Senior Manager of Major Gifts

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Manager of Major Gifts develops and executes fundraising strategies that increase philanthropic support for the mission and strategic priorities of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and prospects, with a particular focus on securing gifts of $5,000–$10,000+.

The Senior Manager of Major Gifts manages a portfolio of major donors and prospective donors and supports broader fundraising initiatives, including alumnae giving, foundation and corporate partnerships, grants, sponsorships, annual giving, and special campaigns. The position builds strong donor relationships, develops compelling cases for support, and creates personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies that increase donor engagement and long-term philanthropic investment.

Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, CEO, Board members, volunteers, and staff, the Senior Manager of Major Gifts uses prospect research, relationship management, data, and storytelling to build a strong fundraising pipeline and advance donors through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts and Donor Development

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $5,000–$10,000+.
• Manage and grow an assigned portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.
• Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies based on donor interests, giving capacity, and organizational priorities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective donors through research, referrals, events, networking, and relationship development.
• Develop compelling cases for support, donor proposals, impact reports, presentations, and personalized communications.
• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer, CEO, Board members, and volunteers on donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Conduct donor meetings, presentations, tours, and other engagement activities designed to strengthen donor relationships.
• Develop strategies to increase donor retention, upgrades, recurring giving, and long-term philanthropic support.
• Support legacy and lifetime giving initiatives, including engagement and stewardship of members of the Council's Lifetime Giving Society.

Fundraising Strategy and Revenue Development

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies aligned with Council priorities and annual revenue goals.
• Support diversified fundraising efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, alumnae giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and special campaigns.
• Identify opportunities to increase philanthropic support from individuals, alumnae, corporations, foundations, and community partners.
• Establish and monitor fundraising activity, pipeline, and performance metrics.
• Use donor and fundraising data to identify opportunities, evaluate progress, and strengthen donor retention and engagement.
• Assist in the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns and initiatives.

Prospect Research and Portfolio Management

• Conduct prospect research to identify individuals, foundations, corporations, and other potential funding partners.
• Evaluate donor interests, giving history, philanthropic priorities, and capacity to identify potential major gift opportunities.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, cultivation activity, and moves management information in Raiser's Edge or the Council's designated CRM.
• Monitor portfolio activity and donor pipeline progress and provide regular reports on fundraising activity and opportunities.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding donor, financial, and organizational information.

Grants, Corporate Partnerships, and Sponsorships

• Research foundation and corporate funding opportunities aligned with Council priorities.
• Assist with developing grant proposals, letters of inquiry, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate partners and sponsors.
• Identify and develop sponsorship opportunities that align with organizational programs, events, and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with internal departments to identify fundable programs and initiatives and develop compelling funding opportunities.
• Support grant and sponsorship reporting and stewardship requirements.

Alumnae and Community Engagement

• Develop and support strategies to engage Girl Scout alumnae as donors, advocates, volunteers, and ambassadors.
• Identify opportunities to increase alumnae participation and philanthropic support.
• Build relationships with community leaders, organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders who can advance the Council's fundraising priorities.
• Represent Girl Scouts of Connecticut at community, donor, and fundraising events.

Development Operations and Collaboration

• Maintain accurate donor, prospect, gift, and activity information within the Council's donor database.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate gift recording, reconciliation, reporting, and donor acknowledgment.
• Work with Marketing and Communications to develop donor-centered messaging, fundraising materials, and impact communications.
• Partner with program and operational departments to understand program needs and translate organizational priorities into compelling funding opportunities.
• Support the development of a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Fundraising
• Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation
• Donor Relationship Management
• Prospect Research and Pipeline Development
• Donor Stewardship
• Fundraising Communications and Storytelling
• Corporate and Foundation Partnerships
• Grant Development
• Data-Informed Decision Making
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Project and Campaign Management
• Mission-Driven Leadership

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, marketing, public relations, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, philanthropy, advancement, sales, relationship management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors or clients.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a prospect pipeline and move relationships through stages of engagement.
• Experience securing or soliciting major gifts of $5,000 or more preferred.
• Experience with individual giving, corporate and foundation relations, sponsorships, or grant development preferred.
• Strong prospect research, relationship management, and donor stewardship skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong storytelling and proposal development skills.
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems; experience with Raiser's Edge NXT preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with donors, volunteers, Board members, executive leadership, community partners, and staff.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

KEY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Achievement of assigned fundraising and revenue goals.
• Growth in the major donor and prospective donor pipeline.
• Successful identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of $5,000–$10,000+ donors.
• Growth in donor retention, upgrades, and overall philanthropic engagement.
• Growth in alumnae giving and engagement.
• Development and expansion of corporate and foundation relationships.
• Successful grant and sponsorship opportunities.
• Accurate and timely donor activity and portfolio management.
• Advancement of Council fundraising campaigns and strategic philanthropic priorities.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Become a registered member and maintain membership with Girl Scouts of CT.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor meetings, fundraising events, and organizational functions.
• Statewide travel required.
• Valid Connecticut driver's license required.
• Must provide proof of required liability coverage for personal vehicle.
• Professional demeanor consistent with Girl Scouts of Connecticut policies and standards.
• Commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule in accordance with organizational policy.
• Work is performed in an office environment and in community, donor, and event-based settings throughout the Council's jurisdiction.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds.