Director of Major Gifts

Key Responsibilities

New donor acquisition and pipeline growth: the core of the role

• Identify, research, qualify, and engage new major gift prospects using wealth screening, philanthropic databases, referrals, local networks, and community engagement.

• Build a robust pipeline of prospective donors across California, with opportunities to expand nationally.

Frontline fundraising and portfolio management

• Manage an active portfolio of up to 100 major gift donors and high-capacity prospects ($25,000+). 

• Develop and execute individualized moves management strategies across qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Lead the development of compelling, highly personalized proposals, solicitation materials, impact reports, and stewardship communications.

Executive partnership and strategy

• Partner with the CEO, Regional Executive Directors, and other senior leaders to execute strategies for high-value donors, including meeting prep, solicitation strategy, and follow-up.

• Develop annual regional major gifts plans and activity calendars aligned to revenue goals.

• Document and scale effective major gifts strategies to build capacity across the broader Rocketship network.

Events and community engagement

• Design and execute donor events of varying size, including an annual California-based event and the upcoming 20-year anniversary, to cultivate prospects and generate fundraising opportunities.

Defining Success

We focus on concrete outcomes rather than vague expectations. While we will partner with you to refine specific metrics during onboarding, the overall blueprint for success includes:

First 90 Days (Foundation & Discovery)

• Audit and rate the existing $25k+ donor pipeline

• Launch discovery outreach and build a qualification plan for new prospects 

• Align regional strategy with executive leadership and establish Salesforce tracking routines

First 12 Months (Execution & Revenue)

• Cultivate 50+ new qualified prospects

• Close $250k in new major gifts

• Build a pipeline to secure $500k for Year 2

• Kick off the strategy for the 20th-anniversary campaign

12–18 Months (Scale & Long-Term Impact)

• Create a pathway to securing $1M+ in total new major gift revenue

• Scale major gift processes from California across the national network

• Convert anniversary initiatives into major, long-term philanthropic investments

Who We Are Looking For

• A documented record of acquiring new major donors, not only growing inherited portfolios. Be ready to walk us through relationships you sourced yourself, from first contact to close.

• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, including demonstrated success securing individual gifts of $25,000+ and growing relationships over time.

• 5–8 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising (K–12 education or education-focused philanthropy preferred), including at least three years of directly soliciting and closing major gifts.

• Deep understanding of major gifts strategy and the full donor lifecycle: prospect identification, moves management, and qualification discipline that you designed rather than inherited.

• Strong data and CRM management skills (Salesforce preferred), using portfolio analytics to inform strategy and prioritize time.

• Exceptional relationship-management skills to build trust quickly with high-net-worth individuals, board members, and senior executives.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a command of persuasive storytelling and proposal development.

• Commitment to Rocketship’s mission and advancing equitable educational opportunities for students and families.

Location and Work Arrangement

This position requires residency in the San Francisco Bay Area, within practical commuting distance of Rocketship’s Bay Area schools. The anticipated work arrangement is approximately 60% remote and 40% in person, with in-person engagement varying based on school, donor, and organizational needs. Regular local travel and flexibility to accommodate these activities are required. In addition, this person can expect to travel nationally 3-5 times per year. 

 

Flexible Role Structure

We are open to shaping this role around the right candidate. We welcome conversations with exceptional candidates who bring the right fundraising expertise and passion for our mission—even if their ideal role structure looks different from a traditional full-time position.