Director of Major Gifts

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden Counties and its trained volunteers advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system. Through collaborative efforts, CASA ensures children receive the individual attention and support they need to thrive. Role Description The Director of Major Gifts will be responsible for developing and executing the organization’s strategy for major gift fundraising. This role is key to expanding CASA’s capacity to advocate for children in foster care by cultivating, securing, and stewarding significant contributions from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to build relationships with prospective major donors, ensuring that CASA continues to grow its impact. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy, with specific targets for annual and multi-year giving. Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors with a focus on securing gifts of $5,000+. Build and maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects, ensuring personalized stewardship plans. Monitor fundraising progress, analyze trends, and adjust strategies as needed to meet objectives. Donor Cultivation & Stewardship Lead cultivation and stewardship efforts for major donors and prospects, ensuring they feel connected to the organization's mission and the impact of their contributions. Plan and execute high-level donor gatherings. Ensure timely and effective donor acknowledgment and recognition, including personalized thank-you notes, impact reports, and regular updates. Collaborate with the development team to integrate major gifts fundraising into broader fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, planned giving, and corporate sponsorships. Provide regular updates to the Executive Director on progress toward major gift goals. Work with the Board of Trustees to engage them in major gift efforts, providing them with the tools, training, and support they need to solicit and steward major gifts. Help maintain donor records and track fundraising progress using the organization’s database. Relationship Building Serve as the primary point of contact for major gift donors, building long-term relationships. Actively participate in networking events and opportunities to connect with potential major donors. Ensure CASA’s visibility in the community, attending key events and promoting CASA’s mission. Experience The ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience in non-profit major gift fundraising, with a proven track record of securing five-figure gifts and managing a high-net-worth donor portfolio. Qualifications BA/BS Degree is required Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with donors, board members, and other key stakeholders. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages and presentations for major donors. Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies. Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative environment. Deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and fundraising best practices. Knowledge of child welfare issues, foster care, and the CASA mission is a plus. Familiarity with planned giving, foundation giving, and corporate sponsorships is an advantage. Willingness to work a flexible schedule is also required. Experience with donor management software. Travel required between the three-county service area of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden. Occasional participation in evening and weekend community events would also be expected. #J-18808-Ljbffr Court Appointed Special Advocates