As Director, Major Gifts, you will build and grow a portfolio of donors and prospects, leading the full lifecycle of major gift fundraising from initial engagement through solicitation and stewardship. You will develop tailored strategies, identify new opportunities, and connect donors directly to the impact of Uncommon Schools. In close partnership with internal teams and leadership, you will translate our work into compelling giving opportunities that expand philanthropic support.
Portfolio Management & Fundraising Strategy
- Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships
- Design and execute individualized strategies to align donor interests with Uncommon’s priorities
- Develop proposals, letters of inquiry, and tailored communications to support fundraising efforts
Donor Engagement & Relationship Building
- Lead in-person and virtual engagement with donors through meetings, school visits, and curated experiences
- Translate Uncommon’s impact into clear, compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic investment
- Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship to strengthen long-term donor relationships
Prospect Identification & Network Expansion
- Identify and qualify new prospective donors through research, events, and outreach
- Partner with internal stakeholders and leadership to expand access to new donor networks
- Contribute to building a strong pipeline of high-capacity prospects
Pipeline Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Maintain accurate donor records and pipeline data in Salesforce or similar systems
- Forecast revenue and track progress toward fundraising goals
- Collaborate with development, marketing, and program teams to align messaging and engagement strategies