Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy

Denver Scholarship Foundation•Denver, CO

2d•$114,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is seeking a passionate, driven individual with the desire to learn, grow, and excel in a culture that values every member of the team. DSF was named one of the Denver’s Top Workplaces in 2025 (6 year recipient of Top Workplaces), a testament to our team and to our intentionality in co-creating a positive, inclusive work environment. When you join the DSF team, you will enjoy a supportive, and innovative environment where your work has a profound impact on the lives of students and their families. As a nonprofit organization, DSF’s mission is to inspire and empower DPS students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions of higher education, by providing the tools, knowledge, and financial resources essential for success. By embodying the core values of equity, innovation, leadership, learning, relationships, and integrity in everything we do. DSF strives to be a leader within the community, as we constantly seek to improve our services, we build strong relationships with college staff members, partners, students, team members and the broader community. We are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, believing in the value and ability of all students and team members. We seek candidates who will model, live, and reinforce DSF’s mission and core values with colleagues, students, families, and the broader community. If you are passionate about the philosophy and mission of DSF, then we invite you to join us and help make college possible for Denver's students. The Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy serves as a senior frontline fundraising leader and strategic driver of Denver Scholarship Foundation’s (DSF) individual philanthropy program. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive individual giving strategy that drives sustainable revenue growth, strengthens donor retention, and builds a robust pipeline of future major and principal gift donors. Within the Grow and Engagement Team, the Senior Director leads strategy performance, and alignment of all individual donor programs; major gifts, mid-level, annual, and planned giving. They ensure all efforts function as a cohesive system supporting acquisition, retention, and long-term pipeline growth. The role manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and oversees the team driving major gifts, mid-level giving, and annual individual philanthropy. This role is accountable for establishing revenue goals, defining performance metrics, building, monitoring and reporting on portfolio management, and donor movement. The Senior Director partners closely with Marketing & Communications and Events to ensure storytelling, engagement, and philanthropy operate in alignment, alongside the overarching vision set by the CGEO for the full department.

Requirements

Ability to build strong, authentic relationships with a donor-centric approach and high level of emotional intelligence.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans that drive measurable revenue growth.
Strong understanding of donor lifecycle management, including acquisition, retention, and upgrade strategies.
Ability to analyze data, interpret performance metrics, and adjust strategies to improve outcomes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor messaging.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and influence without direct authority.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Experience working with Microsoft Office applications and donor CRM systems.
Works hybrid schedule three onsite days per week.
10 or more years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a strong focus on individual giving required.
3-5 years of management experience
Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts and managing high-capacity donor portfolios.
Experience leading and scaling individual giving programs, including mid-level and annual giving strategies.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Deep understanding of fundraising principles, donor strategy, and revenue forecasting.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM system preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary relationship manager for a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects, with responsibility for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gifts.
Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive individual giving strategy, including major gifts, mid-level giving, annual giving, and planned giving, aligned with DSF’s strategic priorities.
Establish and manage a clearly defined donor pipeline that supports long-term revenue growth, including strategies for donor acquisition, retention, upgrade, and re-engagement.
Set and monitor performance metrics across the individual giving program, including revenue goals, donor retention, portfolio movement, and pipeline health.
Partner with the Director of Development Operations to ensure data integrity, reporting accuracy, and the use of analytics to inform strategy and decision-making.
Oversee and coach individual giving team members, setting clear expectations, portfolio strategies, and performance metrics tied to revenue and donor movement.
Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to align messaging, appeals, and donor communications with DSF’s brand and engagement strategy.
Partner with program teams to develop compelling funding opportunities, donor experiences, and impact reporting that deepen donor engagement
Work in partnership with CGEO to develop revenue projections, inform budget development, and align individual giving strategy with organizational priorities.
Prepare and oversee development of donor-facing materials including proposals, case statements and stewardship reports
Actively utilize Salesforce to manage portfolio activity, track donor engagement, monitor pipeline movement, and inform reporting.
Manages the Director of Individual Philanthropy and Donor Relations Manager.
Serve as a key thought partner to the Chief Growth & Engagement Officer on strategy to ensure individual giving is fully integrated with communications, events and engagement efforts.
Provide regular reporting and updates to Board of Directors and board committees
Strategic leadership of the Professional Advisory Council in collaboration with CEO, CGEO, CFAO and DGEO.
Serve on DSF internal Senior Leadership team.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

401(k) plan with $ for $ match of up to 5%
Group health, dental, and vision insurance, low-cost premium plans offered. DSF pays for 90% of employee only and 65% of dependent plans.
Life Insurance that provides 2 Times Your Annual Salary
Free Annual Eco RTD Bus Pass
Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
Short Term Disability Supplement (Based on Years of Service)
Paid holidays (includes Winter Break and Summer 1/2 Fridays in June and July) and 2 Floating holidays each year
Trusted Time Off (unlimited vacation policy following 90 days)
Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave (Based on Years of Service)
ID Theft Protection and Will Preparation Assistance
Reduced cost for Legal Counseling
Free Financial Counseling
Four Professional Wellness Sessions and $300 annual wellness reimbursement
Free Employee Assistance and Confidential Counseling Services