Harlem Children's Zone is hiring a Director, Major Gifts to oversee all major gift initiatives and lead our Individual Philanthropy team. You will be responsible for cultivating and stewarding donors, achieving strategic revenue growth through a team-driven effort, and collaborating across departments to advance our mission of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
What You'll Do
- Proactively identify principal giving prospects and strategies to engage and grow revenue.
- Manage and grow a targeted portfolio of current and prospective major gift donors through cultivation and stewardship.
- Set and achieve annual revenue targets for yourself and your Major Gifts Officer.
- Assist the Chief Development Officer on board-driven solicitation for the annual Friend of the Children Award gala and other cultivation events.
- Create and implement Major Gift pipeline strategies using research and targeted donor communications.
- Supervise the Individual Philanthropy team of a Major Gifts Officer and an Individual Philanthropy Associate.
- Lead the Individual Philanthropy team in enhancing and expanding the individual giving donor base.
- Develop and implement a strategy to increase revenue at the under $50,000 level with a goal of $1.5M+ raised annually.
- Manage the annual appeal process, including mailed and digital appeals.
- Supervise content creation and deployment of targeted correspondence to engage donors and prospects.
- Develop and implement fundraising strategies around emerging organizational projects and priorities.
- Implement systems to create efficiencies for Development Operations.
- Partner with Director of Institutional & Planned Giving to identify planned giving prospects.
- Collaborate on event design and long-term engagement strategies to deepen donor commitment and increase giving.
- Play a key fundraising role for HCZ events through prospecting, solicitations, and follow-up.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 7+ years fundraising experience.
- Proven track record in prospect management and major gifts solicitation (preferably at the $100,000+ level).
- 2+ years successfully managing and mentoring a front-line team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook.
- Experience working with Raiser’s Edge or a similar CRM platform.
- Strong time and project management skills and ability to work well under deadlines.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail.
- Working knowledge of leading NYC and national philanthropists.
Technical Stack
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Outlook
- Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM platform
Team & Environment
You will lead the Individual Philanthropy team, comprised of a Major Gifts Officer and an Individual Philanthropy Associate. As a member of the organization’s Leadership group, you will report to the Managing Director of Development and work closely with the Development Operations and Institutional Giving teams, while collaborating across Program, Finance, and Research & Evaluation departments.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $140,000 - $150,000 per year.
- Highly competitive base salaries.
- Performance bonus eligible.
- Employee referral bonus.
- Career advancement opportunities.
- Paid time off.
- No-cost health insurance.
- Life Insurance.
- Short-and long-term disability coverage.
- Additional voluntary benefits.
- Wellness discounts.
- Commuter benefits.
- Financial wellness perks.
- Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more).
Work Mode
This role follows a hybrid work model.
Harlem Children's Zone is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
