Manager, Major Gifts

Manager, Major Gifts

The Manager, Major Gifts is responsible for the full cycle of major gift fundraising in support of the Sundance Institute. This includes managing a portfolio of approximately 125 current and prospective major gift ($25K+) donors, developing and executing solicitation strategies for major gift donors, and ensuring thoughtful stewardship. A key focus will be on building a strong donor pipeline of mid- to upper-level donors through proactive identification, cultivation, and engagement of new major gift prospects.

Working closely under the Associate Director, Individual Giving, the successful candidate will manage their time, resources, and workload effectively to stay productive and meet fundraising goals. This role requires discretion in navigating complex relationships and a proactive approach to supporting multiple fundraising campaigns. This position supports our commitment to engaging mission and values-aligned donors as a key frontline fundraiser to support our work through financial contributions and other methods of support.

This full-time position will be based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO to operate in a hybrid environment with in-office collaboration. Extended hours will be required during key Institute events and campaigns. Travel to other Institute offices, events, and donor visits will be required throughout the year.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Partnering with the Associate Director, Individual Giving to develop and implement high level major donor strategies, encompassing alumni and artist giving.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Artistic, Artist Programs, Festival, and Development teams to ensure donor engagement strategies authentically reflect the Institute's mission, creative community, and programmatic priorities.
• Initiating, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with a portfolio of prospects and donors (including major gifts, planned giving, and support for endowment campaigns).
• Partnering with Artist Program teams to engage and solicit major and prospective donors for program-specific gifts, including the Catalyst program.
• Reporting on major gift revenue to identify and present fundraising trends.
• Deepening long-term donor investment through relationship-centered engagement, stewardship, and philanthropic partnership.
• Supporting on the ground operations and facilitating meaningful donor meetings at the annual Catalyst Forum, at labs, and at donor events as needed.
• For the Manager, Major Gifts portfolio, overseeing major donor engagement strategy at the Sundance Film Festival, including meetings with donors.
• Providing regular revenue updates to the Development and Finance teams, including ensuring accuracy in revenue projections in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database and following up on the status of major gift opportunities.
• Representing Sundance Institute and the Development team at Institute events.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Minimum of 3 years of frontline fundraising experience within an arts, film, media or other culturally driven nonprofit organization required.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to translate artistic impact into compelling donor engagement opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with artists, creatives, cultural stakeholders, and philanthropists who support creative work.
• Knowledge of the independent film, arts, or creative funding landscape, including the motivations and priorities of donors who invest in artists and storytelling.
• Ability to develop and implement new fundraising strategies, and solicit and close major gifts.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of innovative fundraising strategies.
• Ability to build trust-based, authentic relationships across diverse donor, artist, and stakeholder communities. Strong organizational skills, including the ability to effectively prioritize and manage processes.

• Strong donor engagement and relationship management skills, including a proactive and thoughtful approach to donor communication and…