Director of Major Gifts

Order#: NY1700840 Director of Major Gifts The Opportunity The Director of Major Gifts will step into a well-established portfolio of roughly 130160 major gift and planned giving relationships, including several multi-generational family foundations, with warm introductions ready to go from day one. Reporting directly to the Foundation's Executive Director and working as part of the senior leadership team, this person will cultivate, solicit, and steward donors while also self-generating new prospects, particularly outside the organization's traditional donor community. Success in this role means blending relationship-driven stewardship with a disciplined process: building trust with donors and families who are often navigating long-term care, rehab, or memory care, while steadily growing gift size and building toward transformational giving. This is a role for a self-starter who thrives on process, enjoys working with a close-knit donor community, and wants a seat at the leadership table for a mission worth showing up for every day. Key Responsibilities Own and grow a well-established portfolio of major gift and planned giving donors, including numerous family foundations, picking up warm relationships from day one. Cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gifts, building toward five- and six-figure asks with an eye toward transformational giving over time. Proactively identify, research, and engage new major gift prospects, including donors outside the organization's traditional community, to diversify and grow the base. Partner with the Executive Director to build and execute an annual major gift and planned giving work plan, including budgets, goals, and strategy. Build relationships with estate and financial planning professionals, and guide donors and their advisors toward planned giving vehicles that meet shared goals. Maintain current knowledge of gift and estate tax law and planned giving best practices. Support grant writing and funder identification alongside the Executive Director, contributing to an annual portfolio of roughly a dozen grants. Visit with donors and their families in long-term care, rehab, and memory care settings, communicating the Foundation's role with warmth and steadiness. Represent the Foundation at community and donor events, including an annual golf tournament and emerging young-leader engagement efforts. Deliver regular reporting and analysis on giving activity to the Foundation team and Board of Directors. What We're Looking For 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with proven success in major gift and planned giving work. A genuine self-starter who's comfortable building and working a prospect pipeline. Bachelor's degree required. Excellent relationship-building and stewardship instincts. Comfort and compassion navigating conversations with families in long-term care, rehab, or memory care settings. Experience with donor management systems (Raiser's Edge preferred). Strong strategic planning, budgeting, and project management skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Bonus Points If You Have: Grant writing or funder research experience. A track record of growing a donor base into new or non-traditional communities. Experience or interest in engaging next-generation or young donor audiences. Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance Company-paid Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability NY State Disability (DBL) and Paid Family Leave 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution after one year of service Voluntary benefits available: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal (Hyatt Legal) coverage PTO/vacation, 7 paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and bereavement leave Employee Assistance Program (EAP)