Assistant Director of Major Gifts

Assistant Director of Major Gifts

Full-time, Exempt

Reports to Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy

Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is seeking a passionate, driven individual with the desire to learn, grow, and excel in a culture that values every member of the team. DSF was named one of the Denver's Top Workplaces in 2026 (7 year recipient of Top Workplaces), a testament to our team and to our intentionality in co-creating a positive, inclusive work environment.

When you join the DSF team, you will enjoy a supportive, and innovative environment where your work has a profound impact on the lives of students and their families.

As a nonprofit organization, DSF's mission is to inspire and empower DPS students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions of higher education, by providing the tools, knowledge, and financial resources essential for success. By embodying the core values of equity, innovation, leadership, learning, relationships, and integrity in everything we do. DSF strives to be a leader within the community, as we constantly seek to improve our services, we build strong relationships with college staff members, partners, students, team members and the broader community.

We are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, believing in the value and ability of all students and team members.

We seek candidates who will model, live, and reinforce DSF's mission and core values with colleagues, students, families, and the broader community. If you are passionate about the philosophy and mission of DSF, then we invite you to join us and help make college possible for Denver's students.

The Assistant Director of Major Gifts serves as a frontline fundraising leader and is responsible for executing Denver Scholarship Foundation's (DSF) individual giving strategy with a focus on soliciting major and midlevel gifts, reporting to the Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy. The Assistant Director leads the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors, with a focus on advancing relationships, increasing giving, and moving donors through the pipeline in alignment with established portfolio standards.

This individual manages a portfolio of donors and prospects and prioritizes relationship-driven engagement that balances stewardship with intentional growth strategies.

Working in close partnership with the Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy, this role contributes to revenue goals by executing and ensuring consistent, coordinated engagement across the donor journey. The Assistant Director collaborates across the Growth and Engagement team, including the Chief Growth & Engagement Officer, Director of Corporate Relations, Development Operations, and Marketing & Communications in support of DSF’s overall fundraising strategy.

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, leading all stages of the fundraising cycle from identification through stewardship
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies aligned with portfolio standards
• Implement tailored strategies across major and mid-level donors
• Actively manages and grows their portfolio of donors

• Execute DSF's individual giving strategy in partnership with the Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy
• Drive progress toward revenue goals through portfolio management and donor engagement
• Maintain accurate pipeline tracking, donor activity, and performance metrics in Salesforce
• Regularly assess portfolio performance and adjust strategies to improve giving outcomes

• Partner with the Senior Director, Chief Growth & Engagement Officer, CEO, and volunteers to coordinate donor strategies and engagement
• Collaborate inter-departmentally to ensure aligned messaging and a cohesive donor journey
• Execute donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship strategies that enhance the overall donor experience
• Support strategic engagement for principal, planned, and endowment-level donors as appropriate
• Collaborates and coordinates with staff in all departments to maximize donor relationships and philanthropic giving

• Apply prospect research to identify, qualify, and prioritize new donors
• Contribute to broader strategies including annual giving, alumni engagement, events, and campaign efforts
• Support the development of a sustainable donor pipeline, with particular attention to mid-level donor growth
• Serve as a knowledgeable ambassador for DSF, effectively communicating mission, impact, and funding opportunities

• Required
  
  Skills and Abilities
• Ability to build strong relationships with a donor centric approach
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of major donors to develop relationships between them and DSF
• Dedication to promoting DSF's fundraising priorities through developing excellent working relationships with DSF staff, board, committees, and other volunteers
• Ability to…