Director, Major Gifts

Purpose of Position

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic investments of $50,000 through $1,000,000 from individuals, families, private foundations, corporations, and other funders. Serving as a key member of the development team, this position develops and manages a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors and supports United Way of Dane County leadership and key volunteers in customized engagement and solicitation strategies.

This position is also responsible for building long-term relationships that advance the organization's mission and strategic priorities. The Director collaborates closely with organizational leadership, program staff, and volunteer leaders to secure significant philanthropic support while ensuring exceptional donor stewardship and partnership.

• Develop overall vision and strategies for major giving programs, achieving annual campaign and five-year revenue goals.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of Major Gift prospects and donors capable of making philanthropic investments of $50,000+ annually or through multi-year gift commitments.
• Identify, research and qualify new major gift prospects from individuals, foundations and corporations.
• Work collaboratively with the Grants and Major Gifts Program Manager and Community Impact Directors to write proposals for major gift prospects ensuring excellent donor experience and impact outcomes.
• Inform and maintain database and CRM process development for Major Gifts including report generation and usage to grow development success and donor stewardship.
• Oversee development and management of donor research on major gift prospects and donors to best prioritize where to focus staff and volunteer resources, as well as determine best “ask matches” (who, what, when, goal) for increased Plan for Community Well-Being impact.
• Collaborate with Tocqueville and Planned Giving Directors on Tocqueville and Major Gift recruitment events.
• Assist with creation of leadership and major gifts promotional and marketing materials, in coordination with Tocqueville Director and Marketing Department staff.
• Identify and develop growth strategies for individuals, private foundations, family offices and companies targeted for major gifts support.
• Monitor and evaluate donor engagement and major gift portfolio performance and pipeline development utilizing the database
• Track and report progress toward major gift revenue goals and key performance indicators.

• Execute Major Gift strategies to achieve annual campaign and revenue goals.
• Develop and manage portfolio of major gift renewals annually.
• Conduct donor visits in coordination with United Way of Dane County leadership and volunteers. This may include meetings and presentations to build meaningful relationships and advance prospects through the donor pipeline.
• Work collaboratively to develop compelling gift proposals and case statements and other fundraising materials tailored to donor interests and organizational funding priorities.
• Lead solicitation plans for prospects including preparing briefing materials, coordinating solicitation teams and supporting leadership and volunteer fundraisers.
• Develop and implement Major Gift recognition and stewardship program. Steward donors through timely reporting, impact communications, recognition opportunities and personalized engagement plans to encourage long term investment and increased giving.
• Manage and steward a portfolio of Tocqueville Donors, especially those with high potential for growth or Major Gifts.
• Support Tocqueville Director and Tocqueville cabinet in recruiting new Tocqueville donors.

• Lead the Major Gift Taskforce including volunteer recruitment, planning and facilitation.
• Represent Leadership Giving and Major Gifts activities to all United Way staff, Board of Directors and other key constituents including preparing and facilitating meetings and presentations with leadership volunteers and donors.
• Identify and recruit volunteers for…