Director of Major Gifts

The James Beard Foundation (“JBF”) is a vital cultural institution with deep roots honoring and advancing the culinary arts industry. JBF’s mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. As a 501(c) (3) national non-profit organization, JBF brings its mission to life through the annual James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused initiatives and programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country. 

The James Beard Foundation is undergoing a period of organizational transformation and increased philanthropic support in FY23, including the launch of the silent phase of a new $15 Million campaign. As the Foundation continues to evolve to be an impact-first organization, building a culture of philanthropy and a robust Development Department are critical. Moving forward, the greatest philanthropic opportunity for the Foundation is to further develop a robust portfolio of philanthropic support through major gifts, special fundraising initiatives, fundraising events, and donor cultivation. 

The Director of Major Gifts is a key role working within the Development Department, with a focus on campaign fundraising. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of Major Gifts will lead the strategic effort around our campaign, including: prospecting and management of the discovery process, campaign reporting, planning of cultivation events focused on campaign and major gifts prospects, coordinating with colleagues to identify opportunities for major gifts within our membership and other fundraising programs, and direct responsibility for a portfolio of up to 200 major gifts prospects in various stages of cultivation.  

Responsibilities 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of up to 200 major donors, prospects and suspects, with an emphasis on campaign fundraising. 
• In collaboration with the Vice President of Development and the Marketing and Communications Department, oversees the development of campaign materials, including revised case, program-specific collateral, and other communications to support our fundraising efforts. 
• Initiates, manages, attends, and follows up on philanthropic special events. 
• Conducts 12-24 personal visits with suspects, prospects, and donors per month, and participates in at least 30 strategic solicitations per year. 
• Raises a minimum of $1,500,000 per year, and develops a regional budget based on qualified suspects, prospects, and MG donors in collaboration with the Development staff and the Vice President of Development 
• In collaboration with the appropriate colleagues in the Development Department and Operations Department, gathers data, oversees our development research functions, assesses prospects, and develops strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects. 
• Develops written strategies and plans for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation meetings with donors. 
• Coordinates and participates in suspect, prospect and donor meetings, visits and trips. 
• Works closely with the Director of Development and Senior Manager of Development to identify and cultivate members who have the capacity to move to a major gift and/or planned giving strategy. 

• Gathers, records, and properly stores information about suspects, prospects and donors utilizing Salesforce. 
• Perform other duties as required or assigned. 

Requirements

To be effective in this role, key core competencies and personal characteristics include: 

• 5+ years’ professional fundraising experience required.  
• Development office, major gifts and/or planned giving experience required. 
• Strong written communications skills; experience developing fundraising collateral and messaging strongly preferred, with an ability to understand, interpret, and synthesize complex programmatic information. 
• Previous work engaging high-level volunteers and Trustees desirable.   
• Strong organizational skills.  Demonstrated ability to establish schedules, set priorities, and meet deadlines.  Must be able to balance and complete multiple projects and daily responsibilities. 
• Must be able to communicate with key program and executive staff, and possess the capability of motivating volunteers, professional staff, and donors.   
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.  Demonstrated ability to use problem solving skills for resolving donor questions and issues.  Demonstrated businesslike manner and ability to function efficiently in a busy work environment. 
• Experience with fundraising databases; Salesforce experience is ideal. 
• Management experience is preferred. 
• Track record working successfully in teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspective, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

 
The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $115,000. 

Benefits

JBF offers its employees a dynamic work environment with benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents; life insurance; flexible spending account; commuter benefits; retirement savings; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement/ professional development; and generous paid time off. We also offer fertility planning support and up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Additional perks include staff events, tickets to events at Platform by JBF (Pier 57), and much more.  

 The Foundation currently works a hybrid schedule that requires employees to be in our NYC office 2-3 days per week. This position is not eligible for relocation.  

 JBF requires all employees to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 unless a medical or religious accommodation is needed in accordance with applicable law.