About The Head of Major Gifts Role
The Head of Major Gifts will work closely with the Development Director and Executive Director to secure funding for our PAC/527, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) programs. They will oversee all phases of the major donor lifecycle including new major donor prospect research, collateral creation and event planning and execution. This position requires strong project management, research, and writing skills. The Head of Major Gifts is part of the Development Department and reports to the Development Director.
Responsibilities:
Major Gift Fundraising (70%)
Lead all stages of the major donor lifecycle, including acquisition, retention, and upgrade
Oversee ongoing new major donor prospect research by the Development Manager; conduct a large volume of new major donor research and outreach as well.
Perform donor screenings to identify upgrade prospects (i.e., wealth screenings, donor conversions).
Prepare detailed briefing materials ahead of funder calls and meetings, with support from the Development Manager.
Provide the Executive Director with relationship-building support by developing timelines, tactics, and materials for major donor outreach.
Design, develop, and oversee Development Manager to execute department programs, including:
Acknowledgments (e.g., major donor notecards, midlevel donor letters)
Recurring gifts (e.g., welcome emails, customer service, monthly receipts, reinstatement campaigns)
Tribute gifts (e.g., program liaison, copy development)
Collateral (15%)
Draft Monthly Funder Update, with approval by the Executive Director.
Support development of funder-facing collateral and communications (e.g., funding proposals, Impact Report).
Management & Reporting (10%)
Manage and mentor junior Development Manager.
Report back to the Development Director on program plans and outcomes.
Events and Miscellaneous (5%)
Lead key aspects of fundraising event execution, including invitation production, host committee formation, guest recruitment, and day-of logistics.
Provide support around grant applications and report preparation (e.g., content collection, supplementary materials).
Specific Job Requirements:
5+ years of experience in major gift fundraising ($1,000+).
1+ years of experience managing staff.
Demonstrated analytical and persuasive writing skills. including the ability to clearly convey complex information.
Strong project management and administrative skills as well as the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
Intermediate to expert skills in Google Workspace.
Superb attention to detail.
Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines without sacrificing quality.
Creativity and ability to implement innovative ideas to improve process management.
Demonstrated interest in the mission, vision and values of Sister District.
Bonus Points:
Experience with political fundraising.
Experience with grant research and grant management software, including Instrumentl and Candid.
Experience creating collateral.
Physical Requirements:
Start Date
Position and Pay
This is a full-time, remote position that can be fulfilled from anywhere in the United States. Pay will commensurate with experience, in the range of $85,000 to $105,000 per year. Our generous benefits package includes:
Employer sponsored health insurance plan with 100% premium paid by Sister District
401(k) plan with discretionary end of year bonus
Cell phone and Internet reimbursement up to $100 per month
Home office reimbursement
Professional development reimbursement
Generous family leave
Opportunity for spot and year-end bonuses
Unlimited vacation
Summer Half Day Fridays
Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
25 organization-wide holidays including the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Years Day
The Organization
Since launching in the wake of the 2016 elections, Sister District has grown to nearly 70,000 volunteers across the country. We have endorsed candidates in 177 races across 18 states, 115 of whom won and have gone on to fight for progressive issues in their state legislatures. We have raised more than $5.9 million in small-dollar donations directly for our candidates. Our organizing efforts have reached out to more than 4.1 million voters through phones, texts, postcards, and door knocks. We also partner deeply with our campaigns to provide professional training, advice, and guidance to help candidates and staff build winning campaigns.
Sister District not only helps to win urgent elections each year, but also builds Democratic infrastructure for the long term. We do this by training newly elected legislators and former candidates, conducting academic-quality civic research, supporting community-based organizations, and more.
We are proud to be an organization founded and led by women, including women of color.