Director of Major Gifts

About Us

Issue One is committed to protecting the rule of law and winning game-changing reforms to fix America’s broken political system and ensure it works for everyone. 

Since 2014, Issue One has worked to educate the public and Congress to pass legislation to increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen U.S. elections.

Position Summary

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for designing and executing Issue One's 501(c)3 major gifts program, managing a portfolio of high-value donor relationships, and driving revenue growth through strategic cultivation and solicitation. This role works closely with the Executive Team and Board of Directors to steward top donors, develop compelling proposals, and ensure that major gifts strategies are data-informed and aligned with organizational priorities.

The Director of Major Gifts reports to the VP of Philanthropy and serves as the primary relationship manager for Issue One's major donor portfolio. The VP maintains their own portfolio of principal and transformational gift prospects ($50K+), while the Director manages the $10K-$50K portfolio and supports the VP's cultivation strategies for top donors.

Responsibilities

Major Gifts Portfolio Management (60%)

Lead and grow Issue One's major donor program (gifts of $10,000+), managing a personal portfolio of 75-100 major donor prospects and donors

Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each portfolio donor

Conduct donor research, wealth screening, and strategic segmentation to identify and qualify new major gift prospects

Make 5-10 donor visits per month (in-person or virtual) to advance relationships and secure gifts

Draft compelling proposals, reports, and updates tailored to individual donor interests and organizational priorities

Support donor cultivation in-person events throughout the country (with domestic travel expected approximately once per quarter)

Track and manage the donor pipeline using RFM analyses and strategic moves management

Meet or exceed annual major gifts revenue goals

Collaborate with the Senior Director of Foundations to identify prospects who may be appropriate for both individual and institutional giving strategies, and coordinate cultivation approaches for donors who give through both channels.

Executive and Board Partnership (20%)

Support the VP of Philanthropy and CEO in their major donor cultivation efforts by preparing briefing materials, coordinating logistics, and managing follow-up. The Director does not directly manage the CEO's or VP's donor portfolios but serves as a strategic partner in moving those relationships forward.

Coordinate with the Executive Team on major donor cultivation efforts, including briefings, meeting preparation, and follow-up

Partner with the Board of Directors on major gifts engagement, providing strategic guidance and support for board member fundraising activities

Prepare leadership for donor meetings with briefing materials, talking points, and strategic recommendations

Facilitate introductions and connections between donors and organizational leadership

Support the VP of Philanthropy in staffing the Board's Philanthropy Committee and Major Gifts Task Force by preparing briefing materials, coordinating logistics, managing follow-up, and attending meetings as needed to provide portfolio updates and operational support

Donor Stewardship and Communications (15%)

Serve as primary relationship manager for portfolio donors, building trust through consistent, personalized communication

Coordinate tailored stewardship efforts, including monthly touchpoints, impact updates, and event invitations

Draft donor-specific communications including thank-you letters, impact reports, and campaign updates

Recruit and support donor participation in events, briefings, and organizational activities

Data Management and Reporting (5%)

Ensure accurate and timely logging of donor contacts, next steps, and relationship notes in Salesforce.

Track revenue, donor activity, and progress toward fundraising goals

Generate reports on portfolio performance and major gifts pipeline health

Collaborate with the Philanthropy Operations Manager to maintain data integrity and donor records

Job-Related Experience 

5–7+ years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, donor relations, or relationship-based sales

Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of major donors or high-value clients with proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts

Experience with political advocacy, nonprofit fundraising, or democracy reform is highly preferred. Candidates should be comfortable with Issue One's bipartisan approach to democracy reform and able to authentically engage donors across the political spectrum.

Deep familiarity with the donor lifecycle and successful execution of moves management strategies

Experience working with donor databases (Salesforce preferred) and research tools (iWave)

Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities 

Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to connect authentically with high-net-worth individuals

Strong written and verbal communication with ability to craft compelling donor narratives and proposals

Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complex donor pipeline

Strategic thinking with comfort making independent decisions about donor engagement

Self-motivated with ability to work independently while collaborating across teams

Comfort with metrics-driven approach to fundraising and portfolio management

Understanding of  fundraising best practices, moves management and philanthropic trends 

Familiarity with democracy reform and the U.S. political system

Work Coordination And Supervision

This role is managed by the VP, Philanthropy, who provides strategic direction and oversight. The Director is expected to work independently and bring proactive recommendations to leadership for review and input.

Strategic Responsibilities

Set goals and lead donor engagement strategy for major gifts portfolio

Represent the Philanthropy team in cross-functional leadership meetings

Provide thought leadership on major gifts best practices

Development and Growth

Transferable Skills Gained in This Role

High-level donor engagement and relationship management

Strategic fundraising planning and execution

Revenue forecasting and pipeline management

Cross-functional collaboration with communications and policy teams

Executive partnership and board engagement

Potential Future Roles

Chief Development Officer

Vice President of Philanthropy 

Managing Director, Major Gifts

Executive Director of a nonprofit or advocacy organization

Growth Opportunities Within the Role

Shape and scale Issue One's major gifts program

Build relationships with influential philanthropists and democracy reform advocates

Participate in high-level decision-making around organizational strategy

Represent Issue One with key funders and external partners

Structure and Location

This full-time, salaried, fully benefited position requires 40 hours per week. The selected candidate must reside in the DMV area or be willing to relocate to this region with 30 days of accepting employment. All DMV-based staff are required to come to the office twice a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Benefits

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance: 

All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff. 

Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures. 

Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel.

Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. They are also eligible to be reimbursed for stepping outside of their comfort zone and doing something they have never done before. 

All staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship. 

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

March 12-25: The position is posted, and resumes are collected

March 26-31: Resumes are screened and top candidates are identified for interviews

April 1-8: First-round panel interviews take place

April 9-14: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place

April 15: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials)

May 1: New candidate begins (flexible start date)

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after March 25, there's no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

At Issue One, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to voluntarily complete our self-identification questionnaire. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities for success.

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity, or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.