Senior Director of Philanthropic Giving

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1983 and incorporated in 1993, The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center provides a safe gathering place for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and supportive communities of Westchester County and the Hudson Valley region. The LOFT facilitates a wide range of educational, health, social service, and recreational programs, and advocates for improved services for the LGBTQ+ community. Our mission is to further the cause of inclusion, diversity, and pride through education, advocacy, and celebration.

Principal Functions

The Senior Director of Philanthropic Giving will design and drive an ambitious fundraising strategy that fuels The LOFT’s transformational mission and long-term growth. This senior leader will manage a multi-year resource development plan that supports both operational priorities and strategic initiatives, including a forthcoming capital campaign for facility expansion and sustainability.

Reporting to the CEO and working in close partnership with the Executive Leadership Team, the Senior Director will shape The LOFT’s philanthropic vision by elevating visibility, mobilizing donor networks, and leveraging equity-centered storytelling to inspire investment in LGBTQ+ liberation. This leader will spearhead cultivation of major gifts, expand institutional partnerships, steward legacy donors, and engage the board and staff in philanthropy.

This role is ideal for a strategic and relationship-driven fundraiser with deep commitment to intersectional justice, major gift development, and building a culture of philanthropy that centers racial equity and LGBTQ+ justice.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a 3–5 year development strategy aligned with The LOFT’s strategic plan, including unrestricted, restricted, and capital campaign revenue goals.
• Collaborate with the CEO and board to shape philanthropic positioning and narrative strategy that attracts transformational giving.
• Partner with organizational leadership to integrate fundraising into overall decision-making and long-term planning.
• Lead preparations for a capital campaign, including feasibility studies, case development, donor identification, and campaign infrastructure.
• Translate The LOFT’s mission and impact into compelling, equity-centered funding opportunities.

Major Gifts & Capital Campaign

• Manage a portfolio of donors, cultivating long-term relationships that inspire significant investment.
• Develop and implement solicitation strategies for high-capacity donors, including board members, foundation executives, and philanthropic influencers.
• Partner with the CEO and campaign counsel to design and manage all phases of the capital campaign.
• Create a compelling case for support that reflects The LOFT’s commitments to racial equity and LGBTQ+ liberation.

Institutional & Individual Fundraising

• Oversee and expand a portfolio of revenue streams including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, special events, and planned giving.
• Secure multi-year grants and corporate partnerships that strengthen programs and operations.
• Build systems for donor cultivation, moves management, and stewardship that ensure personalized engagement.
• Collaborate with finance staff to align fundraising with compliance, reporting, and grant budgeting.

Team & Board Engagement

• Supervise and mentor development staff, communications staff, and consultants supporting resource development.
• Train and coach board members to be effective ambassadors and fundraisers, with clear tools and strategies.
• Partner with program staff to surface impact stories and connect funders with programmatic outcomes.

Communications & Events

• Collaborate with communications staff to produce donor-facing materials, annual reports, newsletters, and digital campaigns.
• Oversee signature fundraising events such as the Gala and Westchester Pride, aligning them with cultivation and revenue goals.
• Drive innovation in donor engagement through peer-to-peer, digital, and community-based giving strategies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years progressive leadership in fundraising, with demonstrated success in major gifts and campaigns.
• Strong understanding of equity-centered philanthropy, with experience in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC contexts; lived experience as LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC strongly encouraged.
• Proven ability to design and execute strategic fundraising plans and multi-faceted campaigns.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting major donors, institutional partners, and board members.
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to inspire through compelling storytelling.
• Familiarity with donor CRM systems such as Greater Giving.
• Highly organized, entrepreneurial, and deeply committed to racial, gender, and economic justice.

Additional information:

Must be willing to work some evenings and occasional weekends.

If you are passionate about leading a dedicated team, fostering inclusivity, and advancing the mission of The LOFT, we encourage you to apply. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community and promote a culture of inclusion, diversity, and pride.

Physical Requirements:

• Sit for extended periods while working at a desk or in meetings.
• Use a computer and other office equipment effectively.
• Travel within the community to attend events and meetings.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO STATEMENT

The LOFT is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance