Director, Major Gifts

About the Role

The Jewish Education Project Director of Major Gifts is responsible for developing and managing relationships with individuals whose philanthropic interests align with the agency’s mission, priorities, and vision for the future of Jewish education. The Director will lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects, with a focus on building meaningful, long-term partnerships. This is a highly relationship-driven fundraising role for an experienced major-gifts professional who is excited to build philanthropic partnerships around the future of Jewish education.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director will serve as a key leader of individual major gifts, with primary responsibility for building and managing a portfolio of major donors and prospects. The Director will work closely with the CAO, CEO, Board members, and program leaders to translate TJEP’s ambitious work into compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts Strategy and Portfolio Management

Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of 50-100 major gift prospects and donors.
Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships, increase philanthropic investment, and renew, upgrade, and re-engage donors.
Develop and maintain moves management plans, ensuring consistent donor engagement and timely movement through the fundraising cycle.

Donor Stewardship and Solicitation

Build deep relationships with donors and prospects by understanding their philanthropic interests and values.
Conduct donor visits, calls, and other personalized engagement activities.
Write targeted gift proposals, customized cases for support, and impact reports.
Lead or support major gift solicitations in partnership with senior agency leadership and volunteer leaders, coordinating follow-up and next steps.
Identify opportunities for donors to engage beyond financial support, including events, learning opportunities, program experiences, and leadership roles.

Research, Prospect Development, and Data

Conduct prospect research to identify new major gifts and assess capacity.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records and activity in the CRM.
Track giving trends, prospect activity, and portfolio performance to inform strategy.
Prepare donor profiles and briefing documents for agency leadership and volunteers.

Cross-Organizational Collaboration

Work collaboratively with the broader Advancement team to support coordinated donor strategies and a unified case for support.
Collaborate with program and marketing team to translate work into compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment.
Support agency leadership in growing the agency’s culture of philanthropy.

Success in the Role

Secure new, renewed, and upgraded major gifts in support of TJEP’s strategic priorities.
Increase the number and quality of active cultivation and solicitation opportunities.
Deepen relationships with existing major donors and qualify new pipeline prospects.
Establish and maintain a major-gift portfolio and moves-management practice.
Experience, Qualifications, and Competencies

7+ years of progressive experience in development, with significant experience managing major gifts and individual donor relationships in a nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and securing significant philanthropic support.
Exceptional relationship-building skills and ability to establish trust and credibility.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex programmatic work into compelling philanthropic narratives.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Experience using CRM systems; Salesforce experience is a plus.
Collaborative approach and a commitment to The Jewish Education Project’s mission.
Knowledge of the Jewish philanthropic community, Jewish education, or the broader Jewish nonprofit landscape a plus.
Willingness and ability to travel locally for donor meetings and events.