About the Tax Foundation
The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy nonprofit. Since 1937, our principled research, insightful analysis, and engaged experts have informed smarter tax policy at the federal, state, and global levels. For 85 years, our goal has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity. We use our research and analysis to bring tax changes to the national spotlight, foster competition among the states, and advise policymakers on how to improve their tax systems.
Job Overview
The Tax Foundation seeks a Director of Major Gifts to manage and amplify the organization’s growing major gifts program. The ideal candidate will be responsible for both conceptualizing and executing a major gifts strategy focused on the stewardship of existing major donors and the acquisition of new major gifts. The day-to-day responsibilities will be focused on moving donors through the major gifts cycle. This role will manage a cultivation portfolio of approximately 50 individuals/households and a prospecting portfolio of approximately 50 individuals/households in the identification and qualification stages.
The Director of Major Gifts will report to the Vice President of Development and work closely with the organization’s policy and marketing leadership. This position can work from Tax Foundation’s Washington, DC office or from a virtual office elsewhere in the country. Travel to meet with investors will be a priority, anticipated at 25-40% of the role depending on the time of year. Occasional travel to the Tax Foundation offices will be required.
Team Roles & Program Strategy
- Collaborates with the Vice President of Development to design and implement a comprehensive and proactive major gifts ($10,000+) plan to contribute to the annual Development team revenue target and future goals
- Collaborates with the Vice President of Development to develop systems for qualifying donors within and for prospecting outside the organization’s existing portfolio
- Leads strategy for the 1937 Society, Tax Foundation’s planned giving society
- Works with policy staff to understand funding needs and opportunities; and works with marketing staff to translate those opportunities into appropriate major gift proposals including drafting proposal language
- Learns the viewpoints and concerns of Tax Foundation’s major donors and ensures these are communicated and represented across the organization
- In partnership with the Vice President of Development, sets program and individual metrics and monitoring norms
- Stays current on funding and philanthropic trends, and manages ongoing prospect research to identify new funding sources
- May be called on to represent the organization to external audiences
- Leverages presidential, board member, and senior staff engagement with investors as appropriate to establish or strengthen relationships
- Identifies long-term partnerships and opportunities to strengthen existing relationships with relevant organizations and other key communities
Moves Management
- Actively manages a portfolio of ~50 donors in cultivation
- Proactively identifies and qualifies individuals/households within a prospecting portfolio, driving research and analysis and the strategy needed to open doors
- Stewards major gifts received in an appropriate manner for each donor
- Represent the 1937 Society to appropriate donors and facilitate planned giving agreements where appropriate, in communication with any other professionals a donor may engage
- Produces periodic updates for the donor portfolio, including webinars
Written Materials
- Drafts proposal and stewardship documents for major donors
- Coordinates with Marketing and Communications on relevant collateral
- Coordinates with Marketing and Communications and other development interests on topics and language for major donor mailings
- Prepares regular written reports to the Vice President of Development regarding individual donor stewardship status updates, metrics progress, and revenue trends
Internal Systems & Capacity-Building
- Maintains standard operating procedures for CRM and document storage
- Oversees, engages, and maintains all utilities related to the 1937 Society
- Integrates major donor relations activities and strategies into broader organization initiatives
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of experience in relationship development, which may include major gifts development work at a nonprofit organization, work for a candidate or political committee, or other applicable experience in the for-profit sector
- Personal commitment to Tax Foundation’s mission
- High emotional intelligence and strong ability to read a room
- Excellent communication skills across platforms
- Drive to take initiative, track personal progress, and meet individual goals
- Willingness to work in a CRM-driven environment, where “if it isn’t in Salesforce, it didn’t happen” is the rule
- Creativity and a problem-solving mindset
- Familiarity with moves management fundraising and donor research tools
- Desire to be part of a high-performing team
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the Tax Foundations mission, why you are qualified for this position, and your salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
Questions can be directed to Lydia Ocampo, Outreach Specialist at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
