Director of Major Gifts

About this role

NOTE: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and answers to candidate exploration questions through the Workable online platform https://apply.workable.com/social-impact-partners/j/50573B2B03 . Applications received through other channels other will not be reviewed. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Opportunity
Social Impact Partners (SIP) seeks a Director of Major Gifts to lead and grow a high-impact major gifts fundraising program including individuals, corporations, and local and national foundation grants at a pivotal moment in the organization’s trajectory. This is an entrepreneurial, senior-level opportunity for a seasoned development leader to secure transformative philanthropic investments that fuel systems-level change across Connecticut.
The Director of Major Gifts will design and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit high-net-worth individuals and foundations capable of making six- and seven-figure and multi-year commitments. This role is well-suited for a sophisticated relationship builder with a demonstrated ability to close complex gifts, navigate long cultivation cycles, and engage donors around big, bold solutions to entrenched social challenges.
The Director of Major Gifts will not inherit a large major donor portfolio. Instead, they will build one—developing new prospects and activating introductions through SIP’s volunteers, Board, existing donors, and an extensive cross-sector network. The organization’s leadership and Board are deeply committed to expanding SIP’s philanthropic partnerships and will actively support relationship development, donor engagement, and closing gifts.
Success in this role requires someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial growth environment, who is motivated by SIP’s mission, who is energized by prospect development and strategic networking, and who brings both persistence and creativity to relationship building.
Working closely with SIP’s leadership and Board, the Director of Major Gifts will help shape fundraising strategy, activate and steward high-level donor relationships, and develop proposals and donor communications that compellingly articulate SIP’s vision, impact, and path to scale. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable operating strategically and executing tactically—and can confidently serve as a senior ambassador for SIP with philanthropic partners.
About Social Impact Partners (SIP)
Social Impact Partners (SIP) is a dynamic, mission-driven nonprofit working at the intersection of education, workforce development, and economic mobility. In close collaboration with local and statewide partners across Connecticut, SIP advances strategies and builds solutions that enable more people to have access to the education, supports, and opportunities for living wage jobs, financial security and economic mobility.
Our work focuses on three deeply interconnected systems that shape opportunity and open doors to meaningful career pathways: Early Childhood Education, Postsecondary Education, and Workforce Development. By strengthening these systems together, SIP tackles root causes—not symptoms—of inequity and helps build a more inclusive and resilient economy for Connecticut and its residents.
Why This Work Matters
Despite Connecticut’s overall wealth, too many families and communities are being left behind:
40% of Connecticut families cannot afford basic living costs.
40% of the state is considered a child care desert, leaving families with little or no access to quality early care and education.
Fewer than half of public high school graduates are college- and career-ready.
Employers struggle to fill 90,000 open jobs due to gaps in postsecondary credentials and workforce skills.
These challenges are interconnected—and solvable. SIP exists to close these gaps by aligning policy, programs, and investment so that systems work better for the people they are meant to serve.
Our Approach
SIP works both locally at the community level, where services are delivered, and statewide, where policy, funding, and systems are shaped. We bring together leaders from nonprofits, education, business, philanthropy, and state government to drive coordinated, high-impact solutions.
Our model is distinctive: SIP pairs an experienced professional staff with a powerful community of highly skilled volunteers—leaders from business, consulting, and the public sector—who contribute time and strategic expertise to accelerate progress. This approach allows SIP to move faster, think bigger, and deliver results more efficiently than traditional models.
A Moment of Opportunity—and Growth
Founded in 2013, SIP has grown steadily in scale, credibility, and influence. Today, the organization includes:
17 professional staff
125 skilled volunteers
A deep network of trusted relationships across nonprofits, state government, higher education, and business
An annual operating budget of $4.5 million (FY26)
SIP’s strategic plan envisions doubling the organization’s revenue in the coming years to expand and deepen our impact across Connecticut. Our work is provided pro bono, and SIP is supported entirely by philanthropy—from individuals and corporate, family, and private foundations. Sustained and expanded philanthropic investment is essential to achieving our vision.
Why This Role Matters Now
This is a pivotal moment for SIP—and for a senior fundraising leader to help shape what comes next. The Director of Major Gifts will play a critical role in building the philanthropic partnerships that fuel systems-level change, connect donors to meaningful impact, and ensure SIP has the resources to meet this moment of opportunity.
For a development leader motivated by mission, transforming systems, scaling impact, and the power of philanthropy to drive lasting change, SIP offers a rare opportunity to make a measurable difference in the lives of children, families, and workers across Connecticut.
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