Director of Philanthropy

Director Of Philanthropy (Major Gifts)

Reporting to the Managing Director of Development, the Director of Philanthropy (Major Gifts) will play a critical role in the rapid growth of Year Up United to serve more students. The Director of Philanthropy (Major Gifts) will manage a portfolio of 100-150 major donors/prospects and conduct over 150 face-to-face donor visits per year, in support of the Year Up United mission and ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.

To be successful in this role, you'll be someone who has a strong track record of cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding donors at the five-to-six-figure gift level. You will feel at home working in an environment that requires you to juggle multiple priorities and competing deadlines, while never losing sight of the overarching goals and desired outcomes. As an ideal candidate for this role, you are also adept at translating goals into tangible projects and targets, collect pledges and ensure cash needs are met.

In keeping with Year Up United's values, Director of Philanthropy will also have the opportunity to interact with students as coach, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in creating and sustaining a positive educational environment, with trust among students, faculty and site leaders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward donors at the five - six figure gift level and prep leadership or other influencers involved in donor relationships
• Connect & engage with high net worth individuals likely to make $10k+ commitments
• Manage a portfolio of 100-150 donors and conduct over 150 personal visits annually with existing donors and prospects
• Partner with the Development team lead in developing and executing a multi-year plan and strategy for major gifts
• Track all contacts and activity in fundraising database (Salesforce.com)
• Collaborate and coordinate with Development staff on all necessary prospect research, communication and cultivation event logistics
• Maintain confidentiality of all donor-related information
• Other duties as assigned

• Serve as a coach/mentor for a small number of current students
• Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings

Qualifications:

• At least 5-7 years of fundraising success with an emphasis on major gifts
• Demonstrated comfort and experience with identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and closing significant gifts
• Ability to successfully engage, cultivate, and steward long-term partnerships that will ensure the philanthropic success of Year Up United
• Capacity for strategic leadership and vision to work with senior leadership on fundraising priorities and to use moves management and metrics to ensure accountability
• Effectiveness in independent and team work, with assiduous attention to sharing information with others
• Communications skills sufficient for clearly discussing complex issues with diverse audiences and energizing listeners
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills
• Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Experience in Salesforce or donor database preferred
• Strong execution and follow-up
• Highly self-motivated, accountable and able to make decisions independently
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Salary Range: $115,00 - $152,000

Working at Year Up United: Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit:

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate's skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.
• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

** This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis).

Organization Description: Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United's intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

Commitment To Diversity:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

To Apply:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

We respectfully request no phone calls.