Director, Individual Philanthropy in Baltimore, Maryland at Maryland Food Bank

The Maryland Food Bank (MFB) is a nonprofit, anti-hunger organization whose mission is to feed people, strengthen communities, and end hunger for more Marylanders. MFB does this work by expanding access to nutritious food while also seeking to eliminate the root causes of hunger.

MFB’s distributes food through a statewide network of community-based organizations from Maryland’s western mountains to its Eastern Shore. Last year, the Maryland Food Bank distributed enough food to provide the equivalent of more than 41 million meals, or about 114,000 meals every day. This healthy food supports children, seniors, veterans, and hard-working families. Beyond food distribution, MFB works to end hunger for more Marylanders by offering job training programs, access to supportive services and benefits, and by advocating to change to the laws, policies, and practices that create food insecurity for more than 1 in 3 Marylanders.

The Maryland Food Bank embraces a philosophy which recognizes and values diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential.

About the position:

The Director, Individual Philanthropy serves as a frontline fundraiser responsible for cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and growing relationships with major and planned giving donors. This role manages a portfolio of high-capacity individuals and families and is accountable for securing philanthropic support through annual, multi-year, and legacy gifts.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage and actively engage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 major and planned giving donors while identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new major gift and planned giving prospects to strengthen and expand the donor pipeline.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement strategies to strengthen donor relationships and increase philanthropic investment.
• Secure major gifts, multi-year commitments, planned gifts, and blended gifts through a variety of giving vehicles, including donor-advised funds, IRA distributions, trusts, bequests, and family foundations.
• Conduct donor visits, discovery meetings, stewardship meetings, and solicitations to advance relationships and achieve fundraising goals.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising and portfolio performance goals through strategic donor engagement and relationship management.
• Prepare compelling proposals, impact reports, gift agreements, and donor communications that demonstrate mission impact and inspire giving.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward planned giving prospects and legacy donors, while promoting participation in the Ann Miller Legacy Society.
• Utilize donor data, prospect research, and portfolio analytics to inform fundraising strategies, track progress, and maintain accurate records in Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Donor Services, Operations & Analytics, Marketing & Communications, and Philanthropy leadership to support fundraising success and donor engagement.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Maryland Food Bank by representing the organization at donor meetings, events, tours, community engagement opportunities, and within Maryland's philanthropic community.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, business development, relationship management, sales, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success managing donor or client portfolios and achieving revenue-generating goals through relationship-based engagement.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, analyze data, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, CRM/database systems, and donor or prospect research tools.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout Maryland as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Experience securing five and six-figure gifts.
• Experience with major gifts, planned giving, donor-advised funds, family foundations, or similar philanthropic giving vehicles.
• Knowledge of moves management and donor-centered fundraising practices.
• Experience with fundraising databases, preferably Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Experience in a nonprofit fundraising environment with responsibility for major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Work Environment:

• This is a hybrid role, requiring on-site presence at least three (3) days per week.
• Flexible schedules, including occasional evenings, weekends, and travel to events and other MFB locations.
• This position operates primarily in an office environment with occasional movement around the warehouse.

Salary range:

• $85,000 - $90,000 / Annually

As a key member of the Maryland Food Bank’s Philanthropy team, the Director develops and implements individualized donor engagement strategies that align donor interests with opportunities to advance the organization’s mission. This role partners across Philanthropy, Programs, Marketing and Communications, and Executive Leadership to create meaningful donor experiences and build long-term philanthropic relationships. At MFB, fundraising is a team effort, and we are seeking a mission-driven, collaborative fundraiser committed to donor-centered philanthropy, equity, and strengthening communities across Maryland.

Nothing matters more to the Maryland Food Bank than our strong ethical and safety commitments. As such, all positions require a background check and drug screen.

To learn more about the Maryland Food Bank, visit www.mdfoodbank.org