Sr. Director, Major Gifts

Protect Our Winters

5d • $105,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

POW is seeking a Senior Director of Major Gifts to manage and grow a national portfolio of major donors and prospects who share our vision for clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet. This role focuses primarily on individuals and family foundations with the capacity to give $10,000–$100,000, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors while proactively developing new relationships and leading strategic pipeline growth. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director will manage approximately 100 donors and prospects, while partnering closely with the CDO and executive leadership on targeted engagement of $100,000+ donors. A core expectation of this role is entrepreneurial prospecting through targeted outreach, event-based cultivation, and close collaboration with Annual and Mid-Level Giving, Prospect Research, and POW’s Board to consistently identify, qualify, and advance new prospects. The Senior Director will pair proactive acquisition with creative, disciplined portfolio management, developing personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies with an emphasis on multi-year commitments, non-cash assets, and blended gifts. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing climate nonprofit, expand relationships with influential philanthropists, and help scale the Outdoor State’s climate action influence at a pivotal moment. Strong candidates bring a demonstrated track record of donor acquisition and upgrades, consistently meeting or exceeding revenue goals, and the ability to make a compelling, impact-driven case for support grounded in transparency and trust that inspires sustained donor engagement and long-term investment.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive experience in development or philanthropy, including direct experience managing a major gifts portfolio.
• Proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts through strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience raising funds for an organization with $5M+ in annual revenue.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage individuals from diverse backgrounds, navigate complex dynamics, and exercise sound judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Proven ability to connect donor interests and passion with the organization's vision and strategic initiatives for impact.
• Goal-oriented, with demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Excellent project management, follow-up, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders, board members, and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Understanding of nonprofit fundraising best practices and trends, including prospecting, pipeline management, campaign strategy, and planned and non-cash asset giving.
• Proficiency with Salesforce (preferred) or similar CRM systems for donor portfolio management, forecasting, and reporting.
• Experience using prospect research and wealth screening tools (e.g., DonorSearch, iWave) to identify and qualify new leads.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed (35-40%)

Nice To Haves

• Experience raising funds for an organization with $10M+ in annual revenue.
• Experience at a climate, environmental, or advocacy nonprofit and/or in the outdoor industry.
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, or philanthropic advisors.
• Experience with fundraising matters for independent but affiliated non-profit entities such as 501(c)(4) organizations.
• Familiarity with digital fundraising, pipeline management, donor analytics, and the ability to use data to inform fundraising strategy, forecast revenue, and assess portfolio performance.
• CFRE certification or equivalent professional credential

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 100 donors and prospects, with the goal of upgrading relationships to meet their highest giving potential.
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to achieve personal portfolio and team annual revenue goals.
• Partner with executives, board, and program leaders to engage donors, family foundations, and philanthropic advisors through strategic outreach, campaigns, meetings, and events.
• Prepare briefing materials and follow-up actions for leadership donor engagements, ensuring consistent, timely, and personalized outreach.
• Stay informed on organizational campaigns and climate trends to identify funding opportunities, share timely and relevant updates with donors, and connect donors with programmatic work.
• Support the creation of compelling proposals, impact reports, and case materials that connect donor interests to POW’s strategic priorities.
• Identify, research, and qualify new donor prospects from within and beyond the POW community using wealth screening, data analytics, and relationship mapping tools in collaboration with Prospect Research.
• Collaborate with Annual Giving and Marketing & Communications teams on targeted campaigns, touchpoints, and events that attract and engage new donors.
• Leverage POW Alliance networks of athletes, brands, creatives, scientists, and board members to expand POW’s donor pipeline and open doors to and deepen relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Track and analyze portfolio performance and prospect data to identify trends, forecast potential, monitor pacing, and guide next-step cultivation strategies and portfolio growth.
• Plan and execute small donor gatherings, events, and experiences that deepen engagement with POW’s mission and showcase the impact of donor support.
• Ensure timely and personalized acknowledgement and stewardship of all gifts, including thank-you’s, notes, and personalized impact updates and reports.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to design and deliver customized and bespoke recognition.
• Work closely with Development colleagues and the Community & Campaigns, Alliance & Training, and Marketing & Communications teams to craft compelling and urgent cases for support, leveraging storytelling and POW’s demonstrated track record of impact.
• Collaborate to ensure that donor communications reflect organizational priorities, tone, and impact.
• Participate in Development meetings, revenue pacing meetings, and organization-wide campaigns.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of donor interactions and forecasts in Salesforce, ensuring data integrity and timely reporting.
• Collaborate with Development Operations staff and the Finance team to support gift processing, acknowledgment, and reconciliation.
• Contribute to annual revenue projections and departmental budget planning.

Benefits

• Protect Our Winters offers a generous benefits package including 100% employer-paid (employee-only) healthcare, vision, and dental benefits, as well as a retirement match.
• Additionally, POW offers sick and holiday time, above-industry-average paid time off, and a family-friendly, flexible work environment.

What This Job Offers

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