DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS

OVERVIEW

A popular year-round destination, Governors Island is a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor located between Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. For almost two centuries, the Island was closed to the public, operating as a military base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. Today, an award-winning new park is complemented by dozens of unique historic buildings, educational and cultural facilities, a rich arts and culture program and a 22-acre National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand the Island’s arts and cultural program and become a hub for educational and research partners dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis.

The mission of the Governors Island Foundation is to secure philanthropic support to strengthen Governors Island as a vibrant resource for all New Yorkers. As the dedicated fundraising partner to the Trust for Governors Island, the Foundation works with visionary supporters to fund inspiring public art projects and cultural experiences, enhance our award-winning park, generate solutions to the climate crisis, and advance broader initiatives that support the Island’s continued role as a public destination. 

POSITION

The Director of Major Gifts will be responsible for raising significant funds from individuals and foundations through major gift prospect cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The focus will be on gifts of $50,000+. Key to success in this role will be prior experience building a major gifts program, identifying and building relationships with new high net worth prospects—both individuals and foundations—as well as strengthening relationships with existing donors to maximize philanthropic support.

Primary responsibilities

• Maintain current knowledge of organizational funding areas; identifies prospective donors for those needs.
• Plans strategies from cultivation activity to gift closure, and implements that strategy in coordination with colleagues, reports progress toward achievement.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects.
• Create a comprehensive strategy for donor cultivation, solicitation and retention based on the donor’s giving history and capacity, managing a portfolio size of 100-150 prospective and current donors.
• Research, outreach and proposal development for foundations whose philanthropic priorities include the arts, climate education and parks/open space.
• Directly solicit major gifts and partner with senior staff and leadership volunteers on solicitations by providing prospect briefings, strategic guidance and assistance with donor communications.
• Facilitate and coordinate all communication with prospects and among the prospect's relationships.
• Develop, plan and participate in strategic donor engagement opportunities, such as small events for select prospects in the portfolio and larger donor stewardship events both on and off the Island.
• Develop a high-quality donor experience through regular personalized correspondence, professional proposals and timely acknowledgements.
• Maintain an organized and detailed prospective donor pipeline via CRM (Salesforce).
• Prepare and present reports on fundraising progress to senior staff and volunteer leadership.
• Understand the philanthropic landscape in New York City, especially in the arts sector, parks and climate solutions space.
• Independently exercise ethical and sound judgement and maintain the highest standards of donor privacy and confidence.
• Adhere to all Governors Island Foundation and Trust for Governors Island policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree. Additional related academic courses or professional training preferred. 

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in major gift fundraising, with demonstrated success of securing six and seven-figure gifts from both individuals and foundations
• Experience working with Salesforce preferred
• Experience raising funds for the arts is a plus
• Experience managing a capital campaign is a plus

Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of both internal and external stakeholders
• Outstanding oral, written, communication and presentation skills, including the ability to listen and target communication to specific interests of varied audiences
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and quickly changing priorities
• Ability to work proactively and independently while seamlessly communicating with a team
• Valid driver’s license

Individuals must be able to travel to Governors Island at least four days a week and local travel within New York City and the greater tri-state area as needed.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000 annual salary (commensurate with experience), plus a generous benefit package.

Location and Schedule: All positions are located on Governors Island. This position is in-person, four days a week and one day remote.

TO APPLY 

Please send a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document to jobs@govisland.org with “Director, Major Gifts” in the subject line. No phone calls please.

The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, genetic information, marital status, membership in an employee organization, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, or other non-merit factor.