Unite America: Director, Development (Principal Gifts)

CO

$120,000 / Yearly

Unite America

Advance

Non-Profit

Apply here: https://apply.workable.com/uniteamerica/j/C119C1ECBF/

https://apply.workable.com/uniteamerica/j/C119C1ECBF/

## Description
Unite America seeks a full-time Director, Development (Principal Gifts). Reporting to the Vice President, Fundraising (a forthcoming role that is also to be hired), and serving as an integral member of Unite America’s Investor Relations team, this individual will have a primary focus of securing seven- and eight-figure philanthropic gifts. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors capable of making significant contributions to Unite America’s fund and operations. This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships particularly with high-net-worth individuals, and potentially with foundations and corporations as well.
The ideal candidate possesses a strategic mindset and a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies tailored to secure significant gifts from high-net-worth individuals. This individual has expertise engaging with major donors authentically, understanding their philanthropic interests, and effectively stewarding their contributions. It will be necessary for this individual to thrive in an environment where ambitious goals are the norm, underpinned by a passion for achieving results and making a tangible impact. This position also offers the ideal candidate the opportunity to contribute to a strong team culture within a fast-paced startup environment. 
Unite America believes that there is strength in diversity and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply.
The position will ideally be based at Unite America’s headquarters in Denver, CO, although remote candidates will be considered; Unite America offers a stipend for new hires willing to relocate. Remote employees may be expected to travel 1–2 times per quarter for team meetings and retreats, and this role may require some degree of additional travel (e.g., 1–2 times per month) for business purposes.
## Requirements
**RESPONSIBILITIES**
Strategy Development
- Develop comprehensive fundraising strategies focused on securing major gifts from individuals in the seven to eight-figure range.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals and priorities.
Prospect Identification & Research
- In partnership with the Sr Director of Strategy & Operations, conduct thorough research to identify potential major donors with the capacity to make significant contributions.
- Utilize wealth screening tools and prospect research techniques to assess capacity, philanthropic interests, and connections.
Donor Cultivation & Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective major donors, ensuring personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies.
- Engage donors through personalized communication, meetings, and events to deepen their connection to the organization's mission and impact.
- Utilize Salesforce to track interactions, produce contact notes, and conduct appropriate constituent follow-up, helping to maintain a strong systems and data environment.
Proposal Development and Solicitation:
- Create compelling proposals, case statements, and presentations tailored to the interests and priorities of major donors.
- Lead solicitation efforts, including direct asks, proposal submissions, and negotiations, to secure seven- to eight-figure gifts.
Collaboration and Coordination:
- Work closely with the Investor Relations team, senior leadership, and board members to coordinate fundraising efforts and leverage relationships.
- Collaborate with programmatic staff to develop funding opportunities aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Minimum 5–7 years experience in fundraising, with a focus on securing major gifts of seven to eight figures
- Proven track record of successfully soliciting and closing significant gifts primarily from individuals, and secondarily from foundations and corporations.
- A strong sense of fundraising ethics and practices, and respect for confidentiality of donor information. 
- Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors at all levels.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission and impact effectively.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute fundraising plans aligned with organizational goals.
- Collaborative team player with experience working cross-functionally within an organization.
- Willingness to be part of a collaborative, startup environment where much building remains in progress, and work closely with colleagues to do so effectively. 
- Proficiency in donor management systems and prospect research tools
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
- Passion for Unite America’s mission

**OUR ORGANIZATION**
Unite America is a non-partisan, philanthropic venture fund that invests in candidates, campaigns, and organizations in order to advance nonpartisan election reforms that will foster a more representative and functional government capable of solving America’s most pressing challenges.
Founded in 2014, Unite America and its 25+ person team has grown to be a leader in the democracy reform movement. The organization has existed in its current form, and with its current primary focus, since 2019; in that time, we have successfully mobilized tens of millions of dollars from scores of philanthropists to candidates and reform campaigns across the country.
Recent victories where we played a leading or a major supporting role to win: a major anti-gerrymandering campaign in Virginia; a first-of-its-kind,top-four nonpartisan primary system in Alaska that helped elect one of the most ideologically diverse slate of statewide officeholders in recent history; and a ballot initiative in Nevada to implement Alaska-style reforms in that state. We are poised to dramatically scale our impact in the years to come.
At Unite America, we are working to build a more representative and functional government that puts voters first and reflects the diversity of our country, and an inclusive democracy in which leaders embrace problem-solving over fueling divisiveness. Likewise, we have a vision of building an organization that reflects diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives; a culture of working across differences toward common goals; and a workplace where everyone feels included, respected, and heard. To that end, Unite America is proud to have made diversifying our team, ensuring more equitable opportunity, and fostering a culture of belonging a priority. Our organizational values reinforce this commitment as we work to model the leadership we seek, solve problems together, and take care of one another, to name a few.
## Benefits
THE PERKS
- Competitive Compensation ($120k-$150k) 
- 401(k) Plan (with up to a 3% employer contribution match)
- Health Care Plan (medical, dental, and vision)
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (vacation, sick days, public holidays, and team-wide wellness days)
- Family Leave (maternity, paternity, and adoption)
- Paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff
- Training & Professional Development
- Wellness Resources
- Opportunity to join an inclusive, vibrant, and diverse team