Director, Major Gifts

The Director of Major Gifts is a key member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) development team and is responsible for implementing a comprehensive plan for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewardship of major donors to support NIHF’s programs. The Director of Major Gifts oversees all aspects of direct solicitation of major gifts, including prospect research, relationship building, solicitation strategy, stewardship, and organizational reporting. This position will manage a portfolio of donors with the potential of a major gift, defined as $15,000 or more.

Position Responsibilities

• Increase the fundraising ability and public visibility of NIHF’s programs and nonprofit mission.
• Implement major gift strategies to cultivate corporate, foundation, and individual partners for NIHF’s PreK-12 programs. Future fundraising opportunities may include NIHF Events and Museum.
• Work with the Chief Strategic Officer and the development team to collaboratively develop effective fundraising strategies for major donor giving initiatives.
• Strategically identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and major donor prospects within their portfolio.
• Develop ongoing relationships with major donors and implement cultivation strategies and creative communications.
• Identify existing donors with the affinity and capacity to grow their support.
• Maintain collaborative, creative relationships cross-departmentally to develop new ideas and processes to make NIHF more innovative, responsive, and efficient.
• Increase access to NIHF’s children’s education programs for diverse, underserved, and underrepresented groups.
• Communicate NIHF’s mission and programs to cultivate and steward relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Travel, as required, to develop relationships and follow through on qualified prospects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal, writing, and presentation skills.
• Self-directed, critical thinker who has demonstrated initiative and achievement of goals.
• Proven proficiency with MS Office and Salesforce or other donor management systems.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to changing priorities while adhering to deadlines.
• Proven prospect research capabilities.
• Adept at managing complex projects and effectively engaging interdepartmental collaborators.

Credentials and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5 years’ successful track record in nonprofit development and leadership.
• Demonstrated success in meeting and exceeding large fundraising goals.

Benefits of Working for the National Inventors Hall of Fame Include:

• Competitive benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, life, flexible spending, disability
• 401(k) plan and up to a 4% employer match
• Paid time off, paid holidays, paid year-end closure (12/24-1/1)
• Critical Illness/Hospital/Accident Supplemental Income plans available
• Pet Insurance plans available
• On-site workout facility
• Flexible workday scheduling, work-from-home time after six months
• Great team environment, opportunities for growth, and culture focused on professional development