Director of Major Gifts

Position Summary 

The organization is seeking a passionate and results-driven Director of Major Gifts to be a driving force in helping the organization meet its short-and long-term philanthropic goals, generating sustainable major and lead gift support for the organization’s mission and inaugural campaign. Unlike typical nonprofit fundraising efforts, this role focuses on building deep, one-on-one relationships with donors and prospects, emphasizing direct engagements to showcase the impact of triathlon to our members and prospects. 

The ideal candidate will combine a love for storytelling with an unwavering focus on results, while contributing to the development of a long-term, impactful fundraising strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, sales focused in-the-field frontline fundraiser. This is major and lead gifts work focused on face to face and shoulder to shoulder conversations about how people who care about things that matter – can help achieve Vision LA2028, to fund identifying and developing the world’s best athletes from the United States to represent their country in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Essential Job Functions

• Support all individual fundraising efforts toward a $28M Olympic/Paralympic Campaign, Vision LA2028

• Work a green portfolio to develop a major and lead gifts pipeline for 2026 and beyond while maximizing commitments at this given moment

• Close five, six and seven-figure gifts

• Helping build the annual fund with lead annual gifts ($2k - $10k+)

• Bring in the Chief Development Officer as appropriate to support closing gifts

Fundraising Strategy Development:

• Collaborate with leadership, the Board of Trustees, and staff to create and execute a major gifts strategy aligned with the organization’s strategic plan

• Secure funding for key initiatives and package local and national projects for funding opportunities

• Develop long-term strategies to increase major gifts, ensuring financial sustainability for the organization

Fundraising Portfolio Ownership:

• Manage and nurture a fundraising portfolio, building strong relationships with major donors, prospects, and investors

• Identify and engage new prospects within and outside the organization’s current network

• Lead the strategy for relationship management with donors, set action steps, and guide supporting team members in their roles

• Conduct prospect research, plan engagement strategies, and lead donor visits

• Support grant writing and reporting processes by providing feedback and assistance as needed

• Oversee donor follow-up activities to ensure consistent engagement

Donor Stewardship and Engagement:

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with donors through personalized stewardship

• Create and implement systems to ensure donors feel engaged year-round and stay connected to the organization’s mission

Team Collaboration and Support:

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment of fundraising goals with broader organizational objectives

• Serve as a mentor and resource for other team members in donor engagement and relationship management

• Bring in key program leaders, coaches and Executive Team members to steward, update and engage donors and prospects

• Direct Supervision: The Gift Officer will be the primary fundraiser and will not have direct reports but will mentor and guide other team members in their roles related to donor engagement and fundraising

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Fundraising Knowledge: Strong understanding of fundraising techniques and strategies, particularly major gifts fundraising, donor relationship management, and donor stewardship

• Relationship Building: Proven ability to build meaningful, long-term relationships with high-level donors, prospects, and partners

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to create and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and deliver persuasive asks

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across teams and departments to support organizational goals

• Proactive Leadership: Ability to take initiative and work independently, especially in a start-up or evolving organizational environment

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and adapt strategies as needed

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or a related field is a plus.

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, sales, or business development, with a focus on relationship management and securing major gifts or relevant work experience

• Experience working in a nonprofit or mission-driven environment is preferred but not required. 

• Needs to be able to show proven ability to close five and six figure gifts. 

Skills:

• Proficiency in donor management software, CRM tools, and office productivity software (e.g., Google Suite, Microsoft Office)

• Familiarity with fundraising strategies, major gift solicitation, and donor stewardship practices

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel locally and nationally extensively with possibility of international travel if a donor base

• Regular travel is a requirement of this role

Other

• Colorado is preferred but not required, allowing flexibility to work from any location. Heavy travel is likely required for donor meetings and organizational events. This position also requires limited non-traditional work hours including evenings, weekends, and some holidays related to USA Triathlon event attendance.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard.