Director of Major Giving

For over 50 years, Save the Sound has been at the forefront of environmental action throughout the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut, Westchester County, New York City and Long Island. As an organization, we build resilient communities while fighting climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers and coastlines. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands-on volunteer efforts.

The Director of Major Giving will be responsible for advancing relationships and raising funds from individuals, families, and family foundations. This includes managing the process of identifying, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts, planned giving and annual fund donors and prospects, and closing and stewarding gifts in a timely manner. Additionally, they will manage and grow a personal portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $10,000 or more, with an increasing focus on those capable of making 6 and 7 figure gifts.

This position will report to the Executive Vice President of Philanthropy and manage our major gift team. Key Responsibilities will include:

• Drive all major donor ($1,000 and over) fundraising streams (e.g. annual major giving, campaign giving and planned giving) to achieve organizational individual giving goals creating giving strategies and opportunities that align with programs and projects.
• Supervise and guide the Major Gift team, two Major Gift Managers and the Development Associate ensuring that organizational major donor and team goals are achieved. Set performance goals, build team capacity, and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on donor-centered fundraising.
• Personally cultivate and solicit a portfolio of 75-100 high-capacity prospects capable of making investments of $10,000 or more, with a focus on six- and seven-figure gifts. Drive a data-informed pipeline strategy from identification through stewardship.
• Lead the organization’s planned giving strategy, engaging donors in meaningful conversations about philanthropic legacy, estate planning, and long-term impact. Grow the planned giving pipeline as a strategic priority for organizational sustainability.
• Become part of our Sound Future Campaign team to complete a $12 Million campaign, 90% completed. Help shape the vision for post-campaign fundraising and long-term philanthropic growth.
• Maintain prompt and accurate records of donor interactions and strategies in the organization’s CRM.
• Direct major donor communication plan: drafting, production and mailing of major donor appeals, impact reports, and other materials necessary for major donor fundraising and coordinating on email and social media communications to align with plan.
• With the team, design and oversee a calendar of major donor cultivation events, including at least 4 major donor reception events and 3-5 field trips for major donors.

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in major gift fundraising, with proven success securing gifts of $100K+.
• Strong knowledge of and execution of best practices in major giving, donor engagement, and stewardship.
• Skilled in cultivating donor relationships aligned with organizational goals and donor interests.
• Superb written and verbal skills; able to craft…