Resource Development Division Full-time, Exempt | Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 annually | Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Do you believe in the power of philanthropy to change a community? United Way of Central New York is seeking a relationship-driven fundraising professional to grow our individual major donor program and shape the future of individual philanthropy at one of Central New York’s most trusted community organizations.

As Director of Individual Giving, you’ll build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, lead our Leadership Giving program, and work alongside the Chief Development Officer to develop a long-term strategy for growing individual philanthropy. This is a senior role on our Resource Development team – ideal for someone who loves building genuine relationships with donors and connecting generous people to meaningful community impact.

What You’ll Do

Cultivate and grow major gifts. You’ll manage your own portfolio of individual major gift prospects and donors, developing tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each – from face-to-face meetings and site visits to personalized communications and events. You’ll prepare donor briefings, gift proposals, and stewardship reports, and keep meticulous records in our CRM.

Lead the Leadership Giving program. You’ll steward existing members, recruit new ones, coordinate affinity group activities, and manage welcome and renewal communications in partnership with the CDO.

Build the donor pipeline. You’ll identify and qualify new major gift prospects through database analysis, events, referrals, and community engagement. Working with the CDO, you’ll implement a moves management system, analyze donor data to spot mid-level donors with major gift potential, and help develop an annual individual giving plan with clear goals and metrics.

Stay connected to the employer community. You’ll manage a small portfolio (roughly 20–30 accounts) of workplace campaign relationships, advising company representatives on running successful giving campaigns – and using those relationships to identify employees with major gift potential.

Connect donors to impact. You’ll partner with our Chief Community Officer and Chief Impact Officer to link donors to United Way’s community impact work, volunteer opportunities, and affinity groups, and help plan meaningful donor recognition and stewardship events throughout the year.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant experience in individual giving, major gifts, or nonprofit fundraising (preferred)
• A proven track record of cultivating and closing major gifts from individual donors
• Skill in relationship building, moves management, and donor stewardship best practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, proposal writing, and donor correspondence
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and donor relationships simultaneously
• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Awareness of, and respect for, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• The ability to work with people of all levels and backgrounds – independently and as part of a team – in a fast-paced environment
• Strong Microsoft Office skills and experience with donor CRM systems (required); ability to learn new or customized software
• A valid driver’s license and unrestricted use of a reliable automobile

How to Apply

Send a resume and cover letter to nwilliams@unitedway-cny.org

United Way of Central New York is an equal opportunity employer. This job description is not an exclusive statement of the responsibilities of the position; other appropriate duties may be required.