Senior Director, Major Gifts & Philanthropy

Dallas Children's Advocacy Center; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center seeks a Director of Philanthropy – Major Gifts to lead frontline fundraising, steward high-capacity donors, and build a robust major gifts program in support of the Foundation’s mission.

The role partners with the President & CEO, Chief Advancement Officer, and Board members to secure transformational investments, manage a 125–175 donor portfolio, and drive a strategic engagement plan across cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CFRE preferred.
• 7–10 years progressive fundraising with an emphasis on major gifts.
• Experience securing five-, six-, and seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
• Experience collaborating with executives, governing boards, and volunteer leaders.
• Proven ability to inspire philanthropic investment through storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with the Foundation’s priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–175 qualified major gift donors and prospects.
• Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each assigned donor.
• Conduct regular face-to-face donor visits and meaningful relationship-building activities.
• Solicit leadership, major, and principal gifts, including multi-year commitments.
• Prepare compelling gift proposals, investment opportunities, and impact reports tailored to donor interests.
• Donor Relationship Management: build authentic, long-term relationships and maintain CRM records.
• Foundation Development: expand the pipeline of major gift prospects and identify funding opportunities.
• Executive & Board Partnership: align strategy with CEO/Board and volunteer leaders.
• Campaign Support: participate in campaigns and track progress to donor engagement.
• Collaboration: coordinate across departments for a seamless donor experience.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Moves management

Donor relationship building

Strategic planning

Donor qualification

Storytelling

Communication skills

CRM systems familiarity

Professionalism and discretion

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

CFRE designation

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Salesforce

Virtuous

Job description

Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center seeks a Director of Philanthropy – Major Gifts to lead frontline fundraising, steward high-capacity donors, and build a robust major gifts program in support of the Foundation’s mission.

The role partners with the President & CEO, Chief Advancement Officer, and Board members to secure transformational investments, manage a 125–175 donor portfolio, and drive a strategic engagement plan across cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.