Director, Individual Giving & Philanthropy

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Autism Speaks

💵 $100k-$125k
📍Remote - United States

Summary

Join Autism Speaks as a Director, Individual Giving & Philanthropy to lead donor engagement and cultivate major gifts. You will manage a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors, focusing on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Collaborate with cross-functional partners to advance strategic donor engagement and generate $1 million in annual revenue. This remote position ideally suits candidates in the Mid-Atlantic region, though others may apply. The role requires a proven track record of securing major gifts and a deep understanding of donor strategy. You will be responsible for meeting revenue goals and implementing a long-term business plan to grow major gift relationships.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
  • 7-10 years of specific, dedicated major gift experience in a non-profit, fundraising setting
  • 10 or more years of professional working experience
  • Proven track record closing 6 and 7 figure gifts
  • Superior interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence donors to support the organization
  • Ability to show initiative and resourcefulness to meet the needs of the donors
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, as well as strong presentation skills
  • Ability to monitor budgets and produce reports and other correspondence in a timely fashion
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Comprehensive knowledge of development and major gift development / fundraising
  • Experience working in a mission-driven organization and achieving aggressive fundraising goals
  • Open and collaborative work style, conducive to engaging external and internal partners
  • Adept at problem-solving; have good judgment; have integrity in all that they do
  • Excellent listening skills; ability to match donors to appropriate program, strategic priority
  • Results-oriented and motivated with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising
  • Commitment to and passion for the mission of Autism Speaks
  • Professional demeanor; demonstrated social skills with individuals as well as with large groups
  • Ability to travel easily and frequently to key markets across the region
  • Proficient with CRM (StratusLive) and MS Office, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel

Responsibilities

  • Major Gift Lead Generation, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship: Lead the development and growth of the major gift portfolio for Autism Speaks
  • Collaborate with the Community Engagement team to: Serve as the strategic lead for major gift fundraising efforts in assigned markets
  • Partner with Executive Directors to identify, qualify, and advance a pipeline of major gift prospects, leveraging local insights and relationships
  • Maximize donor engagement and pipeline development through strategic participation in local events, identifying cultivation and stewardship opportunities
  • Conduct regular strategy meetings with Executive Directors to review portfolio progress, align on donor approaches, and surface new opportunities
  • Implement proven major gift strategies to: Identify and engage a greater number of new leads
  • Increase the volume of new, qualified relationships onto the major gift portfolio
  • Deepen relationships with those in the portfolio who have six, seven and eight-figure capacity
  • Solicit gifts that support the priority programs of Autism Speaks with an emphasis on high five, six and seven + figure gift conversations
  • Engage with colleagues and volunteers across the organization who can inform and help major gift lead generation activity for the region
  • Work with the VP, Individual Giving and Autism Speaks leadership to develop and implement thoughtful moves and experiences for the region’s major gift portfolio
  • Foster strong partnerships across departments, serving as a collaborative and solutions-oriented partner to internal teams
  • Contribute to a culture of shared success by supporting colleagues on the major gifts team and across the broader relationship development division, ensuring alignment and integration of fundraising strategies
  • Actively learn the programs, and priority initiatives of Autism Speaks (as per our strategic plan) and convey this vision and work to donors and prospective donors
  • Seek to introduce appropriate donors and prospects to leadership and content experts throughout the relationship cultivation process
  • Seek to maximize giving capacity in solicitations with a particular emphasis on increased giving where / when appropriate
  • Have comfort with clear annual goals and weekly, monthly, quarterly measurement of activity toward these goals
  • Work with Development Operations team to guide back-office support, including prospect research, necessary to grow the region’s portfolio
  • Demonstrate discipline to prepare thoroughly for all donor visits and conduct pre and post visit briefings with staff / volunteer leadership
  • Offer input on the development of major gift donor materials and communications for the division overall and the region specifically
  • Fiscal Responsibility: Meet or exceed agreed upon major gift revenue and key activity metric goals (each year)
  • Forecast revenue from the region’s major gift portfolio on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis
  • Remain current and have ability to analyze major gift revenue trends in key markets in the region
  • Planning and Management: Create and implement a long-term business plan to strategically grow major gift relationships and revenue in key markets across the region
  • Identify and utilize key volunteers who can influence and help advance this major gift growth plan
  • Follow the Relationship Development division’s database protocols and expectations – use the Razor’s Edge database to accurately reflect regional portfolio growth, moves, revenue outcomes

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package
  • Flex work hours
  • Weekly training sessions
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Summer bonus Fridays
  • Creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment

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