Major Gifts 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.
• 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.
• 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.