Position Summary
The Senior Director of Transformational Gifts leads and executes HAF's strategy for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding ultra-high-net-worth individuals capable of making transformational philanthropic investments. Focused exclusively on developing relationships with multi-million-net-worth prospects and donors, this role designs and executes a thoughtful and highly personalized cultivation and engagement strategy that aligns each prospect's philanthropic interests with HAF's mission and strategic priorities.
Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Board of Patrons, the Senior Director of Transformational Gifts leverages relationships and networks to identify qualified prospects and advance them through every stage of the donor cultivation cycle.
In partnership with the Events team, the Senior Director of Transformational Gifts develops and executes curated, invitation-only experiences designed to deepen relationships, inspire transformational giving, and expand HAF's community of visionary philanthropists.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive principal gifts strategy focused exclusively on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding ultra-high-net-worth individuals capable of making transformational philanthropic investments.
- Build and manage a portfolio of qualified multi-million-net-worth prospects and donors.
- Partner closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to develop and advance relationships with HAF's highest-capacity prospects and donors, including preparing for and participating in donor meetings and solicitations.
- Engage and collaborate regularly with Board of Patrons to retain and grow their investment in HAF and to identify and engage prospective donors through their personal and professional networks
- Develop customized engagement plans that align each prospect's philanthropic interests and values with HAF's strategic priorities.
- Create compelling principal gift opportunities and proposals in partnership with HAF's programmatic leadership that inspire transformational investments and multi-year philanthropic commitments.
- Design and oversee unique, invitation-only events for ultra-high-net-worth prospects in collaboration with the Events team.
- Leverage existing donor database, wealth screening, and prospect research to identify new prospects.
- Maintain accurate donor records, cultivation plans, and activity reports in the organization's CRM, ensuring timely documentation and data integrity.
- Monitor and evaluate principal gift pipeline performance, providing regular reports on revenue projections to the Executive Director and CFO.
- Achieve annual principal gift fundraising, donor engagement, and portfolio performance goals established in partnership with the Executive Director.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years professional experience in nonprofit fundraising with demonstrated experience in securing six- and seven- figure commitments from ultra-high-net-worth individuals or families.
- Proven experience in developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for principal gift prospects.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate and sustain long-term relationships with sophisticated donors, family offices, and wealth advisors.
- Experience partnering with executive leadership, boards of directors, and influential volunteer leaders to secure transformational commitments.
- Proficiency with donor CRM systems.
- Proven track record with data analysis and fundraising campaigns.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to HAF's mission and values.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
To perform the essential duties of this role, incumbents must be able to perform the following activities with or without accommodations:
- Sit or stand for prolonged periods.
- Operate a computer, including viewing a monitor, for extended periods.
- Drive a vehicle, whether owned or rented.
- Travel periodically by air or train.
- May perform duties during evenings and weekends.
