Seven Oaks Retreat Center Capital Campaign Director

Position Overview

Seven Oaks Retreat Center—recently acquired by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington—is embarking on a transformational capital campaign to reimagine our beautiful 50-year-old campus into an eco-friendly, fully accessible, and affordable refuge for the Mid-Atlantic region. Located in Madison, VA, less than two hours from Washington, DC, Seven Oaks will become a sanctuary for meditation, healing, and inclusive community.

IMCW seeks a visionary Capital Campaign Director to lead this multi-year, multi-phase campaign from strategy through completion. This leader will be responsible for building the campaign infrastructure, cultivating donor relationships, and inspiring philanthropic support for a project that will serve generations of practitioners.

This is a hybrid position with frequent in-person activities at Seven Oaks Retreat Center and surrounding areas, and throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area mid-Atlantic region.

Key Responsibilities

Campaign Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive capital campaign plan aligned with IMCW’s mission and the long-term vision for Seven Oaks Retreat Center.
• Establish timelines, fundraising targets, donor pipelines, and progress benchmarks for all campaign phases.
• Partner closely with the IMCW Executive Director, IMCW Board, Seven Oaks Steering Committee and Campaign Committee to ensure alignment and momentum.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Identify, engage, and solicit major donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.
• Lead personalized cultivation strategies including meetings, retreats, tours of the Seven Oaks property, and tailored proposals.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships grounded in transparency, gratitude, and the shared values of generosity and community.

Communications & Campaign Materials

• Oversee development of compelling case statements, donor communications, campaign collateral, and impact reports.
• Help articulate the vision of Seven Oaks as an accessible, environmentally responsible retreat center rooted in Buddhist wisdom and service.
• Work with marketing and program staff to share stories that highlight the transformative potential of the project.

Operational & Team Management

• Reports to the IMCW Executive Director, and is supported by the IMCW Development Manager.
• Establish campaign systems, tracking tools, and reporting processes; manage campaign budget and financial projections.
• Coordinate and support the work of the Campaign Committee and volunteer ambassadors.
• Engage and guide consultants, architects, and project partners to ensure campaign milestones align with construction phases.

Qualifications

• Proven success planning and leading capital campaigns of $5M+ (experience with $10M+ preferred).
• Demonstrated strength in major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to communicate with warmth, clarity, and inspiration.
• Experience working with nonprofits, spiritual communities, or mission-driven organizations; familiarity with Buddhist or contemplative environments is a plus.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; comfort managing long-term, multi-phase initiatives.
• Commitment to accessibility, environmental sustainability, and inclusive community values.
• Ability to travel to Madison, VA and the DC region regularly for site visits, donor meetings, and events.

Personal Qualities

• Inspiring communicator who can translate vision into action.
• Collaborative, grounded, and highly relational.
• Able to hold complexity with steadiness and clarity.
• Deep appreciation for contemplative practice, community, and environmental stewardship.

Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, starting at $85,000

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing why this project resonates with you and how your experience aligns with the needs of the campaign: pam.jacobson@imcw.org. Please note that a cover letter is required for consideration for this position.

This role offers an extraordinary opportunity to help build a lasting refuge—one that supports awakening, connection, and compassionate action for decades to come.

Grounded in Buddhist teachings, IMCW is dedicated to equity, inclusion, and right relationship in the workplace. We seek to create an environment of belonging, where we serve one another with compassion, mindful awareness, and respect for the dignity of all beings.