Director of Major Gifts and Leadership Giving

About the role

The Director of Major Gifts & Leadership Giving leads Issue One’s major‑gift strategy, managing a portfolio of high‑capacity donors and driving revenue growth through strategic cultivation and solicitation.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to grow revenue from leadership donors giving $50,000+ annually.
• Manage a portfolio of 50‑75 major and leadership donor prospects, creating individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans.
• Conduct donor research, wealth screening and segmentation to identify new major‑gift prospects.
• Lead high‑touch donor engagements, including one‑on‑one meetings, small‑group events and cultivation gatherings.
• Track donor pipeline and moves‑management in Salesforce, monitoring performance and forecasting revenue.
• Partner with the CEO, Board and Executive Team to source and advance high‑capacity prospects.

Required profile

• 7‑10+ years of progressive experience in major‑gifts fundraising or relationship‑based sales.
• Proven success managing a portfolio of major donors and securing five‑ and six‑figure gifts.
• Experience working with executives, board members or senior leaders to cultivate high‑capacity donors.
• Familiarity with political advocacy or democracy‑reform nonprofit environments is highly preferred.

Required skills

• Proficiency with Salesforce donor database.
• Experience using iWave research tools.