Director, Major Gifts

Join Points of Light and Change the World

As the world’s largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service, Points of Light engages more than 3.8 million volunteers across 32 countries. 

Cast from the vision of one thousand points of light shared by its founder, President George H.W. Bush, in his 1989 inaugural address, Points of Light was founded in 1990 as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization to encourage and empower the spirit of service. The organization extends President Bush’s vision that “any definition of a successful life must include serving others.” Today, Points of Light continues to transcend politics and borders to inspire millions of individuals worldwide to take action.  

Salary: $85,000 - $90,000

Join Us: Be part of a movement that changes lives and communities. Please read the position description below. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.  

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Department: Development

Location: Points of Light is a remote-first organization. Any U.S. location in the Eastern or Central time zone in a market with a major airport. Washington, DC preferred.

Position Summary: 

The Director, Major Gifts (MGO) is a relationship builder and strategist responsible for developing and executing a multi-year major gifts plan that advances Points of Light. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the MGO partners on individual giving strategy while owning all major gifts fundraising from $10K–$1M donors.

The MGO manages a national portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and family offices, including those connected to the CEO, Board Chair, and Bush family networks. They apply disciplined Moves Management, aligning cultivation and solicitation strategies with organizational priorities.

In the first 18 months, the MGO will generate $500K–$900K in new commitments, with annual revenue goals of $1M–$5M. The portfolio will grow from 25–50 relationships 100–150+.

This role requires collaboration with the Philanthropic Strategy & Services team, Development Operations, and the Office of the CEO, and partners with Programs, Marketing and Communications, Affiliate Relations, and Corporate Partnerships to ensure alignment and integration of donor strategies.

Position Functions and Responsibilities include:

Major Gifts Fundraising and Portfolio Management

• Lead major-gifts strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Build and manage a portfolio of 25–50, expanding to 100–150+ over time.
• Secure $10K–$1M gifts with emphasis on unrestricted and strategic support.
• Develop and execute individual moves plans to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
• Prepare proposals, briefing materials, and correspondence that reflect Points of Light’s mission, voice, and donor priorities.

Executive Alignment

• Coordinate with Board Chair, Bush family, and key stakeholders to advance strategic fundraising partnerships.
• Partner with CEO and CDO on high-value relationships and joint solicitations.
• Engage Office of the CEO staff to support board and executive outreach.
• Lead monthly major-gift pipeline meetings to review movement and set next steps.

Collaboration and Cross-Organizational Engagement

• Partner with the Philanthropic Strategy & Services team to develop qualified pipelines, apply prospect research and analytics, and produce tailored donor communications and funding opportunities.
• Partner with Communications and Program teams to source data and stories for use in donor cultivation.
• Ensure consistent donor communication and stewardship across departments; model a culture of philanthropy. 

Reporting, Systems, and Analytics

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all donor interactions in Salesforce.
• Track metrics for donor visits, proposals submitted, gifts closed, and progress toward goals.
• Partner with Development Operations to provide reports, projections, forecasting, and analysis.

Core Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals through strategic relationship management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fundraising strategy, including Moves Management and portfolio development.
  • Strong understanding of unrestricted fundraising and its role in sustaining organizational capacity and innovation.
• Diplomatic and confident working with senior executives and high-profile donors.
• Strong interpersonal and storytelling skills that inspire confidence and trust.
• Strategic and analytical thinker able to translate organizational priorities into donor-centric narratives.
  • Experience supervising staff or leading teams to achieve revenue goals.
• Proficiency with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of donor engagement and team culture.

 Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of relevant experience in major gift fundraising, preferably with a national or international nonprofit organization.
• Proven success in developing and closing unrestricted gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Experience partnering with senior executives and volunteer leadership on high-level fundraising strategy.
• Experience managing or mentoring fundraising staff.
• Ability to create a welcoming work environment for all.  
• Up to 40% travel domestically required; occasional international travel possible.

Culture and Values: Points of Light has a 35-year history that it seeks to honor, while looking toward the future as an innovative thought leader in the social sector. We have a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Our organization values innovation, dedication, teamwork and respectfulness. We enjoy thinking big, but also working hard to deliver our best work. Our team is solution-oriented, looking for someone who is always ready to deliver on ways to solve challenges, internally and with external partners.

What We Offer: Competitive compensation and excellent benefits including a robust PTO program: 18 days of PTO and 10 holidays; plus, we are closed December 25-January 1. Medical, dental and vision benefits offered, free life insurance, along with long-term and short-term disability, a 403b program with employer match, and 1 day of volunteer time off per month.