Director of Major Donor Partnerships

The Director of Major Donor Partnerships is a senior, frontline major gift fundraiser responsible for building relationships with individuals and philanthropic partners who have the interest and capacity to make significant investments in MiSide’s mission. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Donor Partnerships will build and manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, developing personalized strategies to cultivate relationships, solicit and secure significant gifts, and deepen long-term engagement with MiSide.

This is a highly relational, externally focused position. The ideal candidate is an experienced major gift fundraiser with a demonstrated track record of cultivating, soliciting, and securing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts. This person will bring the experience and confidence to engage high-net-worth individuals, corporate and foundation leaders, and other influential community partners on behalf of MiSide.

MiSide is intentionally investing in the growth of its major gifts program. This position is expected to help build the next generation of major donors by identifying and qualifying new prospects, developing relationships with individuals capable of making significant gifts, and cultivating existing donors toward increased philanthropic investment.

The ideal candidate is proactive and entrepreneurial, able to step into the role and quickly translate strategy into action. This role is well suited for someone who is energized by building, not simply inheriting, a major gifts portfolio and who can create new relationships and opportunities that significantly expand MiSide’s philanthropic reach and revenue.

Success in this role means developing strong philanthropic relationships that lead to increasingly significant investment in MiSide. The Director of Major Donor Partnerships will understand that transformational giving is built over time through trust, listening, engagement, and meaningful connection to MiSide’s mission. Success will be measured by philanthropic revenue generated, successful solicitations, donor retention and upgrades, new major donor acquisition, the quality and growth of donor relationships, and development of a strong pipeline capable of producing increasingly significant and transformational gifts.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience, including significant experience in major gift fundraising
• Experience building and managing a portfolio of major donors and prospects and developing individualized strategies that lead to increased philanthropic investment
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and securing five- and six-figure charitable gifts; experience securing or participating in the solicitation of seven-figure gifts strongly preferred
• Experience engaging high-net-worth individuals, senior corporate executives, foundation leaders, Board members, and other high-level external stakeholders