Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy

Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy

Full-time Exempt
Reports to Chief Growth & Engagement Officer (CGEO)

Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is seeking a passionate driven individual with the desire to learn grow and excel in a culture that values every member of the team. DSF was named one of the Denvers Top Workplaces in 2025 (6 year recipient of Top Workplaces) a testament to our team and to our intentionality in co-creating a positive inclusive work environment. When you join the DSF team you will enjoy a supportive and innovative environment where your work has a profound impact on the lives of students and their families.

As a nonprofit organization DSFs mission is to inspire and empower DPS students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions of higher education by providing the tools knowledge and financial resources essential for success. By embodying the core values of equity innovation leadership learning relationships and integrity in everything we do. DSF strives to be a leader within the community as we constantly seek to improve our services we build strong relationships with college staff members partners students team members and the broader community. We are committed to justice equity diversity and inclusion believing in the value and ability of all students and team members.

We seek candidates who will model live and reinforce DSFs mission and core values with colleagues students families and the broader community. If you are passionate about the philosophy and mission of DSF then we invite you to join us and help make college possible for Denvers students.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy serves as a senior frontline fundraising leader and strategic driver of Denver Scholarship Foundations (DSF) individual philanthropy program. This role is responsible for designing implementing and leading a comprehensive individual giving strategy that drives sustainable revenue growth strengthens donor retention and builds a robust pipeline of future major and principal gift donors.

Within the Grow and Engagement Team the Senior Director leads strategy performance and alignment of all individual donor programs; major gifts mid-level annual and planned giving. They ensure all efforts function as a cohesive system supporting acquisition retention and long-term pipeline growth. The role manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and oversees the team driving major gifts mid-level giving and annual individual philanthropy.

This role is accountable for establishing revenue goals defining performance metrics building monitoring and reporting on portfolio management and donor movement. The Senior Director partners closely with Marketing & Communications and Events to ensure storytelling engagement and philanthropy operate in alignment alongside the overarching vision set by the CGEO for the full department.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as primary relationship manager for a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects with responsibility for identification cultivation solicitation and stewardship of major and principal gifts.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive individual giving strategy including major gifts mid-level giving annual giving and planned giving aligned with DSFs strategic priorities.
• Establish and manage a clearly defined donor pipeline that supports long-term revenue growth including strategies for donor acquisition retention upgrade and re-engagement.
• Set and monitor performance metrics across the individual giving program including revenue goals donor retention portfolio movement and pipeline health.
• Partner with the Director of Development Operations to ensure data integrity reporting accuracy and the use of analytics to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Oversee and coach individual giving team members setting clear expectations portfolio strategies and performance metrics tied to revenue and donor movement.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to align messaging appeals and donor communications with DSFs brand and engagement strategy.
• Partner with program teams to develop compelling funding opportunities donor experiences and impact reporting that deepen donor engagement
• Work in partnership with CGEO to develop revenue projections inform budget development and align individual giving strategy with organizational priorities.
• Prepare and oversee development of donor-facing materials including proposals case statements and stewardship reports
• Actively utilize Salesforce to manage portfolio activity track donor engagement monitor pipeline movement and inform reporting.
• Manages the Director of Individual Philanthropy and Donor Relations Manager.
• Serve as a key thought partner to the Chief Growth & Engagement Officer on strategy to ensure individual giving is fully integrated with communications events and engagement efforts.
• Provide regular reporting and updates to Board of Directors and board committees
• Strategic leadership of the Professional Advisory Council in collaboration with CEO CGEO CFAO and DIG.
• Serve on DSF internal Senior Leadership team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to build strong authentic relationships with a donor-centric approach and high level of emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans that drive measurable revenue growth.
• Strong understanding of donor lifecycle management including acquisition retention and upgrade strategies.
• Ability to analyze data interpret performance metrics and adjust strategies to improve outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to craft compelling donor messaging.
• Proven ability to lead coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and influence without direct authority.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office applications and donor CRM systems.
• Works hybrid schedule three onsite days per week.

Education and Experience

• 10 or more years of nonprofit fundraising experience with a strong focus on individual giving required.
• 3-5 years of management experience
• Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts and managing high-capacity donor portfolios.
• Experience leading and scaling individual giving programs including mid-level and annual giving strategies.
• Bachelors Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM system preferred.
• Deep understanding of fundraising principles donor strategy and revenue forecasting.

Benefits

• $114000 to $125000
• 401(k) plan with $ for $ match of up to 5%
• Group health dental and vision insurance low-cost premium plans offered. DSF pays for 90% of employee only and 65% of dependent plans.
• Life Insurance that provides 2 Times Your Annual Salary
• Free Annual Eco RTD Bus Pass
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability Supplement (Based on Years of Service)
• Paid holidays (includes Winter Break and Summer 1/2 Fridays in June and July) and 2 Floating holidays each year
• Trusted Time Off (unlimited vacation policy following 90 days)
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave (Based on Years of Service)
• ID Theft Protection and Will Preparation Assistance
• Reduced cost for Legal Counseling
• Free Financial Counseling
• Four Professional Wellness Sessions and $300 annual wellness reimbursement
• Free Employee Assistance and Confidential Counseling Services

Job posting will remain open until 05/15/26 and may be extended if additional time is needed to gather qualified applicants.

Denver Scholarship Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Learn about DSFs commitment to Equity & Inclusion.