Major Gifts Director

Senior fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity donors. This is a highly visible, externally facing role requiring strong relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and hands-on execution. The Major Gifts Director works collaboratively across the Development team and with organizational leadership to expand contributed revenue and support long-term growth. Reports to the Deputy Director.

Responsibilities

• Major Gifts & Donor Acquisition
  • Build, manage, and grow a robust major gifts portfolio, with emphasis on prospects capable of making significant ($10k+) or transformational ($100k+) gifts.
  • Identify new donor prospects and move them through the donor lifecycle from discovery to solicitation.
  • Lead institutional funding strategy in collaboration with Strategic Leadership Team, Executive Director, and Board Members.
  • Represent the Center in the community to build awareness and philanthropic support.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all donor interactions.
• Collaboration with Development Operations & Annual Fund
  • Partner with the Senior Manager of Development Operations to coordinate the intake of new and renewing donors into the annual stewardship cycle.
  • Work closely with the Development team to ensure seamless handoff of newly acquired donors into stewardship, benefits fulfillment, and ongoing engagement.
  • Collaborate with the Development team to align major gifts strategies with organizational priorities and capital needs.
  • Contribute to the evolution of donor offerings and mission-based engagement opportunities for high-capacity donors.
  • Maintain accurate documentation for moves management and donor tracking.
  • Support the evolution of the Development team’s roles and responsibilities as the organization grows.
• Board & Leadership Engagement
  • Lead the Development Committee of the Board of Directors as the staff liaison.
  • Prepare briefing materials and strategic guidance for Executive Director and Board members participating in major donor meetings.
  • Support Board prospect identification and cultivation planning.
  • Provide insight on major gifts strategy as needed to organizational leadership.
• Events & Campaign Support
  • Provide fundraising leadership for the Center’s signature gala, String Fling, including efforts underway for the 2027 event (April 17, 2027).
  • Provide strategic direction for sponsorship development, donor cultivation, and stewardship related to fundraising events, anniversary initiatives, and future campaigns.
• Team Collaboration
  • Serve as a senior fundraising partner within the Development team.
  • Collaborate with Operations, Grants, and Membership teams through the leadership of the Senior Manager of Development Operations.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Seven or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including significant experience in major gifts with demonstrated success closing five- and six-figure gifts.
  • Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and institutional funders.
  • Proven ability to build fundraising pipelines and move prospects through the donor lifecycle.
  • Experience partnering with executive leadership and Boards of Directors.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Proficiency with donor databases, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in arts, culture, education, museums, performing arts, or nonprofits with diverse contributed revenue streams.
  • Knowledge of fundraising events, sponsorship development, campaign planning, and board engagement.
  • Active CFRE or engagement with AFP or other professional fundraising organizations.
  • Familiarity with prospect research, wealth screening, and donor analytics tools.

Pay

$100,000 annually

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package including vacation, sick, and personal days
• Health benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan