Director, Major Gifts

The Director, Major Gifts leads the Major Gifts team which is responsible for achieving fundraising goals by engaging individual high-level donors to support the mission and strategic plan of the organization. The Director, Major Gifts is a strategic thinker, has extensive experience engaging donors and is able to collaborate with staff and volunteers to build rapport, identify opportunities and influence positive outcomes.

This position will oversee a team of three major gift officers providing guidance, training, and support as needed. This includes setting goals and expectations for individual team members, supervising moves management plans, monitoring performance, and providing feedback to ensure that fundraising goals are met or exceeded as well as managing an existing major donor portfolio. The Director, Major Gifts is part of the Fund Development Leadership Team and works in tandem with Directors of Corporate Giving, Development Operations and Institutional Giving.

End date

May 31, 2026

Opportunity type

Job

Category

• Oversee the management of major gift officers, providing strategic guidance to empower and grow the strengths of the team for fundraising success. Coach and train newer fundraisers as needed to optimize performance.
• Collaborate with development and marketing leadership teams to ensure optimal donor management and engagement.
• Lead the management of major gift portfolios including moves into and out of portfolios as well as leading portfolio meetings.
• Develop an annual strategy to secure and increase major gifts. Establish and monitor key performance metrics for the Foodbank’s major giving program to ensure growth and provide course correction when needed.
• Execute strategies to identify, research, cultivate and solicit qualified prospects for major gifts. In collaboration with Gift & Estate Planning Officer, identify opportunities to cultivate and solicit endowment gifts and planned gifts.
• Engage major gift officers in professional development to strengthen organizational achievement of strategic goals; motivate and develop team for significant organizational growth.
• Collaborate with donor services team to ensure accurate reporting and tracking of metrics in Raiser’s Edge.
• Prepare and facilitate briefings with CEO and other senior leaders to engage donors with face‑to‑face visits and other activities with leadership.
• Forge and maintain positive relationships with internal and external Foodbank stakeholders, as well as with professionals in the local non‑profit and fundraising communities.
• Help foster a culture of philanthropy and teamwork throughout the Foodbank.
• Provide oversight of the revenue and expenses, ensuring major gift officers have the resources and tools needed for success.
• Represent the organization at public events and partake in presentations to donor groups, community groups and at special events when needed; evening and weekend hours included.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, accountability standards to donors, and ensure compliance with the AFP fundraising code of ethics and standards of professional conduct.
• Appropriately represent the Foodbank to donors, volunteers and other members of the community.
• Perform other duties, as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Communications, English or Business. CFRE preferred.
• Five to ten years of direct fundraising experience with a major gifts and 5 + years managing fund development staff. Portfolio management skills preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Progressive experience in successful development programs and knowledge of “best practices” in development.
• Passionate advocate for closing the food insecurity gap.
• Knowledge of diverse groups, working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity and appreciation to cultural differences.
• Ability to discern financial documents and concisely communicate results.
• Ability to present educational material in an engaging manner and guide others to develop knowledge that will enhance their understanding of the Foodbank’s mission.
• Must be able to work independently and anticipate reporting and…