Director, Major Gifts

Location: New York

Company Description Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success.

We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description As Director, Major Gifts, you will build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, leading the full lifecycle of major gift fundraising, from identifying and cultivating new relationships to securing transformational philanthropic investments and stewarding long-term partnerships. You will develop individualized engagement strategies, partner closely with school and Home Office leaders, and connect donors to Uncommon Schools' mission through meaningful opportunities to invest in student success.

Your work will play a critical role in expanding philanthropic support and advancing our organizational priorities.

Portfolio Management & Fundraising Strategy Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships

Design and execute individualized strategies to align donor interests with Uncommon’s priorities

Develop proposals, letters of inquiry, and tailored communications to support fundraising efforts

Donor Engagement & Relationship Building Lead in-person and virtual engagement with donors through meetings, school visits, and curated experiences

Translate Uncommon’s impact into clear, compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic investment

Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship to strengthen long-term donor relationships

Prospect Identification & Network Expansion Identify and qualify new prospective donors through research, events, and outreach

Partner with internal stakeholders and leadership to expand access to new donor networks

Contribute to building a strong pipeline of high-capacity prospects

Pipeline Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration Maintain accurate donor records and pipeline data in Salesforce or similar systems

Forecast revenue and track progress toward fundraising goals

Collaborate with development, marketing, and program teams to align messaging and engagement strategies

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor's degree
10+ years of professional experience or an equivalent track record building and managing sophisticated major gift portfolios

Demonstrated experience in frontline fundraising, with a focus on major or principal gifts

Proven success managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts

Experience building trusted relationships with senior executives, trustees, philanthropists, or other high-profile stakeholders

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey mission and impact

Experience developing donor strategies, proposals, and engagement plans

Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM systems, including pipeline tracking and revenue forecasting

Preferred:

Familiarity with the New York City philanthropic landscape

Experience collaborating across teams to support fundraising strategy

Strong analytical skills to support planning and decision-making

Physical Requirements:

Minimal physical demands, including extended periods working at a desk

Not sure you meet every…