Job Description
Director of Donor Engagement (Lead Major Gifts Officer)
Big Fish (Foundation for Economic Education) - Atlanta, GA, United States
Foundation for Economic Education has retained the recruiting firm Big Fish on this search.
Please contact Angel Fimbres-Barcelo at angel@recruitbigfish.com for any questions or referrals regarding the role.
Big Fish is a boutique recruiting firm specializing in the talent needed to drive policy change.
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Director of Donor Engagement
Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)
Location: Virtual / Remote
Organization Background
Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) has been dedicated to making the fundamental economic, ethical, and legal principles of a free society accessible and compelling to a broad audience.
Today, FEE is at the forefront of youth engagement with the freedom philosophy, delivering high-impact programs and digital content that reach millions annually. The organization continues to scale its impact, building on a strong legacy of innovation and thought leadership.
Learn more at https://fee.org/about.
Role Overview
FEE is seeking a Director of Donor Engagement to report to the Chief Development Officer. This role is responsible for cultivating and stewarding strategic relationships with major donors, identifying new funding opportunities, and advancing sustainable philanthropic growth in support of FEE’s mission.
The Director will lead major donor and foundation portfolio management, donor cultivation and stewardship, high-level prospecting, and long-term relationship-building with individuals and institutional partners.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of 125–150 major donors, including high-net-worth individuals and foundations
- Plan and execute tailored cultivation and stewardship activities, including emails, mailed proposals, handwritten notes, calls, event invitations, and in-person or virtual meetings
- Prepare for and lead donor meetings; ensure all interactions are accurately documented in Salesforce
- Strategically connect donors with FEE’s President and program staff to advance relationships and funding opportunities
Strategic Relationship Development
- Develop and implement customized strategies to deepen engagement with major donors and philanthropic partners
- Partner with the President to steward a select group of high-value donor relationships
- Identify, research, and qualify new major donor and foundation prospects to expand FEE’s funding pipeline
Prospecting & Engagement
- Lead proactive efforts to uncover new funding opportunities across individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
- Create personalized engagement plans aligned with donor interests, capacity, and philanthropic goals
- Represent FEE in donor meetings and at events, strengthening relationships and increasing organizational visibility
Collaboration & Reporting
- Work closely with the President and Chief Development Officer to align donor strategy with organizational priorities
- Produce clear, actionable reports on prospecting activity, donor engagement, and revenue trends
- Serve as a liaison between donors and program teams, helping shape funding opportunities, pitches, and cross-department collaboration
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Deep passion for the ideas of classical liberalism
- 5+ years of experience in donor relations, major gifts fundraising, or a related field
- Demonstrated success building and sustaining relationships with high-net-worth donors
- Strategic thinker with a strong focus on personalized donor engagement and stewardship
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities
- Persuasive communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
- Comfortable in a results-driven environment
- Willing and able to travel 20–30% of the time for donor meetings and events
Compensation & Benefits
FEE offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
- Health and dental insurance with deductible reimbursement
- 401(k) with a 50% employer match up to $4,000
- Flexible time off
Salary Range $90,000 - $120,000