Description
Brief Description of Duties
The Director of Major Gifts provides strategic leadership and direct execution for the University of the District of Columbia’s major gifts program, with responsibility for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors making gifts in the $10,000 through six-figure range. The Major Gifts Director coordinates and implements fund raising programs to secure supplemental funding, beyond the District appropriation, to support UDC operations and advancement. The role is also responsible for advancing a positive and accurate image of the University and its programs.
This position plays a critical role in advancing UDC’s philanthropic goals by building and managing a robust pipeline of major donors and strengthening long-term donor relationships. The Director designs and implements a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with institutional priorities and fundraising objectives.
The Director of Major Gifts reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement and operates with a high degree of professional autonomy and judgment. This role does not include responsibility for Leadership Gifts ($1,000,000 and above), which are managed separately, but collaborates as appropriate to ensure seamless donor progression and stewardship. This position works closely with advancement operations, stewardship, alumni relations, and academic leadership. The work directly impacts the University’s ability to secure philanthropic resources that support academic programs, student success, faculty initiatives, and institutional growth.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Fundraising (45%)
Manages a portfolio of approximately 90 – 110 qualified major gift prospects, with responsibility for donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Personally solicits major gifts through in-person visits, proposals, and tailored engagement strategies.
Develops customized proposals and naming opportunity pitches aligned with donor interests and University priorities.
Coordinates with advancement leadership to support appropriate donor transitions into Leadership Gifts portfolios when capacity and readiness warrant.
Major Gifts Strategy & Program Leadership (20%)
Leads the planning and execution of the University’s major gifts program, focused on gifts of $10,000 through seven figures ($1M+), in alignment with institutional priorities and campaign goals.
Develops and implements annual and multi-year strategies to grow major gift revenue and donor engagement.
Serves as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Advancement and the Chief Advancement Officer on major gift strategy, pipeline health, and prospect movement.
Partners with deans, faculty, and unit leaders to translate academic and institutional priorities into compelling major gift opportunities.
Revenue Responsibility (10%)
Carries significant revenue responsibility, with annual major-gift fundraising expectations typically ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, exclusive of Leadership Gifts.
Tracks progress against fundraising goals and adjusts strategy as needed in consultation with the Vice President for Advancement.
Operations, Data & Reporting (10%)
Ensures accurate and timely documentation of donor activity, pipeline status, and solicitation outcomes in the University’s CRM (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce).
Uses data and analytics, Evertrue and ResearchPoint platforms to inform strategy, monitor performance, and forecast revenue.
Prepares reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Stewardship & Donor Engagement (10%)
Ensures consistent, high-quality stewardship for all major gift donors, demonstrating impact and reinforcing donor confidence.
Collaborates with stewardship, alumni relations, and communications teams to deliver coordinated recognition and engagement.
Develops innovative stewardship strategies to strengthen donor retention and long-term commitment.
Innovation & Collaboration (5%)
Applies best practices and innovative fundraising approaches to strengthen the major gifts pipeline.
Contributes to a collaborative, results-oriented culture within the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Represents the University professionally with donors, alumni, and external partners.
Requirements
Minimum Job Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in major gifts fundraising, advancement, or a related field.
Demonstrated success soliciting and closing gifts in the five to six-figure range.
Strong relationship-building skills with high-net-worth individuals and institutional donors.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems (Salesforce or Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge preferred).
Experience in higher education or other mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and manage the work of others, including setting expectations, providing feedback, supporting performance, and applying University policies and procedures.
APPLICANTS MUST APPLY THROUGH UDC'S ONLINE PLATFORM---Please do not send resume to staff.
