Director of Major Gifts

Cary Academy•Cary, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for developing and executing individualized fundraising strategies for a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more. The role involves evaluating donor capacity, inclination, and engagement history to determine appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The Director will independently prioritize and manage a portfolio of major donors, advancing relationships and securing philanthropic support. This includes building and maintaining strategic relationships with current parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, and other key constituents to strengthen long-term engagement and giving. The role also involves conducting donor visits and engagement activities independently and in collaboration with senior leadership, including the Director of Development and Head of School. Identifying and qualifying prospective major donors through research, analysis, and relationship-building efforts is crucial. The position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in developing, adjusting, and implementing donor strategies and solicitation plans, and making recommendations to leadership regarding donor engagement strategies, gift opportunities, and fundraising priorities. Preparing and determining content, approach, and strategy for donor briefings, proposals, and stewardship plans aligned with institutional priorities is also a key responsibility. Collaboration with Development leadership and colleagues is expected to support organizational fundraising strategies, campaigns, and donor engagement initiatives. The role will provide input into fundraising strategy and planning, identifying opportunities to increase donor participation and elevate giving levels. Monitoring and evaluating progress toward individual and departmental fundraising goals, and adjusting strategies as needed to improve outcomes is essential. Analyzing donor engagement results and trends to inform decision-making and strategic planning, and maintaining accurate and strategic records of donor interactions, plans, and next steps within the institution’s database are required. The position represents the institution in interactions with donors and prospective donors, exercising judgment in managing relationships and communications. As a Cary Academy employee, active engagement in the school’s diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism work is expected in all aspects of professional responsibilities and interactions. Participation in required School professional development activities, including self-reflection and improvement of practice through the Professional Growth and Renewal Program, is mandatory. Completion of administrative and operational tasks, compliance with regulatory requirements and School policies, and use of designated technology assets and platforms are also required. Collaboration with the Information Services team for technology resources and performance of other assigned duties in support of divisional and school operations are part of the role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Five or more years of professional experience
At least three years of frontline fundraising, major gifts, leadership annual giving, or comparable development experience.
Experience in independent schools, higher education, or nonprofit philanthropy.
Experience managing a donor portfolio and meeting annual fundraising goals.
Success securing gifts of $25,000–$100,000+.
Experience working with volunteers, boards, and campaign leadership.

Nice To Haves

Certification and/or Credentials: n/a
Directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience may be considered in place of the above requirements.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute individualized fundraising strategies for a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more.
Evaluate donor capacity, inclination, and engagement history to determine appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Independently prioritize and manage a portfolio of major donors, determining actions required to advance relationships and secure philanthropic support.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with current parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, and other key constituents to strengthen long-term engagement and giving.
Conduct donor visits and engagement activities independently and in collaboration with senior leadership, including the Director of Development and Head of School.
Identify and qualify prospective major donors through research, analysis, and relationship-building efforts.
Exercise discretion and independent judgment in developing, adjusting, and implementing donor strategies and solicitation plans.
Make recommendations to leadership regarding donor engagement strategies, gift opportunities, and fundraising priorities.
Prepare and determine content, approach, and strategy for donor briefings, proposals, and stewardship plans aligned with institutional priorities.
Collaborate with Development leadership and colleagues to support organizational fundraising strategies, campaigns, and donor engagement initiatives.
Provide input into fundraising strategy and planning, including identifying opportunities to increase donor participation and elevate giving levels.
Monitor and evaluate progress toward individual and departmental fundraising goals, adjusting strategies as needed to improve outcomes.
Analyze donor engagement results and trends to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
Maintain accurate and strategic records of donor interactions, plans, and next steps within the institution’s database.
Represent the institution in interactions with donors and prospective donors, exercising judgment in managing relationships and communications.
Engage actively in the school’s diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism work in all aspects of your professional responsibilities and interactions.
Attend and actively participate in all required School professional development activities.
Engage authentically in processes of self-reflection and improvement of practice, including full participation in the Professional Growth and Renewal Program.
Complete all required administrative and operational tasks and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and School policies and procedures.
Use designated technology assets and platforms as directed by School policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with the Information Services team to research, implement and evaluate technology resources related to position responsibilities.
Perform other projects and duties as assigned in support of both divisional and school operations and initiatives.