Director of Philanthropy

Job Title: Director of Philanthropy

Reports To: Chief Development Officer

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Date: 10/13/2025

About Us:

Welcome to Grace Place for Children and Families, where we believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Nestled in sunny Naples, FL, we’re a vibrant nonprofit community that empowers children and families through transformative educational programs. If you're passionate about making a real difference and love connecting people to purpose, we’d love to meet you!

Position: Director of Philanthropy (Major Gifts)

This is a full-time, on-site role located in Naples, FL for a Director of Philanthropy at Grace Place for Children and Families. The Director of Philanthropy will create, implement, and manage fundraising strategies to support the organization’s mission. Key responsibilities include overseeing donor cultivation and stewardship, managing planned and annual giving campaigns, conducting prospect research, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. The Director will lead the development team, coordinate fundraising events, and ensure the sustainability of current and future philanthropic initiatives while working closely with community partners.

What You’ll Be Doing (and Loving!):

Strategize Like a Pro

• Design compelling giving opportunities that tell our story through the voices of students, families, and donors.
• Build and evolve our gift pyramid with smart, data-driven tactics.
• Create a menu of naming opportunities that spark excitement and pride.
• Empower our board to be fundraising champions through training and engagement.

Discover Hidden Gems

• Dive into our donor database to uncover major gift potential.
• Use smart tools and social media to find new philanthropic partners.
• Host inspiring campus visits that connect donors to our mission.
• Collaborate with board members to expand our donor family.

Cultivate Connections

• Lead a dynamic major gifts campaign with heart and vision.
• Personalize engagement plans for top donors and prospects.
• Host intimate events that build community and spark generosity.
• Launch a leadership giving society that celebrates impact.

Ask with Confidence

• Craft tailored proposals that speak to donors’ passions.
• Lead face-to-face conversations that inspire transformational giving.
• Use peer-to-peer strategies to expand our reach.
• Recognize every donor’s journey with thoughtful touches and gratitude.

Celebrate and Steward

• Share powerful impact stories through reports, videos, and events.
• Create joyful recognition experiences that honor generosity.
• Build lasting relationships through personalized stewardship.
• Keep donors informed, appreciated, and inspired to stay involved.

Track the Magic

• Monitor progress, measure success, and celebrate wins.
• Use data to refine strategies and elevate outcomes.
• Report to leadership with clarity and confidence.

What You Bring to the Table

• Proven success in major gifts fundraising and donor engagement.
• A natural leader who inspires teams and builds trust.
• Stellar communication skills—written, verbal, and visual.
• A love for data and storytelling.
• Experience in grant writing is a plus.
• A deep passion for education and community transformation.

Ready to Lead with Purpose?

• Submit your resume and cover letter to join a team that’s changing lives every day. At Grace Place, you won’t just raise funds—you’ll raise hope, opportunity, and futures.