Director of Major Gifts

Social Impact Partners · Westport, CT · 4 wk ago

HybridBusiness Development$15–$20/hrPart-time

About the role

Social Impact Partners (SIP) seeks a Director of Major Gifts to lead and grow a high-impact major gifts fundraising program including individuals, corporations, and local and national foundation grants at a pivotal moment in the organization's trajectory.

Responsibilities

Lead SIP's major gifts fundraising strategy across individuals, corporations, and local and national foundation grants in partnership with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Board of Directors.
Increase the number of donors to ensure that SIP has a diversified revenue base.
Prospect Identification & Research
- Map and assess the high-net-worth philanthropic landscape in Connecticut.
- Identify national foundations aligned with SIP's mission and strategy that may support SIP.
- Mine SIP's donor network of supporters, volunteers, and Board members for financial support and for introductions to other potential donors.
- Identify and research potential individual donors.
- Develop and qualify a portfolio of prospective donors capable of giving at the six- and seven-figure level.
Donor Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship
- Secure and conduct face-to-face meetings with prospects (80% of time).
- Present the mission, impact and investment case of Social Impact Partners in a strategic, persuasive and compelling manner.
- Strategically move prospects through the donor pipeline toward investment in collaboration with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, members of the Board of Directors, and key stakeholder investors.
- Nurture strategic relationships with current donors to encourage renewals and increased support.
Fundraising & Goal Achievement
- Drive toward a target of $15 - $20 million in new funding (over 3 - 5 years).
- Develop and execute customized engagement and solicitation strategies.
- Close six- and seven-figure and multi-year gifts that align donor interests with organizational priorities.
Relationship Management
- Build authentic, trust-based relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families and foundations.
- Serve as the lead external representative of the organization in donor-facing contexts.
- Collaborate with internal teams, board members, and other volunteers to advance fundraising strategies and goals and steward and advance strategic donor partnerships.
- Organize targeted fundraising events to support donor cultivation.
- Work with marketing team to develop communications that support fundraising strategies.
Reporting and Analysis
- Prepare reports on fundraising performance and donor/foundation cultivation pipeline.

Qualifications

Highly skilled relationship builder, particularly with external prospects and donors.
Experience stewarding diverse donors/funders.
Fundraising or Sales Expertise
- Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, high-end sales, or business development.
Background in higher education development, healthcare philanthropy, nonprofit development, or financial sales strongly preferred.
Knowledge of and experience in the Connecticut fundraising landscape.
Track Record of Success
- Demonstrated ability to close multiple six- and seven-figure commitments.
- Proven experience building a donor or client base through prospecting, without relying on pre-existing lists.
Skills & Attributes
- Exceptional interpersonal, networking, and relationship-building skills.
- Persuasive communicator with strong executive presence.
- Strategic fundraiser with a track record of strong donor base growth and increasing support.
- Proven experience writing compelling proposals with strong writing and editing skills.
- Experience working closely with senior leadership and Boards on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and revenue growth.
- Self-motivated, a bias toward action, results-driven.
- A high comfort level spending the majority of time externally and securing meetings with new prospects.
- Strong technology skills, including proficiency with MS Office Suite, Salesforce, internet/wealth screening tools, and AI.

Benefits

This opportunity is intentionally designed for a seasoned fundraising professional who is looking to make a significant impact without the demands of a traditional full-time position. The role is expected to average approximately 60% time over the course of the year, with flexibility in how that time is distributed across weeks and seasons.

SIP values results, relationship-building, and responsiveness, and is open to creative arrangements that accommodate both the successful candidate's needs and the organization's fundraising priorities. SIP recognizes the strategic importance of this role and offers a compensation package that includes a competitive annual base salary range of $80,000-$100,000 for this 60%-time position, commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as performance-based incentives aligned with fundraising growth, major gift and foundation fundraising success, and the development of long-term philanthropic partnerships.

Part-time employees working at least 25 hours/week are eligible for pro-rated paid vacation and sick time, participation in SIP's medical, dental, life insurance plans, and participation in SIP's 401K retirement savings plan.

Work Location and Requirements

This is a hybrid, primarily field-based role, with approximately 80% of time spent meeting with donors, prospects, and partners throughout Connecticut and 20% devoted to administrative, planning, and internal meetings.

SIP maintains a flexible hybrid work policy and provides office space for staff members. Because this is a frontline fundraising role, occasional evening and weekend commitments are required to accommodate donor meetings, cultivation events, and community engagements.

The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel regularly throughout Connecticut and must be able to maintain a regular in-person presence with donors and prospects throughout Connecticut, regardless of primary residence.