Director of Major Gifts

Issue One • Washington, DC

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Issue One is committed to protecting the rule of law and winning game-changing reforms to fix America’s broken political system and ensure it works for everyone. Since 2014, Issue One has worked to educate the public and Congress to pass legislation to increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen U.S. elections. The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for designing and executing Issue One's 501(c)3 major gifts program, managing a portfolio of high-value donor relationships, and driving revenue growth through strategic cultivation and solicitation. This role works closely with the Executive Team and Board of Directors to steward top donors, develop compelling proposals, and ensure that major gifts strategies are data-informed and aligned with organizational priorities. The Director of Major Gifts reports to the VP of Philanthropy and serves as the primary relationship manager for Issue One's major donor portfolio. The VP maintains their own portfolio of principal and transformational gift prospects ($50K+), while the Director manages the $10K-$50K portfolio and supports the VP's cultivation strategies for top donors.

Requirements

• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, donor relations, or relationship-based sales
• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of major donors or high-value clients with proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts
• Experience working with donor databases (Salesforce preferred) and research tools (iWave)
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to connect authentically with high-net-worth individuals
• Strong written and verbal communication with ability to craft compelling donor narratives and proposals
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complex donor pipeline
• Strategic thinking with comfort making independent decisions about donor engagement
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently while collaborating across teams
• Comfort with metrics-driven approach to fundraising and portfolio management
• Understanding of fundraising best practices, moves management and philanthropic trends
• Familiarity with democracy reform and the U.S. political system

Nice To Haves

• Experience with political advocacy, nonprofit fundraising, or democracy reform is highly preferred. Candidates should be comfortable with Issue One's bipartisan approach to democracy reform and able to authentically engage donors across the political spectrum.

Responsibilities

• Major Gifts Portfolio Management (60%) Lead and grow Issue One's major donor program (gifts of $10,000+), managing a personal portfolio of 75-100 major donor prospects and donors
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each portfolio donor
• Conduct donor research, wealth screening, and strategic segmentation to identify and qualify new major gift prospects
• Make 5-10 donor visits per month (in-person or virtual) to advance relationships and secure gifts
• Draft compelling proposals, reports, and updates tailored to individual donor interests and organizational priorities
• Support donor cultivation in-person events throughout the country (with domestic travel expected approximately once per quarter)
• Track and manage the donor pipeline using RFM analyses and strategic moves management
• Meet or exceed annual major gifts revenue goals
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Foundations to identify prospects who may be appropriate for both individual and institutional giving strategies, and coordinate cultivation approaches for donors who give through both channels.
• Executive and Board Partnership (20%) Support the VP of Philanthropy and CEO in their major donor cultivation efforts by preparing briefing materials, coordinating logistics, and managing follow-up. The Director does not directly manage the CEO's or VP's donor portfolios but serves as a strategic partner in moving those relationships forward.
• Coordinate with the Executive Team on major donor cultivation efforts, including briefings, meeting preparation, and follow-up
• Partner with the Board of Directors on major gifts engagement, providing strategic guidance and support for board member fundraising activities
• Prepare leadership for donor meetings with briefing materials, talking points, and strategic recommendations
• Facilitate introductions and connections between donors and organizational leadership
• Support the VP of Philanthropy in staffing the Board's Philanthropy Committee and Major Gifts Task Force by preparing briefing materials, coordinating logistics, managing follow-up, and attending meetings as needed to provide portfolio updates and operational support
• Donor Stewardship and Communications (15%) Serve as primary relationship manager for portfolio donors, building trust through consistent, personalized communication
• Coordinate tailored stewardship efforts, including monthly touchpoints, impact updates, and event invitations
• Draft donor-specific communications including thank-you letters, impact reports, and campaign updates
• Recruit and support donor participation in events, briefings, and organizational activities
• Data Management and Reporting (5%) Ensure accurate and timely logging of donor contacts, next steps, and relationship notes in Salesforce.
• Track revenue, donor activity, and progress toward fundraising goals
• Generate reports on portfolio performance and major gifts pipeline health
• Collaborate with the Philanthropy Operations Manager to maintain data integrity and donor records

Benefits

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
• Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance.
• They are also eligible to be reimbursed for stepping outside of their comfort zone and doing something they have never done before.
• All staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed