Director of Individual Giving

Job Description

Job Description

Location : Silver Spring, Maryland
Supervisor : VP of Development
Status : Full-time, Exempt

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a dynamic Director of Individual Giving , who will be responsible for continuing to build and enhance our individual donor portfolio, processes, and strategy.

Working closely with the VP of Development, the President & CEO, and the Development Team, the Director of Individual Giving will have the primary responsibility for raising funds from individual major donors and family foundations through major gifts, while also developing and executing a planned giving strategy. The person in this role will also be responsible for diversifying the portfolio of individual major gifts through new efforts, targeted stewardship, and meaningfully curated donor content to achieve the Foundation’s annual and long-term fundraising and revenue goals. The Director of Individual Giving will set the strategy and execute fundraising plans for sustaining and growing the pipeline to increase the Foundation’s unrestricted revenue. The person in this role will also support donor stewardship efforts of the President & CEO, as well as Executive Leadership, and members of the Board, when necessary.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and a collaborative work environment. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal-level and individual donors and prospects.
• Build a robust, ever-evolving pipeline or prospective and recurring donors, thinking about long-term sustainable revenue; possess an awareness of what donors expect from organizations they champion.
• Develop and execute solicitation and cultivation strategies to grow and maintain all the pipeline of all individual donors.
• Utilize data, insights, and a strategic eye to continually refine your approach to take advantage of new opportunities,
• Oversee a strategy and significantly grow the Foundation’s low-dollar grassroots donor pipeline, working collaboratively with outside contractors on direction and content.
• Identify and integrate new tools and technologies to support enhanced fundraising and new donor engagement strategies.
• Actively develop and implement new engagement strategies to inspire donors and prospects to champion and invest in the Foundation.
• Schedule and hold personal meetings, both on-site and off-site, with donors, and lead the preparation and background research in advance, as it relates to individual donors and prospects.
• Build and execute a communications strategy that aligns with a donor audience in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Oversee donor prospecting of individuals, including research, rating and screening sessions.
• Follow up on marketing campaigns, individual inquiries, and personal outreach to generate leads and develop contacts for solicitation.
• Ensure accurate and complete records of donor communications and interactions, and gifts received.
• Monitor revenue and expenses related to Individual Giving on a quarterly basis and monitor reporting activities.
• Contribute to the growth of our planned giving program, implementing new strategies and protocols to attract new bequests.
• Perform other duties as needed.
• Regular attendance required.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications :

• Bachelor's Degree and 8-10 years of individual giving and major gifts fundraising experience.
• Strong experience utilizing Salesforce or similar donor database (i.e. Raisersedge) and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Previous experience working in a mission driven non-profit organization.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the confidence/outgoing personality needed to engage senior executives, donors, potential donors, and external partners at the highest level.
• Proven writing skills, including experience in writing direct mail appeals and e-appeals.
• Strong customer-service orientation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of internal management and staff, as well as independently.
• Experience with budgeting, planning and project administration.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle diverse, simultaneous tasks, meet deadlines, and attend to follow-through in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to support key administrative tasks such donor acknowledgement letters, gift processing, etc.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Why You Will Love Us

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the-water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies. 

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays
• Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service
• Commuter Benefits

Compensation and Benefits : $90,000 - $115,000 annually based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package. 

Apply through the Foundation’s online portal . A resume, cover letter, and three professional references are required. Applications must be received by June 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

Location : Silver Spring, Maryland (HQ office).

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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and a collaborative work environment. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.