Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Manager develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual major donors and institutional funders supporting LEAP's $7.3M annual budget. This position serves as a key member of the Development and Communications team, managing a combined portfolio of 70-100 prospects that includes individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Success requires exceptional interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to articulate LEAP's impact in ways that motivate giving.

This is a full-time, exempt (salaried) position requiring strong organizational abilities, emotional intelligence, and comfort with modern technology including AI tools and donor database systems. The role requires balancing individual donor cultivation with foundation relationship management, taking initiative to build and deepen relationships, and working collaboratively across the organization to engage donors meaningfully.

Reports to : Deputy Director of Development and Communications

Essential Duties

Individual Major Gifts Management

• Manage portfolio of 60-80 major donors and donor prospects (previous gifts of $10,000+)
• Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies aligned with donor interests and capacity
• Conduct 12-18 meaningful donor contacts monthly through meetings, calls, site visits, and events
• Collaborate with and support LEAP senior staff, Board members, and volunteers on solicitation strategy and execution
• Research and qualify new prospects through wealth screening and relationship mapping
• Create compelling, tailored proposals and solicitation materials

Foundation Relations

Stewardship and Engagement

Strategic Planning and Systems Management

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Technical Skills

Essential Competencies

Special Requirements

Compensation

Salary : $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with retirement plan with employer contribution. Generous PTO, holiday leave, and professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Send a letter of interest and resume through our online application portal : Recruitment Portal

Note : This is a hybrid position based out of the LEAP office in New Haven, CT. There is a required minimum of two days per week in person, with additional in-person days assigned as needed by department leadership. LEAP reserves the right to change its hybrid work policy.

Additional information about the organization is available via www.leapforkids.org.

LEAP is an equal opportunity employer.