Vice President, Development (Major Gifts)
About The Position
The Vice President of Development is a strategic fundraising leader responsible for building, managing, and growing a comprehensive major gifts program that generates transformational philanthropic support for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. The VP cultivates, solicits, stewards, and closes gifts from high-net-worth individuals and corporate donors capable of making investments of $10,000 and above, while developing a pipeline of future major donors. The position advances BGCMA’s Lasting Impact 2030 Strategic Plan by increasing philanthropic investment in youth development, workforce readiness, academic success, and organizational sustainability. The VP works closely with the Chief Growth Officer, President & CEO, Board of Trustees, County Boards, and volunteer leaders to deepen donor relationships and secure significant philanthropic support. The role manages a portfolio of 100–150 qualified major-gift prospects and donors; develops fundraising strategies, plans, and revenue projections; and leads donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement. It collaborates across fundraising teams, supports executive and board fundraising efforts, analyzes performance and donor trends, maintains accurate CRM records and forecasts, and provides leadership and coaching to major-gifts staff as assigned. The position is hybrid, with regular in-person donor meetings and club visits, travel throughout Metro Atlanta, and occasional evening and weekend commitments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience.
- Demonstrated track record of securing and closing five- and six-figure gifts; seven-figure gifts preferred.
- Experience managing a major-gift portfolio and complex donor relationships.
- Experience partnering with boards, executives, and volunteers in fundraising activities.
- Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor stewardship, and prospect-management best practices.
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
- Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- High degree of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
- Ability to inspire confidence and credibility with donors, board members, and community leaders.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills.
- Proficiency with Salesforce CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and youth development.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor events and community engagements.
- Travel throughout Metro Atlanta is required.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
Nice To Haves
- CFRE certification.
- Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration, communications, or a related field.
- Experience within a large nonprofit or youth-serving organization.
- Familiarity with the Atlanta philanthropic community.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive major-gifts strategy to increase philanthropic revenue and donor engagement.
- Personally manage a portfolio of 100–150 qualified major-gift prospects and donors.
- Conduct prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Create customized donor engagement and solicitation strategies for gifts of $10,000 and above.
- Develop annual fundraising plans with measurable goals, strategies, and revenue projections.
- Build a pipeline of future major donors through strategic moves management.
- Conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings, club visits, and other donor engagement activities.
- Develop compelling cases for support aligned with organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
- Lead individualized donor stewardship plans and ensure timely acknowledgment, recognition, reporting, and appreciation.
- Partner with club leadership and program staff to connect donors with mission impact.
- Work with the President & CEO and Chief Growth Officer to identify, cultivate, and solicit high-capacity donors.
- Partner with Board members and volunteer leaders on relationship mapping, prospect strategy, and donor introductions.
- Prepare leadership and volunteers for donor meetings, presentations, and solicitations, and facilitate their fundraising engagement.
- Support annual fundraising goals and long-range development objectives.
- Collaborate with Annual Giving, Institutional Giving, Corporate Partnerships, and Special Events teams on integrated donor strategies.
- Analyze donor trends, giving patterns, and fundraising performance to identify growth opportunities.
- Use data and analytics to strengthen donor retention, upgrades, and campaign performance.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and support to major-gifts staff, as assigned.
- Participate as a member of the Resource Development leadership team and support organization-wide fundraising and community-engagement initiatives.
- Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, proposals, and forecasts in the organization’s CRM.
- Monitor portfolio performance using key metrics and regular reporting.
- Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards and donor-stewardship best practices.
- Manage expenses associated with donor cultivation and stewardship activities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
