DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS RESUME EXAMPLE

Published: Nov 28, 2024 - The Director of Major Gifts spearheads a major giving program, focusing on strategic planning, donor research, and relationship building. Develops sophisticated solicitation strategies for major and legacy gifts while designing and managing a comprehensive donor stewardship program. Collaborates closely with the CEO, board, and agency on capital campaigns, consistently engaging with major donors through calls, meetings, and tailored communications.

Tips for Director of Major Gifts Skills and Responsibilities on a Resume

1. Director of Major Gifts, Horizon Community Services, Springfield, IL

Job Summary: 

  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors for both campaign giving and annual giving. 
  • Understand the School’s current foundation of financial support, its potential, and the funding requirements of all segments of the school.
  • Work closely with the Director of Advancement to develop and implement strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects with the capacity to make major commitments over a five-year period.
  • Secure major gifts funding for endowment, capital projects, key programs, and special projects.
  • Actively manage a prospect portfolio of prospective major gift donors and complete an average of 12 personal contacts each month.
  • Recruit, train, and support campaign volunteer leadership including the Campaign Steering Committee.
  • Work closely with the Director of Advancement and the Director of the Waterford Fund & Alumni Relations to ensure collaborative prospect management. 
  • Prepare written materials, including correspondence, solicitation and proposal materials, acknowledgments, regular communications, and moves management reports. 
  • Assist in strategizing and implementing campaign cultivation and recognition events. 
  • Identify and implement meaningful stewardship opportunities for committed campaign donors. 
  • Regularly monitor and review the campaign progress and assist the Director of Advancement with the production of campaign reporting.
  • Assist the Director of Advancement in expanding the campaign donor base, identify promising grant/funding opportunities and assist in the application process.
  • Attend a variety of school events, both during the school day and after hours in order to become knowledgeable about school programs, culture, and constituencies.
  • Maximize knowledge of the School’s database to ensure strategic use of Raiser’s Edge NXT. 
  • Participate in many school events and all events planned by the Advancement office. 


Skills on Resume: 

  • Donor Cultivation (Hard Skills)  
  • Fundraising Strategy (Hard Skills)  
  • Collaboration (Soft Skills)  
  • Portfolio Management (Hard Skills)  
  • Volunteer Leadership (Soft Skills)  
  • Written Communication (Soft Skills)  
  • Event Planning (Soft Skills)  
  • Stewardship (Soft Skills)  

2. Senior Director of Major Gifts, Unity Health Foundation, Asheville, NC

Job Summary: 

  • Grow and manage a portfolio of 30-40 prospects capable of making 6- to 7-figure gifts.
  • Ensure that high priority prospects are actively managed with regular face-to-face meetings and outreach to ensure that prospects are moving along the major gifts pipeline.
  • Collaborate with the VP for Philanthropy and other key development staff to build out a robust donor prospect pipeline that focuses on individual major gift prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and upgrading.
  • Work strategically, as assigned, with the President, VP for Philanthropy, and other senior administrators, to support critical fundraising priorities.
  • Meet quarterly benchmarks and goals based on activity with prospects/donors.
  • Management and Mentorship
  • Supervise 3-5 major gift development professionals, with portfolios of 75-100 active major gift prospects.
  • Work in partnership with program staff to substantially advance major gift fundraising in support of  mission-based goals.
  • Support discrete fundraising campaigns (capital, endowment, etc.) management by advising the major gift strategy aspect of the campaign.
  • Provide training as necessary for development staff, program staff and volunteers. Proactively develop and deliver training as a part of growing the culture of major gift fundraising.
  • Understand and ensure compliance with philanthropic giving policies and regulations and ensure that fundraising is conducted with the highest level of ethical standards.
  • Enhance operational efficiency in Major Giving by promoting best practices for documentation and moves management using the donor engagement software platform (ROI Solutions).
  • Provide team support for events and other department needs.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Portfolio Management (Hard Skills)  
  • Prospect Cultivation (Hard Skills)  
  • Collaboration (Soft Skills)  
  • Strategic Planning (Soft Skills)  
  • Goal Setting (Hard Skills)  
  • Team Supervision (Soft Skills)  
  • Campaign Strategy (Hard Skills)  
  • Ethical Standards (Soft Skills)  

3. Director of Major Gifts, Evergreen Education Alliance, Madison, WI

Job Summary: 

  • Reach the Aspire Foundation's annual fundraising goal, in collaboration with Aspire's Foundation team.
  • Develop and manage the Foundation Board, serving as a key liaison with the Foundation Board and the Foundation team.
  • Effectively deploy the Foundation Board, the Aspire Public Schools Board, and other Aspire stakeholders to assist in fundraising efforts.
  • Partner with Foundation Executive Director in developing and implementing a comprehensive giving strategy.
  • Engage with, manage, and progressively increase the fundraising outcomes from a portfolio of 75+ qualified relationships.
  • Develop and successfully implement a multi-year fundraising and stewardship strategy for assigned relationships.
  • Develop and successfully implement a strategic approach to identifying, initiating, and developing relationships with new major gift donors.
  • Play a visible and collaborative leadership role within the Foundation and for organization-wide projects and priorities.
  • Actively engage in regular donor/prospect communication, cultivation and direct solicitation with specific metrics and fundraising goals.
  • Explore philanthropic affinity groups and plans to engage donors by demographics, geography and interest areas.
  • Effectively utilize Salesforce.com to accurately manage donor information and engagement.
  • Help maintain the flow of donor information within the Foundation Team and across Aspire's leadership and staff.
  • Provide accurate and timely pipeline reports and revenue forecasts.
  • Identify, plan, and execute key strategic fundraising interactions with donors, including school tours when possible, virtual engagement opportunities, and key strategic donor events throughout the year.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Fundraising (Hard Skills)  
  • Board Management (Hard Skills)  
  • Collaboration (Soft Skills)  
  • Relationship Building (Soft Skills)  
  • Portfolio Management (Hard Skills)  
  • Leadership (Soft Skills)  
  • CRM Tools (Hard Skills)  
  • Communication (Soft Skills)  

4. Director of Major Gifts, Coastal Conservation Partners, Charleston, SC

Job Summary: 

  • Participates with the Chief Philanthropy Officer in charting the organization's course in financial development,t especially as it relates to cultivating and soliciting Major Gifts.
  • Works with the Philanthropy and Marketing teams to ensure that the YMCA is being positioned as indispensable within the community.
  • Designs, leads, and manages major gift-giving programs and fundraising events, also assisting in supporting capital campaigns, and donor management.
  • Produces quality results while maintaining a solid return on investment.
  • Manages the day-to-day operations of major gifts moves management functions and ensures proper stewardship of all major gifts and enforcement of tight administrative procedures including stewardship activities of the CEO, CPO and Board of Directors.
  • Develops a comprehensive portfolio of donors for CEO, branch directors and others 
  • Prepares and manages associated budgets. 
  • Provides leadership and direction to all staff for all major gift related initiatives.
  • Support the Annual Campaign efforts by driving process and sufficient efforts towards major gift donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Financial Development Strategy (Hard Skills)
  • Community Positioning (Soft Skills)
  • Major Gifts Program Management (Hard Skills)
  • Event Leadership (Soft Skills)
  • Operational Oversight (Hard Skills)
  • Portfolio Development (Hard Skills)
  • Budget Management (Hard Skills)
  • Team Leadership (Soft Skills)

5. Director of Major Gifts, Pinnacle Human Services, Boise, ID

Job Summary: 

  • Lead major gift recognition and stewardship.
  • Support the groundbreakings, dedications/openings, etc. for relevant projects.
  • Supports the Chief Philanthropy Officer in the development and implementation of a major gift donor relations and stewardship program
  • Assist the CPO in implementing a strategic major gift donor relations and stewardship program to be conducted throughout the year to reach the YMCA target audiences, effectively building relationships, utilizing recognition/awards, written communications, personal visits, gifts, and small group activities, to support the Major Gift Development objectives of the organization.
  • Involve the corporate community in awareness and support of YMCA programs and services.
  • Schedule Board site visits in order to develop relations and be a visible influence at the branch level.
  • Participates in government relations activities as directed by the Chief Philanthropy Officer and related to Major Gift opportunities.
  • Invite legislators to groundbreakings, Annual Meetings, and other relevant special events.
  • Keep legislators informed by sending copies of Annual Reports, Community Benefit Reports, etc.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Donor Stewardship Management (Hard Skills)
  • Event Support (Hard Skills)
  • Program Development (Hard Skills)
  • Strategic Planning (Hard Skills)
  • Corporate Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Board Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Government Relations Participation (Soft Skills)
  • Legislative Outreach (Soft Skills)

6. Director of Major Gifts, Summit Arts Council, Boulder, CO

Job Summary: 

  • Oversee and manage all aspects of the major gifts program for PBR / B4G, supervising annual gifts of $1,000 and more and special gifts from these and other donors.
  • Establish budget goals in this category in consultation with management and develop strategies to reach them.
  • Prepare written materials, including correspondence, solicitation materials, acknowledgements, and regular communications as part of the stewardship program. 
  • Prepare marketing materials, including brochures, articles, ads, and on-air announcements, to promote the concept of major giving to PBR / B4G.
  • Establish and maintain a donor cultivation cycle and gift stewardship program to ensure that new major donors are developed, have opportunities to increase the level of support annually, and enjoy a close relationship with the station.
  • Establish and serve as primary liaison with the Major Gifts Committee. 
  • Work with this committee to develop levels of support. Develop strategies to facilitate personal solicitation of prospects by committee members.
  • Coordinate Major Gift cultivation and recognition events.
  • Maintain major donor prospect and donor records on the station database.
  • Promote a collegial atmosphere within the development department, working cooperatively with all fundraising officers to help them and the department attain overall financial and advancement goals.
  • Obtain financial support and sponsorship for the organization.
  • Identify and cultivate new corporate major gift prospects
  • Ensure that the agency's annual fundraising goals are met and monitored on a regular basis.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Program Management (Hard Skills)
  • Budget Planning (Hard Skills)
  • Material Preparation (Hard Skills)
  • Marketing Development (Hard Skills)
  • Donor Cultivation (Soft Skills)
  • Committee Liaison (Soft Skills)
  • Event Coordination (Hard Skills)
  • Collaborative Teamwork (Soft Skills)

7. Director of Major Gifts, Harbor Wellness Network, Portland, ME

Job Summary: 

  • Directs major gift and capital/endowment campaign efforts through prospect identification, research, ratings, cultivation and solicitation.
  • Meets monthly tracking, encounters, and fundraising benchmarks, as set by the Chief Philanthropy Officer.
  • Develops strategies for grants and foundations to achieve major gift fundraising goals.
  • Provides support to Campaign Cabinet and campaign divisions to fully execute the campaign plan.
  • Provides oversight of campaign case statement elements, donor stewardship, gift accounting and reporting functions of major gifts and capital campaign gifts.
  • Provides oversight for recognition of all major gifts including naming opportunities.
  • Provides major gift and campaign updates to the Foundation Board of Directors.
  • Works directly with the Physician Leadership Council reporting on goals, strategies and progress.
  • Develops strong community and industry presence and network to assist in fund solicitation and volunteer recruitment.
  • Coordinates with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to host donors or potential donors on tours of hospital to educate and enhance donor interest.
  • Provides staff support for CMN Broadcast event(s).
  • Utilize data to analyze and measure the progress towards the fundraising goals and the fundraising campaigns’ effectiveness.
  • Stay up to date on fundraising trends.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Prospect Management (Hard Skills)
  • Performance Benchmarking (Hard Skills)
  • Grant Strategy Development (Hard Skills)
  • Campaign Support Coordination (Soft Skills)
  • Donor Stewardship Oversight (Soft Skills)
  • Board Communication (Soft Skills)
  • Community Networking (Soft Skills)
  • Event Coordination (Hard Skills)

8. Director of Major Gifts and Sponsorships, Legacy Development Fund, Wichita, KS

Job Summary: 

  • Assist university leadership in the planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive fundraising plan for major individual prospects and corporate partnerships.
  • Identify and meet with new prospects, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual major gift prospects with the ability to make annual gifts in excess of $10,000. 
  • Develop comprehensive major gift solicitations that effectively match donor interests with university needs.
  • Develop and steward revenue-generating partnerships and solicit corporate partnerships to advance the work of the university.
  • Support university leadership and Board of Trustees in the engagement of major donor prospects. 
  • Leverage relationships to make solicitations more effective. 
  • Regularly prepare briefing memos, prospect and partnership ideas, updates, and communications for university leadership 
  • Coordinates work efforts with key stakeholders to proactively identify local and regional opportunities for creating partnerships.


Skills on Resume: 

  • Fundraising Strategy Execution (Hard Skills)
  • Prospect Identification (Hard Skills)
  • Donor Cultivation (Soft Skills)
  • Partnership Development (Hard Skills)
  • Stakeholder Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Relationship Leveraging (Soft Skills)
  • Communication Development (Hard Skills)
  • Opportunity Coordination (Hard Skills)

9. Director of Major Gifts, Northern Heritage Foundation, Duluth, MN

Job Summary: 

  • Planning and leading Safe Futures major giving program.
  • Researching major gift donor prospects with new and existing donors.
  • Growing relationships with major gift donors.
  • Developing a donor solicitation strategy for major gift prospects and legacy giving.
  • Designing, implementing and operating a donor stewardship program.
  • Tracking and assessing major gift fundraising metrics.
  • Create and implement a cohesive measurable annual development plan with targets that meet Safe Futures budgeted needs.
  • Work collaboratively with the CEO, Board and agency on a capital campaign
  • Calling, meeting and emailing major gift donors on a regular basis.
  • Following up with potential donors immediately after events and receptions.
  • Drafting major gift proposal documents.
  • Developing and using major giving fundraising and marketing tools to include legacy gifts
  • Working collaboratively with CEO, board members and staff on fundraising and capital campaign
  • Work closely with a Development Committee composed of Board members, staff and volunteers


Skills on Resume: 

  • Donor Research (Hard Skills)
  • Relationship Management (Soft Skills)
  • Strategy Development (Hard Skills)
  • Program Design (Hard Skills)
  • Performance Metrics Analysis (Hard Skills)
  • Project Collaboration (Soft Skills)
  • Communication (Soft Skills)
  • Proposal Writing (Hard Skills)

10. Director of Major Gifts, Bright Futures Coalition, Richmond, VA

Job Summary: 

  • Qualify, cultivate and solicit 5 and 6-figure prospects within top fundraising markets across the country with a focus on the Midwest region.
  • In conjunction with the CEO, VP of Development, and the League development team, develop and implement and strategy to advance philanthropic support regionally from major gift donors and prospects in assigned geographic areas.
  • Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gifts donors and prospects, with a minimum face-to-face visit goal of 8-12 visits per month, and meeting annual fundraising goals and expectations
  • Coordinate and staff donor engagement and cultivation activities in partnership member and Board partners regionally including key member events and performances, volunteer/board engagement, and Regional Task Force activities relevant to regional focus areas.
  • Build strategy for strong partnerships with member leadership, Board, and key partners in assigned geographic region
  • Effectively and consistently communicate the League’s impact on members in assigned regions, and contribute to org-wide communication strategy that is inclusive of member feedback regionally
  • Work collaboratively with League staff across all departments.
  • Attend agency and community functions and meetings as a representative of Safe Futures
  • Reporting progress on goals monthly to CEO, Finance Committee and Board of Directors
  • Draft letters, solicitation and presentations and other materials


Skills on Resume: 

  • Major Gifts Solicitation (Hard Skills)
  • Strategic Planning (Hard Skills)
  • Stakeholder Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Event Coordination (Hard Skills)
  • Geographic Market Analysis (Hard Skills)
  • Communication (Soft Skills)
  • Interdepartmental Collaboration (Soft Skills)
  • Public Representation (Soft Skills)

11. Director of Major Gifts, Sierra Nonprofit Alliance, Reno, NV

Job Summary: 

  • Oversee and implement the agency Development Plan in conjunction with the Executive Director (or Management Team).
  • Define fundraising goals to meet organization and work to achieve them.
  • Prepare strategies for fundraising and oversee/conduct the implementation and evaluation of them.
  • Identify and collaborate with community influencers and community partners.
  • Take advantage of community relations, speaking engagements, fundraising events, and communication tools like newsletters and social media platforms to effectively reach donors and sponsors.
  • Effectively motivate donors to provide financial support.
  • Identify donors’ giving priorities using critical thinking skills and engaging donors to initiate or expand  support.
  • Assist and oversee the creation and implementation of a donor stewardship plan.
  • Implement strategies to form strong relationships with donors and keep them informed on how  financial contribution is being utilized in collaboration with the Development Manager.
  • Collaborate with the board of directors on receiving donations and ensure the meeting of board financial goals.
  • Obtain financial donations from board members.
  • Engage board members in fundraising and solicitation.
  • Oversee the restructure and implementation of the annual giving program
  • Identify and recruit new annual giving program members in collaboration with the Development Manager


Skills on Resume: 

  • Fundraising Strategy Development (Hard Skills)
  • Community Engagement (Soft Skills)
  • Public Speaking (Soft Skills)
  • Donor Relationship Management (Soft Skills)
  • Critical Thinking (Soft Skills)
  • Social Media Management (Hard Skills)
  • Strategic Planning (Hard Skills)
  • Team Collaboration (Soft Skills)