Director of Donor Engagement (Lead Major Gifts Officer)

Big Fish•Atlanta, GA

21d•Remote

About The Position

Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) is seeking a Director of Donor Engagement to report to the Chief Development Officer . This role is responsible for cultivating and stewarding strategic relationships with major donors, identifying new funding opportunities, and advancing sustainable philanthropic growth in support of FEE’s mission. The Director will lead major donor and foundation portfolio management, donor cultivation and stewardship, high-level prospecting, and long-term relationship-building with individuals and institutional partners.

Requirements

Deep passion for the ideas of classical liberalism
5+ years of experience in donor relations, major gifts fundraising, or a related field
Demonstrated success building and sustaining relationships with high-net-worth donors
Strategic thinker with a strong focus on personalized donor engagement and stewardship
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities
Persuasive communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
Comfortable in a results-driven environment
Willing and able to travel 20–30% of the time for donor meetings and events

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 125–150 major donors , including high-net-worth individuals and foundations
Plan and execute tailored cultivation and stewardship activities, including emails, mailed proposals, handwritten notes, calls, event invitations, and in-person or virtual meetings
Prepare for and lead donor meetings; ensure all interactions are accurately documented in Salesforce
Strategically connect donors with FEE’s President and program staff to advance relationships and funding opportunities
Develop and implement customized strategies to deepen engagement with major donors and philanthropic partners
Partner with the President to steward a select group of high-value donor relationships
Identify, research, and qualify new major donor and foundation prospects to expand FEE’s funding pipeline
Lead proactive efforts to uncover new funding opportunities across individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
Create personalized engagement plans aligned with donor interests, capacity, and philanthropic goals
Represent FEE in donor meetings and at events, strengthening relationships and increasing organizational visibility
Work closely with the President and Chief Development Officer to align donor strategy with organizational priorities
Produce clear, actionable reports on prospecting activity, donor engagement, and revenue trends
Serve as a liaison between donors and program teams, helping shape funding opportunities, pitches, and cross-department collaboration