About the Organization
We are a long-established nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing at-risk cats, providing comprehensive medical care, and finding them loving homes. The organization also operates low-cost spay/neuter services and a vaccine clinic for cats. Our team is made up of passionate, mission-driven staff and volunteers committed to animal welfare.
The organization has been in operation for over 20 years and is currently at an exciting growth inflection point. Plans are underway to move into a larger facility in the near future. Recently, the organization raised $1.9M toward a $2.5M capital campaign supporting facility renovation, equipment, and program expansion, with additional capital fundraising planned over the next several years to support long-term sustainability.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Development Director - Major Gifts & Capital Campaign to lead major gift fundraising efforts and manage a capital campaign. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for planning and executing capital fundraising strategies, managing a portfolio of major donors (giving $10K+ annually), preparing major gift proposals, and implementing best-in-class donor cultivation and stewardship practices.
This role also oversees a small, partially remote development team, providing leadership, goal-setting, and strategic alignment with overall fundraising objectives.
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Leadership
- Define and implement strategies for acquiring, cultivating, and stewarding major donors
- Lead efforts to raise the remaining balance of an active capital campaign and plan future capital initiatives
- Recruit, train, and guide fundraising staff and volunteer leaders as needed
- Serve as a subject-matter expert in major gifts and fundraising best practices
- Engage and train board members to actively participate in fundraising efforts
Fundraising and Donor Cultivation
- Plan, execute, and evaluate fundraising campaigns and initiatives
- Create and manage the development budget
- Identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects
- Lead and grow the major giving program
- Develop donor solicitation and stewardship strategies
- Track, analyze, and report on major gift fundraising metrics
- Draft compelling major gift proposals and supporting materials
- Plan and support major donor events
- Utilize fundraising and marketing tools to enhance donor engagement
- Collaborate closely with staff and board members on fundraising efforts
- Implement direct response initiatives to improve donor retention
- Build relationships with local media to increase organizational visibility
Staff Management
- Provide leadership and guidance to two part-time, remote development staff members
- Set priorities, review work products (e.g., newsletters, email campaigns, communications calendars), and ensure alignment with fundraising strategy
- Participate in regular check-ins and provide coaching on best practices
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree required
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in development, major gifts, or planned giving
- Demonstrated success managing a major donor portfolio ($10K+ annually)