Job Description

Thousand Currents seeks a highly experienced and results-driven Senior Director of Major Gifts to lead our efforts in securing transformative philanthropic support. The ideal candidate will have significant experience securing 7+ figure gifts and managing a diverse portfolio of high-net-worth individuals. Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships & Influence, the Senior Director of Major Gifts will play a pivotal role in expanding Thousand Currents’ donor base, building and stewarding long-term relationships, and moving donors through the major giving pipeline.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a major gift strategy to raise at least $10 million annually from major and principal gifts, with a focus on identifying and securing 7+ figure gifts.
• Maintain a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, including principal-level donors. Create customized engagement strategies, solicitations, and stewardship plans tailored to donor interests in food sovereignty, climate justice, and economic justice.
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropic Partnerships & Influence, CEO, and senior leadership to cultivate and solicit gifts from major donors. Collaborate closely with the Director of Communications to develop compelling materials that tell Thousand Currents’ story in a way that resonates with diverse donor audiences.
• Build and manage a pipeline of prospective donors, developing multi-year strategies to grow major gift portfolios. Leverage both existing and new relationships to diversify and grow funding sources.
• Lead a small team, mentoring and coaching staff to reach their potential and meet ambitious fundraising goals.
• Organize intimate donor events, high-impact webinars, and in-person gatherings that showcase Thousand Currents’ work, bringing donors closer to our mission and creating opportunities for engagement and giving.
• Develop a   deep   understanding   of   Thousand   Currents’   programmatic   work   and communicate its impact to donors in a compelling, accessible manner. Ensure donor communications uplift our values of interdependence, equity, and justice.
• Ensure accurate and confidential recording of all donor information and interactions in Salesforce, with consistent updates on donor pipelines and portfolio progress.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of experience in fundraising with a proven track record of securing major gifts, including gifts of 7+ figures, from high-net-wealth individuals.
• At least 5 years of experience leading and managing fundraising teams with a focus on major gifts.
• Demonstrated experience working within global organizations and managing relationships across diverse geographies.
• Strong expertise in philanthropic networks, particularly in the US, including familiarity with corporate foundations, family offices, and private philanthropists.
• Proven ability to develop and implement ambitious strategies that drive significant revenue growth.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft and present compelling cases for support to diverse audiences. Exceptional storyteller.
• Adept at managing multiple projects, setting priorities, and meeting ambitious goals within tight deadlines.
• Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM systems for donor tracking and portfolio management.
• Commitment to social justice, with experience in feminist, community-centered, or social justice-oriented fundraising approaches.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally, up to 30% of the time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Thousand Currents practices a non-negotiable salary policy to foster pay equity. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary for this role is $163,500 with a generous benefits package, including:

• 100% premium paid health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family (if applicable).
• Short- and long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance. 
• The organization also provides wellness reimbursement, work from home reimbursement, and an opportunity to participate in our 401K plan with 4% matching contribution.
• Additionally, Thousand Currents offers 13 paid flexible holidays, 10 sick days, and vacation at an accrual rate of 15 days per year for the first two years.
• Internal systems that engender a culture of mutual accountability to personal ecology, transparency, open communication, and opportunities for professional, personal, and leadership development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands of this position are light with the expectation that the staff person can exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.  Physical demands are in excess of those of sedentary work. The position requires frequent computer use at a workstation. As Thousand Currents staff work in a number of locations and come together for meetings on occasion, all staff must be able to travel by car and plane to meetings at locations nationally and internationally. Availability to travel and maintenance of a valid passport is required. Thousand Currents will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description and its physical requirements will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.  Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Thousand Currents is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions.