Director of Major Gifts

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury (SCI) by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. The Reeve Foundation is a pioneer in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research and has funded $140 million in the laboratories of key thought leaders around the world. The Foundation is committed to building on the findings of decades of research and developing therapies that bring meaningful solutions to people with SCI. Its National Paralysis Resource Center provides the most comprehensive knowledge, tools, and services for individuals impacted by paralysis through dedicated Information Specialists, a substantial Quality of Life Grants Program, Peer & Family Support Program, Military and Veterans Program, Racial and Health Equity initiatives and Advocacy program

About the Role

The Reeve Foundation is looking to hire a dedicated and innovative leader with a proven track record to join its Development team as the Director of Major Gifts.  Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Gifts will play a key role in achieving the Foundation’s $7.5 M revenue goal in 2023 while planning to grow the revenue to $10M over the next three years.

The Director will organize, plan, and execute a development strategy and fundraising program to secure major gift support of $25,000 + from individuals, business leaders, family foundations and other constituents.  They will utilize prospect research tools and leverage our donor database to identify and grow the major gift portfolio.

Major Responsibilities:

• Structure, lead, manage and oversee a major gift program.
• Manage a fluid portfolio of approximately 150 + major gift prospects rated at $25,000+ through an active moves management process of qualification visits, cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship.
• Present a persuasive case to prospects for support of key programs.
• Work collaboratively with fundraising & foundation colleagues and lead volunteers to increase and major gift support by deepening meaningful relationships with major gift prospects.
• Record and track all prospect and donor activity using the Foundation’s prospect management system
• Utilize data analytics and wealth screens to identify prospects
• Work closely with colleagues across the Development team to achieve the Foundation’s revenue goals.
• Serve a key role in conveying a clear sense of focus, competency, and credibility to those who invest in and support Reeve’s mission.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college and

seven years of experience in the areas of major gift fundraising, campaign fundraising, and prospect management or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Demonstrated track record of soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in one-on-one communications and sustained relationship building with donors, prospects and colleagues.
• Ability to creatively manage development activities and identify fundraising opportunities in an entrepreneurial, innovative, forward-thinking, and performance-driven manner.
• Customer service orientation that is donor-centric and collaborative.
• Extensive working knowledge of identified “best practices” and leading-edge principles in the areas of development, fundraising, moves management, planned giving, donor stewardship, and proposal preparation.
• Proven ability in leading, managing, and organizing multiple projects with energy, clarity, optimism, collaboration, diplomacy, and integrity.
• Ability to travel and work during evening and weekend hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Intellectual curiosity, personal accountability, emotional intelligence, collaborative mindset, and openness to new ideas and constructive feedback.
• Performance oriented, self-starter with proven ability to build relationships and communicate effectively.
• Salesforce experience

Travel:

Travel required for regional events and donor visits

Physical Demands/Office Environment

This position is primarily a sedentary role but will have periods of physical activity. The person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery and a copy machine/printer. As stated above, the position involves moderate travel. 

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The Foundation is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment and discrimination that supports individual dignity and respect. Accordingly, the Foundation maintains a strict policy prohibiting sexual harassment, unlawful harassment and any type of discriminatory treatment because of any “Protected Characteristic.”

Send a cover letter and resume to hr@christopherreeve.org