Director of Major Gifts & Foundations

K9s For Warriors Inc•Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

About The Position

Determined to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the leading nonprofit organization providing Service Dogs to military Veterans nationwide suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma — at no financial cost to the Veteran. Founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, K9s For Warriors is committed to saving lives at both ends of the leash by primarily rescuing dogs and pairing them with Veterans in need. In order to continue the great work we’re doing, we’re looking to add a Director of Major Gifts & Foundations to our amazing team! The Director of Major Gifts & Foundations is a strategic leadership role responsible for designing, executing, and advancing a comprehensive major gift, foundation and planned giving program. This individual will play a critical role in strengthening fundraising performance, rebuilding momentum, and driving revenue growth across high-capacity donors, foundation partners, and legacy giving. The ideal candidate brings deep experience across these areas, a strong track record in closing six and seven figure gifts, and the leadership ability to elevate team performance.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong emphasis on major gifts, foundation relations, and/or planned giving and Capital Campaigns
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience managing projects and teams
Proven track record of securing six and seven figure gifts, including complex and blended gifts
Demonstrated experience building or expanding a planned giving or legacy program
Demonstrated experience rebuilding or scaling a major gifts program and improving team performance
Strong leadership and team management experience, including coaching and developing high-performing staff
Expertise in donor cultivation strategies, moves management, and relationship-based fundraising
Working knowledge of planned giving and related regulations
Experience collaborating with legal and financial professionals on estate and gift planning
Strong analytical skills with experience using CRM systems (Raisers Edge and/or Salesforce) and fundraising metrics to drive decisions
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
High level of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence in donor interactions
Knowledge of Raisers Edge, Microsoft Office Suite, and database best practices and management theory.

Nice To Haves

Strong dedication to the K9s For Warriors mission
Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills
Proven ability to lead, inspire, mentor, and develop a goal-oriented team
Enthusiasm and commitment to resource development and community impact work
Bachelor’s degree preferred; advanced degree preferred
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) or Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) preferred
Formal training or coursework in planned giving, nonprofit management, or philanthropy is a plus
Experience working in a national nonprofit organizational or similarly complex environment preferred
Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with high-capacity Donors, foundation executives, and professional advisors
High level of self-direction and orientation to achieve results

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive major gift, foundation and planned giving strategy aligned with organizational revenue goals
Assess current portfolio performance and implement data drive improvements to get the team on track to exceed goals
Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems for major gifts, grants, and planned giving team members
Partner with senior and executive leadership to align fundraising priorities with organizational growth initiatives
Build and execute multi-year strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Advise the CEO and CRO on matters related to fundraising and philanthropy; maintain effective working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff members, and individual donors
Collaborate with marketing, corporate partners, events, and finance teams
Manage a personal portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects, including the K9s For Warriors Board of Directors, with a focus on securing gifts of $25,000+
Lead cultivation and solicitation strategies for top-tier donors, including personalized engagement and stewardship plans
Identify, qualify, and develop new major gift prospects through research, networking, and relationship building
Oversee donor stewardship strategies to ensure long-term engagement and retention
Partner with senior leadership and board members to support high-level donor engagement and solicitations
Oversee the grants team, including assisting with foundation relations strategy, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional funders
Ensure the development of compelling grant proposals, reports, and impact narratives
Help the grants team expand the foundation pipeline and deepen relationships
Colorable with other departments to align funding opportunities with organizational initiatives
Develop and lead a comprehensive planned giving program, including bequests, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, and other legacy vehicles
Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors for estate and legacy gifts, integrating planned giving into major gift strategies
Partner with donors and their advisors (attorneys, financial planners, wealth managers) to structure and close planned gifts
Create marketing and outreach strategies to promote legacy giving opportunities and grow the planned giving pipeline
Establish stewardship and recognition programs for legacy donors
Ensure proper documentation, compliance, and administration of planned gifts in coordination with legal and finance teams
Provide training and support to development staff and leadership on incorporating planned giving conversations into donor management
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of major gifts, grants, and planned giving professionals
Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development
Conduct regular pipeline reviews and strategy sessions to improve outcomes
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance
Evaluate team structure and recommend adjustments to improve efficiency and results
Utilize CRM systems to track donor activity, pipeline progress, and revenue projections across all giving channels
Analyze fundraising data to inform strategy and improve performance
Prepare regular reports for senior and executive leadership