Director of Individual and Major Giving

About The James Beard Foundation

The James Beard Foundation(“JBF”) is a vital cultural institution with deep roots honoring and advancing the culinary arts industry. JBF’s mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. As a 501(c) (3) national non-profit organization, JBF brings its mission to life through the annual James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused initiatives and programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country.

The Development Team is responsible for generating over $7 million in philanthropic support in FY27, with a goal to grow to $10M annually by FY29-30. All members of the Development team work to cultivate and support a culture of philanthropy within the organization and represent JBF externally in front of current and prospective donor audiences.

The Director of Individual and Major Giving is a frontline fundraiser and key member of JBF’s Development team. Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy, this role manages a portfolio of individual donors and major gift prospects, with responsibility for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts across giving levels — with particular focus on building JBF’s major gifts pipeline.

The Director leads individual giving strategy, partners with the VP on high-level donor relationships, and works closely with the Development Manager, who provides operational and administrative support across the department.

Requirements

Individual and Major Giving

• Manage a portfolio of individual and major gift donors and prospects; lead all phases of the donor cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy to identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects ($10,000+); prepare briefings, donor profiles, and talking points for high-level meetings and asks
• Develop and execute strategies to upgrade mid-level donors into the major gifts pipeline;identifyPatron Program members and Greens donors with major gift potential
• Oversee the Young Professionals Committee to ensure they have the direction and collateral they need to act as JBF ambassadors, helping to raise awareness and funds throughout the country.

Donor Communications and Stewardship

• Develop and implement a personalized stewardship plan for individual and major gift donors, including touchpoints, impact reporting, and recognition
• Develop compelling, tailored solicitation materials and proposals for major gift prospects; collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy and other senior staff on high-level gift asks
• Draft and edit donor correspondence, acknowledgements, case-for-support narratives, and other communications that advance individual and major gift relationships
• Coordinate with the Development Manager to ensure donor communications calendars, acknowledgements, and stewardship materials are executed on schedule

Prospect Research and Pipeline Development

• Lead proactive prospect research to identify and qualify individual major gift prospects; build and maintain a robust pipeline of donors with capacity at the $10,000+ level
• Prepare in-depth donor profiles, wealth assessments, and briefing materials in advance of cultivation meetings, events, and solicitations
• Conduct regular wealth screenings and philanthropic interest assessments; match prospects to JBF funding priorities and engagement opportunities

Patron Program and Donor Pipeline

• Assist the Development Manager and VP of Philanthropy in managing the Patron Program, with a focus on identifying Patron-level donors with major gift potential and developing upgrade strategies to advance them into major giving conversations
• Leverage cultivation events, Annual Gala, and Patron Program gatherings as opportunities to deepen relationships with major gift prospects and donors
• Serve as the primary liaison with the James Beard Young Patrons; build and steward relationships with Young Patron members to deepen engagement and cultivate pathways toward major giving
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy and Director of Institutional Giving to align individual giving efforts with broader fundraising strategy and institutional priorities

Portfolio and Moves Management

• Owns moves management for individual and major gift portfolio; maintains timely and accurate records of all cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity in Salesforce
• Set and track measurable portfolio goals, including visit targets, solicitation timelines, and revenue projections; report progress to the VP of Philanthropy
• Collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy on annual individual giving revenue goals and major gifts projections; contribute to departmental planning and reporting
• Work with the Development Manager to ensure portfolio donor records, wealth screenings, and contact reports are current and complete in Salesforce
• Represent JBF at cultivation events, donor meetings, and community gatherings; acting as an ambassador, embodying JBF values, and communicating with professionalism

Requirements

• 12 years minimum of frontline fundraising experience, with demonstrated success with individual giving/major gifts portfolios and closing mid-size to large gifts
• Passion for food culture, culinary equity, and the JBF mission; ability to articulate a compelling case for philanthropic investment
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and donor-centered approach; ability to engage high-net-worth individuals meaningfully
• Strategic thinker, creative problem solver, and excellent communicator with strong relationship management skills
• Excellent attention to detail, conscientious work ethic
• Excellent ability to multitask, prioritize projects, and work efficiently and independently in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM; experience with moves management or stewardship and cultivation, portfolio tracking, and donor pipelines
• Tech savvy, proficient in MS365, including Adobe Acrobat Pro, Monday.com
• High energy and passion for the James Beard Foundation’s mission
• Ability to deal effectively with the diversity of individuals at all organizational levels
• Ability to travel domestically and attend evening events as needed

Benefits

JBF offers its employees a dynamic work environment with benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents; life insurance; flexible spending account; commuter benefits; retirement savings; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement/ professional development; and generous paid time off. We also offer fertility planning support and up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave.

Additional perks include staff events, tickets to events at Platform by JBF (Pier 57), and much more.

The Foundation currently works on a hybrid schedule that requires employees to be in our NYC office 2 days per week. This position is not eligible for relocation.