Director, Principal Gifts

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee and expand a portfolio of key donors and prospects with a giving capacity exceeding $100,000.

• Create tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.

• Conduct donor meetings, qualification sessions, and continuous engagement initiatives.

• Maintain strategic moves management plans and precise tracking of donor activities.

• Collaborate with the CEO and Leadership Team to formulate strategies for principal gifts.

• Engage and solicit donors capable of contributing six- and seven-figure amounts.

• Aim to add at least 5–7 new donors contributing $100,000 or more annually and secure a transformational gift of over $1 million every two years, in accordance with jointly set targets.

• Establish a sustainable pipeline for six- and seven-figure donations.

• Develop funding opportunities, donor presentations, and proposals.

• Organize donor briefings, strategy meetings, and stewardship plans for gifts of $1 million and above.

• Utilize the National Board, volunteer networks, and community connections to broaden the donor pipeline.

• Prepare volunteers and organizational leaders for donor meetings, solicitations, and stewardship efforts.

• Lead the ongoing development and enhancement of Pratham’s LEADers Circle.

• Create and manage donor recognition and stewardship initiatives.

• Design and implement Pratham USA’s planned giving strategy and program.

• Establish a strategic framework for naming opportunities and major donor funding products.

• Support cultivation events, chapter meetings, donor briefings, and stewardship initiatives.

• Align donor interests and philanthropic objectives with Pratham’s programs and strategic goals.

• Act as a trusted advisor to donors and prospects throughout the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.

• Collaborate across philanthropy, marketing, communications, and programs to further fundraising priorities and strategic growth.

• Identify organizational capacities needed for effective donor stewardship.

• Utilize donor insights, fundraising metrics, and portfolio performance data to guide decision-making.

• Contribute to revenue forecasting, pipeline management, and annual fundraising strategy.

• Represent Pratham USA, effectively communicating its mission, impact, and vision.

⛳️ Requirements

• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without future sponsorship needs.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

• 12–15 years of fundraising experience, including managing relationships with major and principal donors.

• Proven success in securing gifts of $100,000 or more and nurturing relationships with high-net-worth individuals.

• Demonstrated experience in developing fundraising strategies and scaling major and principal gift programs.

• Experience in managing donor portfolios and advancing prospects through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycle.

• Experience collaborating with executive leaders, board members, peers, and volunteers to meet fundraising objectives.

• Willingness to travel nationally and potentially internationally for donor meetings and events.

• Strong skills in major gifts fundraising and relationship building.

• Ability to deliver results independently and directly, while also mentoring and leveraging a small direct and matrixed team.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

• Capacity to engage and influence donors, volunteers, and community leaders.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities.

• Proven experience in developing donor strategies, proposals, and stewardship plans.

• Proficient in Salesforce or similar CRM platforms.

• High level of professionalism, discretion, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.

• Passionate about Pratham’s mission and committed to educational opportunities and social impact.

• Experience in international nonprofits, global organizations, or cross-border philanthropy is highly preferred.

• Familiarity with India or South Asia is advantageous but not mandatory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Generous paid time off (PTO).

• Opportunities for travel, including occasional international trips.

• Commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

• Accommodation support during the application process.