The Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation seeks a skilled Director of Major Gifts to join our team in achieving our major gift fundraising and planned giving program objectives. Reporting to the Foundation President, the Director of Major Gifts will be responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective major gift donors and planned giving donors. This involves prospect research and developing effective solicitation strategies as well as stewarding donors throughout the major giving process.

The Director of Major Gifts will compile this information in a donor portfolio with emphasis on gifts of $50,000 or greater. This individual will also work with our board members and staff leaders to coordinate and execute long-term fundraising initiatives.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Secure leadership level contributions of $50,000 or more in support of Delta Tau Delta’s programs and initiatives. The Director of Major Gifts will inherit a portfolio of major gifts donors, will be charged with consistently adding prospects to their portfolio, and will support the President on his or her major gifts strategy.
• Develop, plan, and implement a comprehensive prospect strategy to achieve successful cultivation, engagement, and solicitations, including but not limited to moving prospects from one giving level to the next. This will include oversight of pipeline meetings with other Delt Foundation advancement professionals.
• Identify, create, and implement cultivation/volunteer opportunities and visits– as needed – to increase involvement for current and prospective donors.
• Create small-scale engagement and event opportunities to educate, inspire, and uplift major gifts donors and prospects.
• Build relationships through e-mail, phone, Zoom, and face-to-face meetings.
• Ensure information related to fundraising strategies and activities, as well as other appropriate information related to donors/potential donors, are entered into the organization’s database system.
• Commit to promoting and supporting an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience cultivating and closing five- and six-figure major gifts, developing donor strategies, and effectively cultivating and stewarding major donors.
• Ability to work with and communicate with a wide range of internal constituents including Board Members, senior management, program staff, finance, and volunteers.
• Outstanding written and verbal skills to persuasively convey the mission of Delta Tau Delta to diverse constituencies.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, high volume, multifaceted, results-oriented work environment.
•  Must have the flexibility to travel frequently, and work evenings and weekends. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be committed to authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience managing a multi-state portfolio highly preferred. Ability to analyze issues, identify priorities, manage projects, and make decisions expeditiously.

Our ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree and at least five years of major gift/planned giving experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofits. They will also have a thorough background in fundraising best practices and donor databases for managing donor and solicitation records.