Senior Director, Major Gifts

WHAT IS THE ROLE 

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools seeks an accomplished, relationship-driven major gifts fundraiser to engage philanthropists in advancing one of the nation's leading public education advocacy organizations. 

 Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Senior Director of Major Gifts will lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategy for a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects across the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (501(c)(3)) and the Charter Schools Action Fund (501(c)(4)). 

 As a senior member of the Development team, this role serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President of Development, helping shape the National Alliance's major gifts strategy, expand its national donor community, and engage executive leadership and the Board of Directors in securing transformational philanthropic investments. 

 This is a highly external role for an experienced frontline fundraiser who excels at developing donor strategies, leading complex donor conversations, and securing transformational investments. Success in this role requires sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to navigate sophisticated donor relationships across both c3,c4, and PAC fundraising. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a growing national major gifts program while partnering with executive leadership to advance high-quality public charter schools nationwide. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Lead a High-Impact Major Gifts Portfolio 

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects through all stages of the donor lifecycle, maintaining a disciplined cadence of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship that generates $3+ million in annual philanthropic revenue, with continued growth expected as the portfolio expands. 

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and close five-, six-, and seven-figure investments across entities. 

• Lead donor relationships while strategically engaging the VP of Development, CEO, executive leaders, Board members, and subject-matter experts to advance cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 

• Develop concept notes, proposals, cases for support, and other donor communications tailored to organizational priorities and individual donor interests. 

• Take ownership of achieving annual revenue goals through disciplined portfolio management, proactive donor engagement, and consistent execution. 

Shape Major Gifts Strategy & Build the Pipeline 

• Lead the development and execution of the National Alliance's major gifts growth strategy, expanding the portfolio of high-capacity donors and philanthropic investment annually. 

• Build and sustain a pipeline of high-capacity donors through research, referrals, networking, and strategic outreach. 

• Develop and implement long-term cultivation strategies that deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic investment. 

• Advise the VP of Development and executive leadership on donor strategy, engagement opportunities, and high-priority solicitations. 

• Monitor portfolio performance using data and donor insights to identify risks, prioritize opportunities, refine engagement strategies, and maximize progress toward annual revenue goals. 

• Develop accurate revenue forecasts and portfolio projections, providing regular updates on progress, risks, and opportunities to the VP of Development. 

Strengthen Donor Relationships 

• Build trusted, long-term relationships with philanthropists, family foundations, and other key supporters. 

• Create personalized donor engagement and stewardship experiences that inspire renewed, increased, and multi-year investments. 

• Guide donors through c3, c4, and PAC giving opportunities, helping them understand how different forms of support advance the organizations’ missions while ensuring gifts are structured in accordance with legal and compliance requirements. 

• Navigate sensitive donor relationships with discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment. 

• Maintain disciplined portfolio management and accurate donor records in Microsoft Dynamics (CRM). 

Partner Across the Organization 

• Partner with cross-functional leaders to translate the National Alliance's policy, advocacy, legal, and research priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities. 

• Prepare and support senior leaders and Board members for major donor meetings, briefings, and solicitations. 

• Represent the National Alliance at donor meetings, national conferences, and strategic convenings. 

• Partner with Development Operations to maximize the strategic value of donor events and engagement opportunities. 

• Collaborate with Development Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure gifts, donor communications, gift restrictions, and c3, c4, and PAC funding opportunities are appropriately structured, documented, and managed. 

WHAT YOU BRING 

• 7-10+ years of frontline fundraising experience with a track record of securing transformational gifts. 

• Proven success growing a major gift portfolio and successfully closing new major gifts. 

• Experience partnering with CEOs, board members, and senior executives on complex fundraising strategies and solicitations. 

• Demonstrated ability to help shape fundraising strategy, build donor pipelines, and drive portfolio growth. 

• Exceptional relationship management, communication, and strategic planning skills. 

• Strong judgment, initiative, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. 

• Experience using CRM systems to manage donor portfolios and fundraising strategy; Microsoft Dynamics experience is a plus. 

• Interest in public charter school education, public policy, advocacy, and/or civic engagement. 

Travel: This position requires approximately 20–25% travel for donor meetings, organizational events, conferences, and team gatherings. 

WHAT WE OFFER

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools offers a sector-leading salary and benefits package. We cover 100% of an employee’s medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% for spouses and dependents, including an HRA to cover 100% of in-network medical deductibles. We also offer:

• 403(b) retirement account with up to a 6% match after 90 days of employment
• Automatic life insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability coverage, and FSA
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 25 PTO days annually, plus every federal holiday and a week off at year-end
• Monthly reimbursement for internet and cellular service, plus a $500 home office setup stipend in your first 90 days

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $110,000-$140,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

WHO WE ARE

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools believes that all families deserve high-quality public school options. Charter schools are independent public schools providing families with a new set of public school options. Each of these schools is developed to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students.   

When given the option, parents are choosing to enroll their children in charter schools. In fact, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply in most communities. What began as a small movement in a few states has grown to become a major force in education reform across the country. Through advocacy, research, and strategic communications, the National Alliance works to grow the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, especially those who do not have access to high-quality public schools.