Director, Major Gifts

A-B Tech Careers•Asheville, NC

About The Position

The Director, Major Gifts identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gift prospects and donors in support of the mission and priorities of A-B Tech and the A-B Tech Foundation. The role develops relationships with alumni, community leaders, corporations, and philanthropic partners to secure major gifts, increase donor engagement, and expand private support for student scholarships, academic programs, workforce development initiatives, capital projects, and other strategic priorities. The position manages a portfolio of approximately 75–125 major gift prospects and donors, develops individualized cultivation strategies, and collaborates with Foundation leadership, faculty, staff, and board members to achieve fundraising goals. The role is expected to personally generate $500,000 or more in annual philanthropic revenue through gifts of $10,000 and above, and manages a portfolio representing the Foundation’s highest-capacity donors and prospects.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Ten years of full-time or equivalent experience raising funds in WNC for colleges or universities.
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential.
Proficiency in a foreign language such as Spanish, an East Slavic language, and/or American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 75–125 major gift prospects and donors; identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals capable of making gifts of $10,000 or more.
Conduct personal visits, presentations, and stewardship meetings to strengthen donor relationships and secure philanthropic support.
Develop individualized donor engagement plans based on giving history, interests, and philanthropic capacity; create and implement moves-management strategies to advance prospects through the donor pipeline.
Partner with Foundation leadership to develop solicitation strategies and gift proposals; monitor progress toward fundraising goals and adjust strategies as needed.
Build and maintain relationships with business leaders, alumni, community organizations, and philanthropic partners; collaborate with Foundation Board members and college leadership to identify and engage prospective donors.
Support corporate giving and sponsorship initiatives that advance the College’s mission and strategic goals.
Collaborate with Advancement staff to support annual giving, special events, campaigns, and donor communications.
Work with college leadership, faculty, and staff to identify funding priorities and donor engagement opportunities.
Participate in Foundation and College events that support fundraising and community engagement efforts.
Maintain accurate donor records and contact reports within the donor database; prepare fundraising forecasts, donor activity reports, and portfolio analyses.
Track donor engagement activities and ensure timely documentation of donor interactions; maintain confidentiality of donor information and giving records.
Contribute to the College Vision, Mission, Values, and RISE statement.
Perform other duties as assigned.