Director of Major Individual Giving

Reporting to the Chief of External Strategy and Affairs, and collaborating with the Director of Institutional Giving, the Director of Major Individual Giving will be responsible to help LatinoJustice strengthen, diversify, and build sustainable short- and long-term major gifts funding from individual donors. This role will be an integral member of the team, raising the funds LatinoJustice needs to carry out its programs and operations in service to Latinx communities.

The Director of Major Individual Giving will develop and implement our major individual gifts program, identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new individual major gifts prospects while also managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects to move them to active major gifts status. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission and impact is a must. The Director of Major Individual Giving is expected to mobilize and collaborate with team members, and close gifts through a steady, organized, and strategic approach. The Director should also be prepared to assist and/or have a minimal corporate portfolio where there is an alignment to a major individual prospect.

This position is responsible for identifying and qualifying major gifts prospects, creating, and maintaining relationships with our donors, securing both short- and long-term funds, and reporting regularly on fund development progress. The Director of Major Individual Giving should also form strategic partnerships within our organization to promote its objectives.

To be successful in this role, the candidate must be proactive in building prospect and donor relationships, enjoy and be diligent about one-on-one cultivation, have excellent communication and negotiation skills, and be able to solve problems and develop individualized strategies that work for a range of donors.

Job Responsibilities:
 

• Build out LatinoJustice PRLDEF’s major individual portfolios, personally closing gifts from new donors and moving existing donors toward major giving levels.
• Manage existing portfolio of individual donors and prospects, meeting with prospective and existing donors to build/strengthen relationships and drive them toward significant investments in LatinoJustice’s work.
• Raise funds to sustain pillar programs and operations and help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization.
• Qualify, set strategy for, and solicit major individual gifts from $25,000 to $1M+ level, with the goal to steadily increase individual giving revenue to $3-5M annually from individual donors within three years.
• Conduct prospect research to qualify and prioritize donor prospect portfolios.
• Work with team to manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database and wealth screening tools
• Manage a small portfolio of existing corporate and law firm donors, representing not more than 15% of the position’s entire portfolio.
• Work with Board and staff members to maintain and build relationships with current and new donors and close major gifts.
• Create and implement moves management plans, developing individual fundraising strategies that match donor priorities.

• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the board and other staff with their solicitations (e.g., provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications).
• Meet with other members of the organization to identify pitch stories and opportunities and to ensure that objectives align.

• Work with the greater development team to align efforts and set goals; collaborate with and provide guidance, mentorship and support to development and other staff working on development programs and events.
• Track and report progress using specific metrics.
• Help design and manage a major donor stewardship program.

Job Tasks and Activities:

• Call and email major gift donors on a regular basis.
• Determine what donation amounts qualify as a major gift and develop practical but stretch gift pyramids and plans to help guide cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects.
• Draft major gift proposal documents and materials.
• Use major giving fundraising and marketing tools.
• Work collaboratively with board members and staff on fundraising from individual prospects.
• Provide thought-partnership and leverage data from staff working to close sponsorships for signature events.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience and verified success in building out major individual gifts fundraising programs and closing major 6-figure and above gifts at small or mid-size organizations.
• Strong sense of initiative and capacity for organization, diligence, and perseverance.
• A well-honed ability and desire to develop relationships, collaborate with and motivate people both externally and internally.
• Facility with moves management, finances and budgeting.
• Bachelors’ degree and/or 4-5 years of experience directly related to the position. ( all applicants with a proven track record of success are welcome to apply)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel when required.
• Spanish language skills a plus.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience, with a start point of $94,000 for candidates who meet the minimum requirements.

LJP comprehensive benefits include fully paid health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability. Generous paid time off, voluntary retirement plan with employer match, and professional development. Employees can also take advantage of various pre-tax offers such as commuter, parking, health savings accounts, and dependent care accounts.

Please note:

LJP staff works in hybrid model with 60% flexible remote work.