Director of Major Gifts

Social Impact Partners•Westport, CT

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Social Impact Partners (SIP) seeks a Director of Major Gifts to lead and grow a high-impact major gifts fundraising program including individuals, corporations, and local and national foundation grants at a pivotal moment in the organization’s trajectory. This is an entrepreneurial, senior-level opportunity for a seasoned development leader to secure transformative philanthropic investments that fuel systems-level change across Connecticut. The Director of Major Gifts will design and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit high-net-worth individuals and foundations capable of making six- and seven-figure and multi-year commitments. This role is well-suited for a sophisticated relationship builder with a demonstrated ability to close complex gifts, navigate long cultivation cycles, and engage donors around big, bold solutions to entrenched social challenges. The Director of Major Gifts will not inherit a large major donor portfolio. Instead, they will build one—developing new prospects and activating introductions through SIP’s volunteers, Board, existing donors, and an extensive cross-sector network. The organization’s leadership and Board are deeply committed to expanding SIP’s philanthropic partnerships and will actively support relationship development, donor engagement, and closing gifts. Success in this role requires someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial growth environment, who is motivated by SIP’s mission, who is energized by prospect development and strategic networking, and who brings both persistence and creativity to relationship building. Working closely with SIP’s leadership and Board, the Director of Major Gifts will help shape fundraising strategy, activate and steward high-level donor relationships, and develop proposals and donor communications that compellingly articulate SIP’s vision, impact, and path to scale. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable operating strategically and executing tactically—and can confidently serve as a senior ambassador for SIP with philanthropic partners.

Requirements

Highly skilled relationship builder, particularly with external prospects and donors
Experience stewarding diverse donors/funders
Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, high-end sales, or business development.
Background in higher education development, healthcare philanthropy, nonprofit development, or financial sales strongly preferred.
Knowledge of and experience in the Connecticut fundraising landscape.
Demonstrated ability to close multiple six- and seven-figure commitments.
Proven experience building a donor or client base through prospecting, without relying on pre-existing lists.
Exceptional interpersonal, networking, and relationship-building skills.
Persuasive communicator with strong executive presence.
Strategic fundraiser with a track record of strong donor base growth and increasing support.
Proven experience writing compelling proposals with strong writing and editing skills.
Experience working closely with senior leadership and Boards on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and revenue growth.
Self-motivated, a bias toward action, results-driven.
High comfort level spending the majority of time externally and securing meetings with new prospects.
Strong technology skills, including proficiency with MS Office Suite, Salesforce, internet/wealth screening tools, and AI.

Nice To Haves

The role is expected to average approximately 60% time over the course of the year, with flexibility in how that time is distributed across weeks and seasons.

Responsibilities

Lead SIP’s major gifts fundraising strategy across individuals, corporations, and local and national foundation grants in partnership with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Board of Directors
Increase the number of donors to ensure that SIP has a diversified revenue base
Map and assess the high-net-worth philanthropic landscape in Connecticut.
Identify national foundations aligned with SIP's mission and strategy that may support SIP
Mine SIP’s donor network of supporters, volunteers, and Board members for financial support and for introductions to other potential donors.
Identify and research potential individual donors.
Develop and qualify a portfolio of prospective donors capable of giving at the six- and seven-figure level.
Secure and conduct face-to-face meetings with prospects (80% of time).
Present the mission, impact and investment case of Social Impact Partners in a strategic, persuasive and compelling manner.
Strategically move prospects through the donor pipeline toward investment in collaboration with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, members of the Board of Directors, and key stakeholder investors.
Nurture strategic relationships with current donors to encourage renewals and increased support.
Drive toward a target of $15 - $20 million in new funding (over 3 – 5 years)
Develop and execute customized engagement and solicitation strategies.
Close six- and seven-figure and multi-year gifts that align donor interests with organizational priorities.
Build authentic, trust-based relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families and foundations.
Serve as the lead external representative of the organization in donor-facing contexts.
Collaborate with internal teams, board members, and other volunteers to advance fundraising strategies and goals and steward and advance strategic donor partnerships.
Organize targeted fundraising events to support donor cultivation
Work with marketing team to develop communications that support fundraising strategies
Prepare reports on fundraising performance and donor/foundation cultivation pipeline