Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts

Are you passionate about connecting people to meaningful, high-impact work? Village Enterprise is looking for a dynamic and mission-driven Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts to inspire and engage high-net-worth individuals in supporting first-time entrepreneurs living in extreme poverty. We are seeking a relationship driven fundraiser who has a proven track record of building and growing donor pipelines, deepening engagement with high-net-worth individuals, and closing six- and seven-figure gifts. The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial self-starter, excited to open doors, build relationships, and make bold asks in support of our entrepreneurs. 

If you are passionate about economic empowerment, social impact, and making a tangible difference—and you have the skills to connect others to this mission—this is the position for you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Inspire and Engage: Be the voice and champion of Village Enterprise’s mission, connecting high-net-worth individuals to the life-changing work of equipping first-time entrepreneurs to lift their families out of poverty.
• Build and Grow a Thriving Network: Expand and strengthen a portfolio of passionate donors and prospects who believe in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives. You’ll open doors, spark connections, and cultivate relationships that drive lasting impact.
• Lead with Strategy and Heart: Develop and execute a high-touch major gifts strategy, ensuring donors feel deeply connected to our mission while securing six- and seven-figure gifts that fuel growth and scale.
• Be on the Frontlines of Fundraising: Relentlessly pursue new funding opportunities, proactively identifying and cultivating relationships with individuals who have the capacity and passion to give at a transformational level. You’re not just comfortable making the ask—you thrive on it.
• Partner with Leadership & the Board: Work closely with the CEO, executive team, and board members to leverage their networks, design powerful donor engagement strategies, and drive fundraising success.
• Bring Donors into the Story: Create and execute immersive donor experiences—whether through powerful storytelling, compelling in-person meetings, or transformational donor trips—that inspire people to give generously.

Key Results:

• Hundreds of First-Time Entrepreneurs Launched – Because of your work, more individuals living in extreme poverty will gain the opportunity to start a business, support their families, and transform their futures.
• Millions of Dollars Mobilized for Impact – You will secure six- and seven-figure gifts that directly fund life-changing programs, scaling our ability to reach more communities with our proven poverty graduation model.
• A Thriving, Committed Donor Community – Through your relationship-building and storytelling, you will cultivate a network of passionate, engaged donors who feel deeply connected to the entrepreneurs they support. Because of you, donors won’t just write a check—they’ll feel personally invested in the mission, experiencing the power of their generosity in action through one-on-one connections, transformative trips, and inspiring stories.

Qualifications:

We recognize that great fundraisers come from diverse backgrounds, and we’re looking for someone who is mission-driven, entrepreneurial, and ready to connect high-net-worth individuals to transformational impact. If you’re excited by this role and believe you can excel, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every qualification listed below.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A Passion for Our Mission – You care deeply about economic empowerment, poverty alleviation, and social impact and can inspire others to join the cause.
• Exceptional Relationship-Building Skills – You love meeting new people, building authentic connections, and deepening engagement with high-net-worth individuals, board members, and other key stakeholders.
• A Track Record of Inspiring Giving – Whether through fundraising, sales, partnerships, or another field, you’ve successfully engaged and influenced individuals or organizations to make significant financial commitments. Ideally, you have experience securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, or corporate partners—or you have the skills and confidence to learn quickly.
• Entrepreneurial Drive – You’re proactive, resourceful, and energized by seeking out new opportunities, whether it’s identifying the next major donor, crafting a compelling pitch, or creating innovative ways to connect people to our mission.
• A Strategic and Data-Driven Approach – You’re comfortable tracking donor engagement, analyzing fundraising trends, and using data to inform next steps, ensuring we grow in the smartest way possible.
• Comfort with Travel and High-Touch Engagement – You enjoy meeting donors where they are, whether that means traveling to donor meetings, attending networking events, or helping to organize immersive donor trips to Africa.

This role is ideally based in the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, but we are open to exceptional candidates from other locations within the U.S

If you’re excited about the opportunity to connect high-net-worth individuals to life-changing impact and believe you have the skills, passion, and drive to thrive in this role, we’d love to hear from you!