Director of Development/Chief Major Gifts Officer

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Director of Development

Georgia Public Policy Foundation | Atlanta, GA (Hybrid) | $$100,000-120,000

About the Organization

The Georgia Public Policy Foundation is an independent, Atlanta-based think tank advancing free-market solutions that expand opportunity for every Georgian. Through rigorous research, sharp communications, and relationships across the state, Georgia Policy shapes the debate on the issues that matter most, from education and health care to taxes, jobs, and the economy.

Why This Role Matters

Ideas need fuel. Georgia Policy is growing, and this hire will build the fundraising engine behind that growth.

Reporting directly to President Kyle Wingfield, the Director of Development owns annual revenue and leads every piece of the fundraising operation: individual giving, major gifts, foundations, and corporate partners. This is a player-coach role. You'll set the strategy and carry a real portfolio, making the asks yourself while building the systems, board engagement, and team capacity that let the organization scale.

If you want to be the person who proves what a state think tank can raise when fundraising is done right, this is the seat.

What You'll Do

Lead the strategy

• Build and run a comprehensive development plan across all revenue streams, aligned with Georgia Policy's growth goals
• Design annual and major gift plans that hit the revenue target and set up future growth
• Deploy the President's time strategically with top-tier prospects and major gift opportunities
• Equip board members to identify, cultivate, and solicit within their own networks
• Partner with research, communications, and program teams to turn policy wins into compelling donor stories

Own the portfolio

• Major gifts: 35–45 donors giving $2,500+ annually, with a focus on cultivating high-net-worth individuals capable of $10,000+ gifts
• Foundations: 10–15 foundations, overseeing research, cultivation, proposals, and reporting
• Corporate partners: 15–20 partners, including sponsorships, grants, and matching gift programs
• Individual giving: 300+ donors through annual campaigns, direct mail, online appeals, and recurring giving
• Prospects: roughly 100 high-potential prospects, moved from first conversation to first gift to major gift

Steward and engage

• Run a stewardship program that delivers timely, personal acknowledgment and keeps donors coming back
• Produce proposals, impact reports, newsletters, and appeals
• Plan and execute board dinners, receptions, and other fundraising events

Build the infrastructure

• Manage the CRM for donor tracking, gift processing, and communication history
• Make sure every donor knows exactly what their gift made possible

What You Bring

• 6+ years of fundraising experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role
• A proven record of closing major gifts ($10,000+), growing annual funds, and building donor pipelines
• Experience writing and executing strategic fundraising plans
• Comfort cultivating high-net-worth donors and managing long-term relationships
• CRM experience (DonorPerfect, Salesforce, Bloomerang, or similar) and a data-driven approach
• Nonprofit experience, ideally in public policy, research, or advocacy
• Genuine alignment with Georgia Policy's mission
• Willingness to travel within Georgia 2–3 days per month, plus 2–4 multi-day conferences a year

Compensation

$120,000 base salary.