Job Title: Senior Director of Major Gifts

Reports To: Chief Impact Officer

Position Summary: The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (Meadows Institute) seeks a collaborative and strategic professional to serve as Senior Director of Major Gifts (Major Gift Officer). The Major Gift Officer will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Meadows Institute by driving fundraising efforts for general operations as well as programmatic and regional initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, the Major Gift Officer will also support the organization’s ambitious multi-year, $100 million growth capacity campaign and contribute to securing transformational funding from individuals, foundations and corporations.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and results-oriented fundraiser with a passion for mental health policy and advocacy. They will have exceptional relationship-building skills, experience managing complex fundraising initiatives, and the ability to work collaboratively with a growing team. The preferred work location for this position is in Texas. This position may not be filled or performed in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Rhode Island, or Washington at this time. Statewide travel (up to 20%) may be required. Some duties may require access to reliable personal transportation.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Chief Impact Officer to design and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Work closely with the Campaign Director, actively contributing to the planning and execution of the Meadows Institute’s growth capital campaign, with a particular focus on fundraising efforts for programmatic and regional priorities within the campaign.
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations and reports to inspire donor engagement and investment.
• Collaborate with internal teams to gather information and data to inform donor communications, proposals and reports.
• Create meeting agendas and donor profiles for key campaign donor meetings, leading or participating with other senior leadership as is most strategic.
• Build pipeline of new prospects for the Meadows Institute and the campaign.
• As needed, assist in planning and managing philanthropic events and meetings, including strategic engagement and follow-up with donors and prospects.
• Maintain and update campaign prospect and donor records in Salesforce.
• As the philanthropy team grows, manage and mentor gift officers, ensuring alignment with fundraising goals and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven to ten years of relevant fundraising and/or nonprofit communications experience.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience writing persuasive proposals and donor materials.
• Demonstrated history of building and maintaining long-term relationships with constituents including individual major donors, private foundations, and corporations.
• Established record of securing new major gift funding (six figure gifts and higher).
• Experience in donor database management and familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge).
• Ability to work both independently and autonomously and collaborate with colleagues, often in a virtual environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting competing deadlines.
• Capacity to think strategically, critically, and respond analytically.
• Ability to take initiative and be self-directed.
• High degree of professionalism while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate with high profile and high net-worth donors and stakeholders.
• Commitment to the mission, goals, programs, and future aspirations of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree.
• Previous and successful capital campaign fundraising experience.
• Experience managing a team of fundraising professionals.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The preferred work location for this position is in Texas. This position may not be filled or performed in California, Colorado, Montana, Rhode Island, or Washington at this time. Relocation assistance not available.
• Successful candidates must show proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

To Apply:
Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their resume and cover letter online here.

The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is a data-driven, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that supports the implementation of policies and programs that help Texans obtain effective, efficient mental health care when and where they need it. The Meadows Institute’s vision is for Texas to be the national leader in treating all people with mental health needs.

The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and provides full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, age, citizen status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.