Director Individual Giving and Philanthropy

Autism Speaks is seeking a front-line fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 100–120 individual donors and prospects with the capacity to make significant philanthropic contributions. The Director, Individual Giving & Philanthropy will lead donors through all stages of the moves management cycle, with a focus on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Director will work in close collaboration with the Vice President of Individual Giving, Director of Individual Giving & Philanthropy, regional Executive Directors, and other cross-functional partners to advance strategic donor engagement across key markets.

With a goal of generating $1 million in annual revenue, the ideal candidate will be a dynamic relationship builder with a track record of securing major gifts, a deep understanding of donor strategy, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

While the position is remote, ideal candidate will be located in the Mid-Atlantic, New Jersey, Eastern PA, New York state or New England markets (or open to qualified candidates that may sit outside of this region).

Major Gift Lead Generation, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship:

• Lead the development and growth of the major gift portfolio for Autism Speaks.
• Collaborate with the Community Engagement team to:
  • Serve as the strategic lead for major gift fundraising efforts in assigned markets.
  • Partner with Executive Directors to identify, qualify, and advance a pipeline of major gift prospects, leveraging local insights and relationships.
  • Maximize donor engagement and pipeline development through strategic participation in local events, identifying cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
  • Conduct regular strategy meetings with Executive Directors to review portfolio progress, align on donor approaches, and surface new opportunities.
• Implement proven major gift strategies to:
  • Identify and engage a greater number of new leads.
  • Increase the volume of new, qualified relationships onto the major gift portfolio.
  • Deepen relationships with those in the portfolio who have six, seven and eight-figure capacity.
  • Solicit gifts that support the priority programs of Autism Speaks with an emphasis on high five, six and seven plus figure gift conversations.
• Engage with colleagues and volunteers across the organization who can inform and help major gift lead generation activity for the region.
• Work with the VP, Independent Giving and Autism Speaks leadership to develop and implement thoughtful moves and experiences for the region’s major gift portfolio.
• Foster strong partnerships across departments, serving as a collaborative and solutions-oriented partner to internal teams. Contribute to a culture of shared success by supporting colleagues on the major gifts team and across the broader relationship development division, ensuring alignment and integration of fundraising strategies.
• Actively learn the programs and priority initiatives of Autism Speaks and convey this vision and work to donors and prospective donors. Seek to introduce appropriate donors and prospects to leadership and content experts throughout the relationship cultivation process.
• Seek to maximize giving capacity in solicitations with a particular emphasis on increased giving where and when appropriate.
• Have comfort with clear annual goals and weekly, monthly, quarterly measurement of activity toward these goals.
• Work with Development Operations team to guide back-office support, including prospect research, necessary to grow the region’s portfolio.
• Demonstrate discipline to prepare thoroughly for all donor visits and conduct pre- and post-visit briefings with staff/volunteer leadership.
• Offer input on the development of major gift donor materials and communications for the division overall and the region specifically.

• Meet or exceed agreed upon major gift revenue and key activity metric goals (each year).
• Forecast revenue from the region’s major gift portfolio on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.
• Remain current and have ability to analyze major gift…