Director, Major Gifts — Lead Transformational Philanthropy

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 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.