Associate Director, Major Gifts

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a natural connector who has some international experience, is eager to talk with prospects about the impact of The Hunger Project, and has proven experience generating funding results from one-to-one conversations. This is the farthest thing from a desk job! In fact, we want someone in this role who feels like their seat’s always on fire—they just have to be away from their desk as much as possible!

You may be the perfect fit for this role if:

You want to change the world. You’ve had a life-long passion to make a difference, perhaps specifically around issues of poverty, hunger, or international development, whether through work, volunteer, or personal experience. You channel that passion with a strong sense of optimism that even big change is possible, and feel a personal calling to have an even greater impact in this phase of your career.

You know the power of transformation. You’ve experienced a significant change in your own perspective or biases that catapulted you into a new universe. You understand how a mindset shift is what can drive truly lasting change, and you enjoy facilitating that for others.

You’re a connector of people. You may serve as a coalition builder, a dynamic networker in your neighborhood, or an active board member. You always make unexpected connections with and between people, have genuine interest in their stories, and possess skills in listening and empathy that motivate others to get involved or take action.

You have experience in fundraising through one-on-one engagements and direct asks . You have a track record of closing 5- and 6- figure gifts. You enjoy telling a great story, engaging with empathy, being bold in making asks, and persisting to get results. You’ve raised funds for a similarly complex effort, and know how to engage intellectually with prospects to turn them into true partners.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Major Gifts is responsible for building and maximizing relationships with a portfolio of prospects, to exceed an annual fundraising goal of $1 million that furthers the impact of The Hunger Project. To succeed in this role, you must be able to engage high-level investors and prospects (including booking your own meetings and travel!), update databases, write proposals and reports, and manage the details of follow-up. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves position, combined with the sophistication of engaging with world-changing philanthropists.

You will build and own a fundraising portfolio of 75-150 investors, which requires you to:

• Commit to raise a minimum of $1M per year in single or multi-year giving from prospects capable of giving $10k+ annually
• Identify major gift prospects from diverse sources, including research, referrals, networking, and current THP investors
• Develop and implement strategies to build relationships with prospects, including personalized communications, calls and visits; plan and strategize prospect predisposition and visits to maximize relationships and giving
• Prepare and deliver compelling solicitation materials, including in-person visit presentations, written proposals and impact reports
• Develop and implement ongoing stewardship plans to acknowledge and thank investors, and ensure they feel valued and connected to the organization
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of prospect information and activity in a database

You will contribute as a member of the fundraising team, which requires you to:

• Collaborate as a team for funding opportunities as needed
• Participate in and seek out opportunities to learn about the projects and communities supported by THP; commit to learn about the unique methodology and approach of THP to be able to communicate it clearly and represent the organization well
• Take initiative to develop and create your own communications and materials for investors, while utilizing products made available by other departments
• Build relationships with colleagues and organizational leaders, nationally and internationally

Location & Travel. Travel is essential to the purpose and function of this role. The position is fully remote in the USA with preference for staff being in strategic fund development locations of Boston, Chicago, Florida, New York City, Seattle, Texas, or Washington, DC (Northern VA). This position requires 70% travel to meet with investors across the USA, or to attend staff functions, typically in New York City. This position reports to the Head of U.S. Philanthropy.

Compensation & Benefits. This is a full-time, exempt position with a comprehensive benefits package. Salary is competitive and commensurate with level of experience and geographical area, with a salary range of $85,000-$100,000, not including an annualized cafeteria plan allowance currently fixed at $18,000. This position is exempt and is not eligible for overtime. The candidate must have eligibility to work in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship in the future.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 7 years experience in direct fundraising for a nonprofit organization
• Experience in fundraising through one-on-one engagements and direct asks, with a track record of closing 5- and 6-figure gifts
• International experience preferred

Skills

• Proven ability to track relationships, activities and opportunities in a CRM (Salesforce experience a plus); ability to quickly learn new platforms
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides), including collaborative editing and management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Slack experience a plus
• Ability to book your own travel; commitment to track expenses and travel reports in a timely manner (you won’t have an administrative assistant!)
• Natural connector of people who isn’t afraid to make phone calls (doesn’t rely too heavily on email and text)
• Superior active listening skills; excellent communications and writing skills
• Outstanding organization skills and high-level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; ability to work with colleagues and partners nationally and internationally

Other

• High level of confidentiality and accountability
• Resourceful self-starter with ability to independently multitask and prioritize projects and investor relationships
• Sound judgment; able to troubleshoot problems and come up with creative solutions, while also identifying issues that need to be escalated
• Ability to adapt and work in a very flexible, fluid and evolving environment
• Ability to work with a shifting daily schedule, including outside of regular working hours and days, to accommodate investor schedules and locations
• Commitment to THP’s values, including an understanding of and compatibility with our principles and philosophy
• Commitment to learn THP’s unique methodology and approach

How to Apply

Please forward your tailored, authentic letter of interest, along with your resume and salary expectations, for immediate consideration to recruitment.usfr@thp.org. Format the subject line of your email as “Job Inquiry from” followed by your full name.