Director of Major Gifts, East Coast only

The Claremont Institute is continuing an ambitious new chapter
of growth. The diligent work of our growing fundraising team will
be vital to that growth. We’re seeking a Director of Major Gifts
based on the East Coast.

Reporting to the Director of Development Operations, the
Director of Major Gifts will work closely with Development and
Program staff to execute the fundraising strategy. With a personal
focus on major gifts and growing the organization’s fundraising
capacity, the successful candidates will help strengthen existing
relationships and forge new ones to build the visibility, impact,
and financial resources of the Institute. The Director of Major
Gifts will establish and implement the infrastructure and practices
needed to meet and expand their goals by soliciting major gifts
(primarily from individuals), assisting with foundation outreach,
and attending special events that generate revenue and donor
interest.

 

Responsibilities

• Advance individual and organizational relationships that
result in philanthropic support for the Claremont Institute through
personal visits, email correspondence, and telephone conversations
with donors and prospects.

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio
of approximately 100–150 existing donors and new individual
prospects with the capacity to make major and principal-level gifts
(from $10,000 to $1,000,000+), focusing on the Eastern U.S. donor
base. One to two weeks of travel per month is expected.

• Re-engage and renew lapsed donors. Evaluate various gift
opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend the most suitable
approach for a particular donor at a particular point in time.

• Conceive and implement a stewardship plan for current donors
that builds deep and committed relationships with the Claremont
Institute for continued and increased giving.

• Translate highly technical information into accessible
language that will encourage donors to support key programs and
projects.

• Support the development team in preparing communications and
marketing materials, designing meeting content, and coordinating
activities with program colleagues.

• Use Salesforce database to document moves management process
and provide accurate relationship status and financial projections
for the portfolio.

• Engage donors and prospects at events, follow up with them,
and develop a cultivation and solicitation plan.

 

Attributes & Skills

• Agreement with and enthusiastic dedication to the mission of
the Claremont Institute.

• An entrepreneurial spirit, and familiarity and comfort with a
collegial and fairly “flat” senior management hierarchy.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Adept at
personal communication, public speaking, and effective writing.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with
considerable attention to detail.

• The ability to think creatively and strategically to develop
new giving sources and promptly implement actionable plans.

• An intellectual curiosity with the ability to listen to and
engage donors and prospects to understand where their vision and
passions lie and articulate the points of intersection with the
Institute’s efforts.

• A high level of emotional intelligence with a strong degree of
self-awareness.

• High initiative with the ability to work independently as well
as part of a team.

 

Qualifications

• More than five years of experience as a Major Gifts Officer or
Director of Major Gifts is preferred, though not required.
Experience at a $10MM-$20MM non-profit organization is also
preferred.

• Fundraising experience and a proven record of accomplishment
in lifting an organization to greater measurable success in
fundraising and donor cultivation.

• Proven track record of identifying, cultivating, and securing
six-figure gifts and larger. • An advanced degree is preferred.

• This officer can live and work remotely but should be located
near a major airport for easy travel to meet donors, prospects, and
strategic partners.