 figure gifts to support mission objectives and initiatives.
- Develop and achieve short and long-term fundraising goals and strategies within your region with members of the C-suite and Advancement Department.
- Utilize prospect research tools to identify and prioritize relationships for cultivation to build a major gift portfolio of first-time and renewal investors. Utilize the moves management system to ensure investors are giving to their capacity.
- Identify, cultivate, and steward major gift prospects and investors through meetings, face-to-face interactions, phone calls, and e-mails to increase engagement and to maximize philanthropic support.
- Work in collaboration with the National Events Program staff and event committee chairs to connect major gift prospects and facilitate investor involvement with Foundation events.
- Prepare and distribute solicitation materials including proposals, gift intention agreements, solicitation letters, and other materials as needed.
- Actively travel to engage with current and potential investors.
- Contribute to the overall success of the Foundation’s mission and vision by performing other duties as assigned.
Education and/or Experience:
- Minimum of 5+ years of development, fundraising, and stewardship experience in a nonprofit, or equivalent sales experience.
- Successful experience working with individual investors and personally closing 5- and 6-figure gifts.
- A bachelor’s degree is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Preferred Experience:
- Successful experience working with individual investors and personally securing 7-figure gifts.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and core values of teamwork, trust and integrity, and drive and enthusiasm for results.
- Familiarity with best practices for investor portfolio management, including identification, qualification, cultivation, proposal discussion, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Demonstrated ability to marshal best practices, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial skills to develop a complete set of approaches to expanding an investor base.
- Ability to work in a team environment with autonomy, take initiative, and be proactive.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences through written and verbal communication.
- Must have a professional demeanor and the ability to handle confidential information.
- Demonstrated skills in understanding and utilizing a CRM database, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, and advanced Excel.
Working Conditions
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Headquarters located in Alexandria, VA. This position is eligible for remote work.
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Must be able to travel 40-50% of the time, primarily but not limited to the assigned region; quarterly visits to the Headquarters office in Alexandria, VA are also required.
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Flexibility to work outside of business hours (evenings and weekends) as needed to accomplish job responsibilities.
Applications & Nominations
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner, Boston
lvuona@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Lindsey Gale
Executive Search Consultant, Boston
lgale@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Lindsey Gale has extensive experience in social impact with nearly 25 years of success in executive search, fundraising and consulting. She is an accomplished recruiter, fundraiser, and community influencer, and applies these skills to help individuals and a variety of non-profit organizations achieve their goals.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
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