OVERVIEW:Reporting to the Managing Director of Development, the Director of Philanthropy (Major Gifts) will play a critical role in the rapid growth of Year Up United to serve more students. The Director of Philanthropy (Major Gifts) will manage a portfolio of 100-150 major donors/prospects and conduct over 150 face-to-face donor visits per year, in support of the Year Up United mission and ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.
To be successful in this role, you'll be someone who has a strong track record of cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding donors at the five-to-six-figure gift level. You will feel at home working in an environment that requires you to juggle multiple priorities and competing deadlines, while never losing sight of the overarching goals and desired outcomes. As an ideal candidate for this role, you are also adept at translating goals into tangible projects and targets, collect pledges and ensure cash needs are met.
In keeping with Year Up United's values, Director of Philanthropy will also have the opportunity to interact with students as coach, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in creating and sustaining a positive educational environment, with trust among students, faculty and site leaders.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Development- Identify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward donors at the five - six figure gift level and prep leadership or other influencers involved in donor relationships
- Connect & engage with high net worth individuals likely to make $10k+ commitments
- Manage a portfolio of 100-150 donors and conduct over 150 personal visits annually with existing donors and prospects
- Partner with the Development team lead in developing and executing a multi-year plan and strategy for major gifts
- Track all contacts and activity in fundraising database (Salesforce.com)
- Collaborate and coordinate with Development staff on all necessary prospect research, communication and cultivation event logistics
- Maintain confidentiality of all donor-related information
- Other duties as assigned
Site Team/Learning Community Member- Serve as a coach/mentor for a small number of current students
- Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
- Participate in staff meetings and trainings
QUALIFICATIONS:- At least 5-7 years of fundraising success with an emphasis on major gifts
- Demonstrated comfort and experience with identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and closing significant gifts
- Ability to successfully engage, cultivate, and steward long-term partnerships that will ensure the philanthropic success of Year Up United
- Capacity for strategic leadership and vision to work with senior leadership on fundraising priorities and to use moves management and metrics to ensure accountability
- Effectiveness in independent and team work, with assiduous attention to sharing information with others
- Communications skills sufficient for clearly discussing complex issues with diverse audiences and energizing listeners
- Exceptional writing and presentation skills
- Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Experience in Salesforce or donor database preferred
- Strong execution and follow-up
- Highly self-motivated, accountable and able to make decisions independently
- A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
- Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
SALARY RANGE: $115,00 - $152,000#LI-HybridWORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations
*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:- Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate's skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
- Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.
- Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.
** This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis). **
TO APPLY:Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.
We respectfully request no phone calls.
