Director of Individual and Major Giving

About The James Beard Foundation

The James Beard Foundation(“JBF”) is a vital cultural institution with deep roots honoring and advancing the culinary arts industry. JBF’s mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard ofgood food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. As a 501(c) (3) national non-profit organization, JBF brings its mission to life through the annual James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused initiatives and programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country.

The Development Team is responsible for generating over $7 million in philanthropic support in FY27, with a goal to grow to $10M annually by FY29-30. All members of the Development team work to cultivate and support a culture of philanthropy within the organization and represent JBF externally in front of current and prospective donor audiences.

The Director of Individual and Major Giving is a frontline fundraiser and key member of JBF’s Development team. Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy, this role manages a portfolio of individual donors and major gift prospects, with responsibility for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts across giving levels — with particular focus on building JBF’s major gifts pipeline.

The Director leads individual giving strategy, partners with the VP on high-level donor relationships, and works closely with the Development Manager, who provides operational and administrative support across the department.

• Manage a portfolio of individual and major gift donors and prospects; lead all phases of the donor cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy to identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects ($10,000+); prepare briefings, donor profiles, and talking points for high-level meetings and asks
• Develop and execute strategies to upgrade mid-level donors into the major gifts pipeline;identify
  
  Patron Program members and Greens donors with major gift potential
• Oversee the Young Professionals Committee to ensure they have the direction and collateral they need to act as JBF ambassadors, helping to raise awareness and funds throughout the country.

• Develop and implement a personalized stewardship plan for individual and major gift donors, including touchpoints, impact reporting, and recognition
• Develop compelling, tailored solicitation materials and proposals for major gift prospects; collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy and other senior staff on high-level gift asks
• Draft and edit donor correspondence, acknowledgements, case-for-support narratives, and other communications that advance individual and major gift relationships
• Coordinate with the Development Manager to ensure donor communications calendars, acknowledgements, and stewardship materials are executed on schedule

• Lead proactive prospect research to identify and qualify individual major gift prospects; build and maintain a robust pipeline of donors with capacity at the $10,000+ level
• Prepare in-depth donor profiles, wealth assessments, and briefing materials in advance of cultivation meetings, events, and solicitations
• Conduct regular wealth screenings and philanthropic interest assessments; match prospects to JBF funding priorities and engagement opportunities

• Assist the Development Manager and VP of Philanthropy in managing the Patron Program, with a focus on identifying Patron-level donors with major gift potential and developing upgrade strategies to advance them into major giving conversations
• Leverage cultivation events, Annual Gala, and Patron Program gatherings as opportunities to deepen relationships with major gift prospects and donors
• Serve as the primary liaison with the James Beard Young Patrons; build and steward relationships with Young Patron members to deepen engagement and cultivate pathways toward major giving
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy and Director of Institutional Giving to align individual…