Director of Philanthropy & Major Gifts

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Director of Philanthropy – Major Gifts serves as the lead frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors in support of the Foundations strategic priorities. This position builds meaningful, long-term relationships with individuals, families, family foundations, and philanthropic leaders capable of making transformational investments in the mission.

The Director manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, develops individualized engagement strategies, and partners closely with the President & CEO, Chief Advancement Officer, Foundation Board members, and volunteer leaders to secure significant philanthropic investments. Success in this role is measured by building lasting relationships that result in increased philanthropic support and a growing pipeline of future major and planned gifts.

Staff Supervision: To Be Determined

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gift Fundraising

- Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with the Foundations annual and long-term fundraising priorities.

- Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–175 qualified major gift donors and prospects.

- Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each assigned donor.

- Conduct regular face-to-face donor visits and meaningful relationship-building activities.

- Solicit leadership, major, and principal gifts, including multi-year commitments.

- Prepare compelling gift proposals, investment opportunities, and impact reports tailored to donor interests.

Donor Relationship Management

- Build authentic, long-term relationships with donors, prospective donors, professional advisors, and family foundations.

- Identify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, networking, and community engagement.

- Maintain consistent stewardship through personal communication, recognition, and impact reporting.

- Ensure all donor interactions are accurately documented within the organizations CRM.

Foundation Development

- Expand the Foundations pipeline of qualified major gift prospects.

- Collaborate with leadership to identify philanthropic opportunities that align donor passions with organizational priorities.

- Assist in developing naming opportunities, endowment giving opportunities, and strategic funding initiatives.

- Support planned giving conversations and coordinate with professional advisors as appropriate.

Executive & Board Partnership

- Partner closely with the President & CEO and Chief Advancement Officer to develop strategies for high-capacity donors.

- Prepare leadership for donor meetings through research, briefing materials, and solicitation strategies.

- Engage Foundation Board members and volunteer leaders in cultivation and stewardship efforts.

- Support board fundraising initiatives and philanthropic engagement.

Campaign Support

- Participate in capital, comprehensive, and special fundraising campaigns.

- Develop customized proposals for campaign priorities.

- Track campaign progress related to assigned donors and prospects.

- Assist in donor recognition and campaign stewardship activities.

Collaboration

- Work collaboratively with Corporate Philanthropy, Annual Giving, Grants, Marketing, and Programs to provide a seamless donor experience.

- Coordinate with Advancement Operations to ensure accurate donor records, reporting, forecasting, and prospect management.

- Partner with program leadership to communicate measurable outcomes and demonstrate donor impact.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree and/or Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience with an emphasis on major gifts. Demonstrated success securing five-, six-, and preferably seven-figure philanthropic commitments. Experience managing complex donor portfolios and cultivation strategies. Experience working with executives, governing boards, and volunteer leaders. Experience participating in capital or comprehensive campaigns preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Deep understanding of major gift fundraising principles and moves management.

- Knowledge of planned giving concepts and philanthropic vehicles.

- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

- Strong strategic planning and donor qualification abilities.

- Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills.

- Ability to inspire philanthropic investment through compelling storytelling and mission impact.

- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.

- Experience using donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, Virtuous, or similar.

- High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Key Success Metrics

- Deep understanding of major gift fundraising principles and moves management.

- Knowledge of planned giving concepts and philanthropic vehicles.

- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

- Strong strategic planning and donor qualification abilities.

- Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills.

- Ability to inspire philanthropic investment through compelling storytelling and mission impact.

- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.

- Experience using donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, Virtuous, or similar.

- High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Core Competencies

- Major Gift Fundraising

- Strategic Relationship Management

- Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

- Philanthropic Advising

- Executive Presence

- Strategic Communication

- Influence & Negotiation

- Collaboration

- Results Orientation

- Integrity & Confidentiality

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work Location : Most work is performed in the office. Remote work permitted up to two days per week after 90 days of employment and with Chief approval.

Mental and Physical Abilities : Duties are usually performed seated with occasional periods of standing or walking. Limited physical effort is required associated with lifting and carrying objects (less than 25 lbs).

Working Conditions: Work may be performed but is not limited to an office environment. This position requires frequent local travel for donor meetings, occasional regional and national travel, attendance at evening and weekend fundraising events, and the ability to represent the Foundation professionally in community settings.

Essential Functions : This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.  It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.

Core Values:

Must demonstrate/live our organization’s core values:

- We are child-centered, family-focused, and community-driven.

- We act with dignity and compassion in all that we do.

- We recognize our staff as our greatest asset.

- We operate as a seamless team

DCAC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and we believe in an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.