Director of Philanthropy

Colorado Community College System; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Community College System Foundation seeks an entrepreneurial Director of Philanthropy to grow a dynamic donor portfolio and exceed annual fundraising goals. The role focuses on major and transformation gifts, while also advancing donor engagement and stewardship across individuals, corporations, and national foundations.

Three days per week in our Lowry office are required for meetings with System Office staff, with extensive travel mainly within Colorado.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of fundraising, major gifts, sales, or related experience.
• Experience cultivating donor relationships and securing five-figure gifts or higher.
• Experience building and managing a donor portfolio across the full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own the full donor pipeline from identification to stewardship and renewal.
• Design and manage fundraising strategies for major gifts and annual gifts from individuals, corporations, and national foundations.
• Advise CCCS leadership for donor meetings and solicitations.
• Collaborate with constituents to advance donor relationships and coordinate gift arrangements and documentation.
• Oversee donor stewardship through personalized outreach and communications.
• Identify and engage new donor prospects using entrepreneurial approaches and sales techniques.
• Personally solicit and close five-figure and above commitments.

Skills

Fundraising

Major Gifts

Donor Relations

Portfolio Management

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Director of Philanthropy serves in the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges (CCCS Foundation). This entrepreneurial leader is responsible for growing and managing a dynamic portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation, including national foundations, donors with a mandate to double the number of active donors at the $1,000+ level within the next 2–3 years. You will be accountable for meeting and exceeding annual fundraising goals. At is core, this role is responsible for major and transformation gifts, but also oversees donor engagement strategies, including stewardship initiatives, mailings, e-solicitations, and special convenings, with no reliance on fundraising events.

Note: Three days per week in our Lowry office is required for meetings with other System Office staff. Extensive travel, primarily within Colorado, will also be required.

This position is currently funded through 12/31/2028.

This recruitment is being posted until filled, with a priority deadline of November 3, 2026.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the full donor pipeline—from identification and acquisition to stewardship and renewal.
• Design, implement, and manage comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure major gifts and lead annual fund gifts from individuals, corporations, and national foundations.
• Advise and prepare CCCS leadership, including the Chancellor, Chief Development Officer, and Executive Director, for donor meetings and solicitations.
• Work closely with constituents to advance donor relationships, drive new/renewed giving, coordinate gift arrangements and documentation, and oversee stewardship of assigned donors.
• Cultivate and steward relationships through one-on-one meetings, personalized outreach, and strategic communications.
• Proactively identify, research, and engage new donor prospects, leveraging entrepreneurial approaches and sales techniques to build a robust and diverse donor base.
• Personally solicit and close gifts, including major and lead annual fund gifts, with a focus on five-figure and above commitments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree. An equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may substitute for the degree.
• Three years of successful experience in fundraising, major gifts, sales, business development, or a comparable relationship-driven role.
• Experience cultivating relationships and securing gifts, sales, or commitments, including at the five-figure level and above.
• Experience building and managing a portfolio of donors or prospects across the full relationship lifecycle – from identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship and continued engagement.