Manager of Contributing Members and Major Gifts

Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs.

For more information, visit us online anicgardens.org.

Along with the mission of bringing plants to people, our Core Values are a fundamental driver of the Gardens culture. They are:

We are devoted to an institutional, environmental and human sustainability.

We champion inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for all we encounter, and also support programmatic, ecological and plant diversity.

We make connections with all people using a lens of inclusion, equity and responsiveness.

We believe ever-evolving public gardens change the world and lead to positive transformation of human spirit and knowledge.

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Full Time Manager of Contributing Members and Major Gifts in our Development Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Applications will be accepted through November 15, 2026 or until a candidate is found

This position supports the fundraising efforts of the Development Department through the development and execution of a robust major and planned giving program to include, but not be limited to, the following: donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship encompassing major gifts, contributing memberships, and legacy giving programs. This position manages the donor Customer Relationship Management systems with focus on maximization. This position works collaboratively within department as well as with IT and membership to keep Customer Relationship Management systems at the highest possible level with seamless customer facing applications.

Provides departmental leadership and the request of the Director of Development.

• Joint responsibility for fundraising for the Master Development Plan for Chatfield Farms (with DOD).
• Cultivates, solicits and stewards prospects for select major gifts to programmatic and desired activities across all operational sites.
• Personally solicits, alone or in partnership with volunteers or staff, selected prospects.
• Manages the capital campaign prospect list for assignment to the CEO, Director of Development, the Major Gifts Manager and volunteers from identification, education, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Administers regular communications with all staff and volunteers with campaign responsibilities on prospect management, moves, successes and next steps.

• Cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual members with membership levels as assigned.
• Works with other development staff, membership department and capital campaign for all contributing members ($2,500 and above).
• Coordinates fulfillment of contributing membership benefits with the Development team, including concert benefits, ticketed events, the Plant Sale Preview Party, and garden consultations.
• Collaborates with the Annual Giving Manager and colleagues on the membership team to identify members for potential upgrade and to develop strategies to increase their membership levels.