Director of Major Gifts & Foundations in Ponte Vedra, Florida at K9s For Warriors Inc

Determined to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the leading nonprofit organization providing Service Dogs to military Veterans nationwide suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma — at no financial cost to the Veteran. Founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, K9s For Warriors is committed to saving lives at both ends of the leash by primarily rescuing dogs and pairing them with Veterans in need. In order to continue the great work we’re doing, we’re looking to add a Director of Major Gifts & Foundations to our amazing team!

Role and Responsibilities

The Director of Major Gifts & Foundations is a strategic leadership role responsible for designing, executing, and advancing a comprehensive major gift, foundation and planned giving program. This individual will play a critical role in strengthening fundraising performance, rebuilding momentum, and driving revenue growth across high-capacity donors, foundation partners, and legacy giving. The ideal candidate brings deep experience across these areas, a strong track record in closing six and seven figure gifts, and the leadership ability to elevate team performance.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Develop and implement a comprehensive major gift, foundation and planned giving strategy aligned with organizational revenue goalsAssess current portfolio performance and implement data drive improvements to get the team on track to exceed goalsEstablish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems for major gifts, grants, and planned giving team membersPartner with senior and executive leadership to align fundraising priorities with organizational growth initiativesBuild and execute multi-year strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardshipAdvise the CEO and CRO on matters related to fundraising and philanthropy; maintain effective working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff members, and individual donorsCollaborate with marketing, corporate partners, events, and finance teams

Manage a personal portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects, including the K9s For Warriors Board of Directors, with a focus on securing gifts of $25,000+ Lead cultivation and solicitation strategies for top-tier donors, including personalized engagement and stewardship plans Identify, qualify, and develop new major gift prospects through research, networking, and relationship building Oversee donor stewardship strategies to ensure long-term engagement and retention Partner with senior leadership and board members to support high-level donor engagement and solicitations

Oversee the grants team, including assisting with foundation relations strategy, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional funders Ensure the development of compelling grant proposals, reports, and impact narratives Help the grants team expand the foundation pipeline and deepen relationships Colorable with other departments to align funding opportunities with organizational initiatives

Develop and lead a comprehensive planned giving program, including bequests, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, and other legacy vehicles Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors for estate and legacy gifts, integrating planned giving into major gift strategies Partner with donors and their advisors (attorneys, financial planners, wealth managers) to structure and close planned gifts Create marketing and outreach strategies to promote legacy giving opportunities and grow the planned giving pipeline Establish stewardship and recognition programs for legacy donors Ensure proper documentation, compliance, and administration of planned gifts in coordination with legal and finance teams Provide training and support to development staff and leadership on incorporating planned giving conversations into donor management

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of major gifts, grants, and planned giving professionals Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development Conduct regular pipeline reviews and strategy sessions to improve outcomes Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance Evaluate team structure and recommend adjustments to improve efficiency and results

Utilize CRM systems to track donor activity, pipeline progress, and revenue projections across all giving channels Analyze fundraising data to inform strategy and improve performance Prepare regular reports for senior and executive leadership

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Preferred Skills

Core Competencies