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About the Role

The Director of Individual and Major Giving is a frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of individual donors and major gift prospects. This role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts, with a particular emphasis on building JBF’s major gifts pipeline and leading individual giving strategy.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of individual and major gift donors and prospects, leading all phases of the donor cycle.
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy to identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects ($10,000+).
• Develop and execute strategies to upgrade mid-level donors into the major gifts pipeline.
• Oversee the Young Professionals Committee to ensure they have the direction and collateral they need to act as JBF ambassadors.
• Develop and implement a personalized stewardship plan for individual and major gift donors.
• Develop compelling, tailored solicitation materials and proposals for major gift prospects.
• Draft and edit donor correspondence, acknowledgements, case-for-support narratives, and other communications.
• Coordinate with the Development Manager to ensure donor communications calendars, acknowledgements, and stewardship materials are executed on schedule.
• Lead proactive prospect research to identify and qualify individual major gift prospects.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of donors with capacity at the $10,000+ level.
• Prepare in-depth donor profiles, wealth assessments, and briefing materials.
• Conduct regular wealth screenings and philanthropic interest assessments.
• Assist the Development Manager and VP of Philanthropy in managing the Patron Program.
• Leverage cultivation events, Annual Gala, and Patron Program gatherings as opportunities to deepen relationships.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the James Beard Young Patrons.
• Partner with the VP of Philanthropy and Director of Institutional Giving to align individual giving efforts with broader fundraising strategy.
• Owns moves management for individual and major gift portfolio.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity in Salesforce.
• Set and track measurable portfolio goals, including visit targets, solicitation timelines, and revenue projections.
• Collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy on annual individual giving revenue goals and major gifts projections.
• Work with the Development Manager to ensure portfolio donor records, wealth screenings, and contact reports are current and complete in Salesforce.
• Represent JBF at cultivation events, donor meetings, and community gatherings.

Requirements

• 12 years minimum of frontline fundraising experience, with demonstrated success with individual giving/major gifts portfolios and closing mid-size to large gifts.
• Passion for food culture, culinary equity, and the JBF mission; ability to articulate a compelling case for philanthropic investment.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and donor-centered approach; ability to engage high-net-worth individuals meaningfully.
• Strategic thinker, creative problem solver, and excellent communicator with strong relationship management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, conscientious work ethic.
• Excellent ability to multitask, prioritize projects, and work efficiently and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM; experience with moves management or stewardship and cultivation, portfolio tracking, and donor pipelines.
• High energy and passion for the James Beard Foundation’s mission.
• Ability to deal effectively with the diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
• Ability to travel domestically and attend evening events as needed.

Skills

• Salesforce or comparable CRM
• Moves management
• Stewardship
• Cultivation
• Portfolio tracking
• Donor pipelines
• MS365
• Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Monday.com

Location

• NYC office

Work Type

• Hybrid
• Full-time

Experience Level

• 12 years minimum

Benefits

• Medical coverage for employees and their dependents
• Dental coverage for employees and their dependents
• Vision coverage for employees and their dependents
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Commuter benefits
• Retirement savings
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement/ professional development
• Generous paid time off
• Fertility planning support
• Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave
• Staff events
• Tickets to events at Platform by JBF (Pier 57)

About the Company

• The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is a vital cultural institution that honors and advances the culinary arts industry.
• JBF's mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.
• As a 501(c) (3) national non-profit organization, JBF brings its mission to life through the annual James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused initiatives and programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country.
• The Development Team is responsible for generating over $7 million in philanthropic support in FY27, with a goal to grow to $10M annually by FY29-30.
• All members of the Development team work to cultivate and support a culture of philanthropy within the organization and represent JBF externally in front of current and prospective donor audiences.