Director, Major Gifts

Uncommon Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 116,800 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) retirement

Paid time off

Job summary

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network operating nationwide with a focus on closing the college completion gap. We are seeking a Director, Major Gifts to manage a high‑capacity donor portfolio and lead the full lifecycle of fundraising from cultivation to closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.

You will partner with school and Home Office leaders, craft tailored engagement strategies, and connect donors to our mission through meaningful giving opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience or an equivalent track record building major gift portfolios.
• Frontline fundraising with focus on major or principal gifts.
• Experience managing high-net-worth portfolios and six- to seven-figure gifts.
• Strong relationships with senior executives, trustees, philanthropists, or similar stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to convey mission and impact.
• Ability to develop donor strategies, proposals, and engagement plans.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, pipeline tracking, and revenue forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies aligned with donor interests and Uncommon’s priorities.
• Create proposals and tailored communications to support fundraising efforts.
• Lead in-person and virtual donor engagements, school visits, and curated experiences.
• Translate impact into compelling narratives to inspire philanthropic investment.
• Ensure timely stewardship to strengthen long-term donor relationships.
• Identify and qualify new prospects and expand donor networks.
• Maintain donor records and forecast revenue with cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Donor relations

Portfolio mgmt

Proposals & pitches

Fundraising strategy

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high‑performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K‑12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

As Director, Major Gifts, you will build and manage a portfolio of high‑capacity donors and prospects, leading the full lifecycle of major gift fundraising, from identifying and cultivating new relationships to securing transformational philanthropic investments and stewarding long‑term partnerships. You will develop individualized engagement strategies, partner closely with school and Home Office leaders, and connect donors to Uncommon Schools’ mission through meaningful opportunities to invest in student success. Your work will play a critical role in expanding philanthropic support and advancing our organizational priorities.

Portfolio Management & Fundraising Strategy

• Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships
• Design and execute individualized strategies to align donor interests with Uncommon’s priorities
• Develop proposals, letters of inquiry, and tailored communications to support fundraising efforts

Donor Engagement & Relationship Building

• Lead in‑person and virtual engagement with donors through meetings, school visits, and curated experiences
• Translate Uncommon’s impact into clear, compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic investment
• Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship to strengthen long‑term donor relationships

Prospect Identification & Network Expansion

• Identify and qualify new prospective donors through research, events, and outreach
• Partner with internal stakeholders and leadership to expand access to new donor networks
• Contribute to building a strong pipeline of high‑capacity prospects

Pipeline Management & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Maintain accurate donor records and pipeline data in Salesforce or similar systems
• Forecast revenue and track progress toward fundraising goals
• Collaborate with development, marketing, and program teams to align messaging and engagement strategies

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of professional experience or an equivalent track record building and managing sophisticated major gift portfolios
• Demonstrated experience in frontline fundraising, with a focus on major or principal gifts
• Proven success managing a portfolio of high‑net‑worth individuals and personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing six‑ and seven‑figure philanthropic gifts
• Experience building trusted relationships with senior executives, trustees, philanthropists, or other high‑profile stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey mission and impact
• Experience developing donor strategies, proposals, and engagement plans
• Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM systems, including pipeline tracking and revenue forecasting

Preferred:

• Familiarity with the New York City philanthropic landscape
• Experience collaborating across teams to support fundraising strategy
• Strong analytical skills to support planning and decision‑making

Physical Requirements

• Minimal physical demands, including extended periods working at a desk

Not sure you meet every qualification? We encourage you to apply—we’re excited to learn what you bring.

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

The full compensation range for this role is $116,800–$146,000. Typically, new hires who fully meet all qualifications listed in the job description will start at $124,100. Starting compensation below this reflects candidates with less experience or qualifications. Offers near the top end of the range are reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the qualifications, bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise beyond what is listed.

Compensation determinations consider relevant professional experience and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Additionally, because we value internal growth and tenure, current staff members are not subject to salary caps within this range.

Work Environment

Uncommon is an in‑person organization, with a commitment of at least three days each week at our Central Office in downtown Manhattan (100 Church Street).

Benefit Highlights

• 19 days of paid time off
• 3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org‑wide holidays
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Pre‑tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve—with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits 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 characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [e-mail].