Director of Major Gifts

Position: Director of Major Gifts  

Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer 

Salary Grade: Director 

Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000

Location: Washington, D.C. Required 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (two days in the office) 

Voluntary Self-ID Questionnaire 

About Us: 

Issue One is committed to winning game-changing reforms to fix our broken political system and create an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. 

Since 2014, Issue One has worked to educate the public and Congress to pass legislation to increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen U.S. elections.

Issue One is helping lead the fight to protect U.S. elections and election workers in 2022, ensure a peaceful transfer of power in 2025, and win comprehensive reforms to combat disinformation on technology platforms. Issue One built the National Council on Election Integrity and led its $15 million Count Every Vote Campaigns to defend the integrity of the 2020 elections and push back against attempts to undermine faith in our democratic process. 

Position:

The Director of Major Gifts is a new position that presents an opportunity to shape and grow a critical component of our long-term fundraising efforts to build Issue One into a lasting bipartisan institution. This role is tailored for a strategic leader ready to formalize, lead and expand a first-in-class major gifts program (for donations $10k and above) that builds on existing programs and positions the organization for future growth. The Director will be instrumental in developing strategies for every phase of the donor lifecycle, including prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. As a key figure in our fast-paced, high-performing, and rapidly growing Advancement department, the Director will report to the CAO and also serve as a member of Issue One’s Director-level leadership team. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced development professional who can serve as an ambassador for the cause, play a lead role in shaping fundraising strategy, and implement Issue One's related fundraising plans and priorities.

Over the past several years, Issue One has become home to one of the largest bipartisan coalitions of its kind to advocate for solutions to fix our democracy. We are poised to continue our outsized impact. This position is key in helping us continue our “punch above our weight” mentality. The position is based in Washington, D.C., and requires working in our downtown office every Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Responsibilities:

Fundraising and Donor Relations

• Formalize and manage a world-class major gifts program that builds on IO’s existing program and positions the organization for continued growth.  
• Serve as the principal major gifts development leader of IO and oversee related organizational fundraising efforts.
• In partnership with the CEO and CAO, execute a major donor fundraising plan to ensure IO has the resources needed for operations and programs. 
• Communicate directly with donors, schedule and attend donor meetings, and support our CEO and CAO with their communications to donors, including drafting emails and other correspondence. 
• Manage, support, and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors.
• Define and track fundraising milestones and metrics and identify potential gaps.
• Coordinate with Communications Director on opportunities for outreach to various stakeholders and email blasts to VIPs.
• Plan and lead funder meetings and donor events and ensure the involvement of donors in key external meetings to tap their expertise and deepen engagement with IO and the reform effort.
• Design and manage program or project-specific fundraising campaigns as needed, e.g., annual donor gathering, year-end mailing, etc.

Job-Related Experience 

• Five-plus years of experience in a development leadership role in a nonprofit organization, with demonstrated knowledge of the unique development needs of a fast-growing social enterprise.
• Proven success in large-scale front-line fundraising, working with high-net-worth people and foundations to secure significant gifts.
• Experience and knowledge of development operations, including pipeline and donor management, grants tracking, etc. 
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge is preferred; knowledge of CRM software is required.  

Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated success in proposal development.
• Superb communication and presentation skills are a must. 
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills with an overall execution orientation and high attention to detail.
• The ability to identify new sources of support and develop strategies to secure additional funding and cultivate long-term partnerships.
• Must be able to deliver results in a deadline-driven, fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Team-oriented and collaborative; flexibility and adaptability to modify plans in line with shifting priorities.

Location

This is a full-time, salaried, fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. This position is required to be in the Washington, DC area. 

Benefits

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance: 

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff. 
• Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures. 
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. They are also eligible to be reimbursed for stepping outside of their comfort zone and doing something they have never done before. 
• All staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship. 

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

• March 26-April 12: The position is posted, and resumes are collected 
• April 15-19: Resumes are screened, and phone screens are scheduled.
• April 22-26: Phone screens take place, and first-round panel interviews are scheduled. 
• May 6-10: First-round panel interviews take place, and finalists are named. 
• May 13-17: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place along with paid assessment.
• May 20-24: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials). 

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after April 12, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

Our DEI efforts focus on empowering staff, valuing differences, and ensuring every voice matters. We aim to attract diverse candidates with varied perspectives and experiences, reinforcing our commitment to a workplace where everyone's unique contributions are celebrated.

We ask all applicants to complete a voluntary self-identification questionnaire as part of their application. This helps us maintain our DEI commitment and create equal opportunities for success.

How to Apply:

1. Interested applicants can apply by clicking "Apply for this Job" at the top-right of this page. Please include how you heard about the position.
2. All applicants are encouraged to complete the self-identification questionnaire. 

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.