Major Gifts (Fundraising) Manager

About Run for Something 

Run for Something recruits and supports young, diverse progressives running for down-ballot races to build sustainable power nationwide. Since 2017, RFS has engaged over 250,000 potential candidates, endorsed over 4,500, and celebrated 1,600+ election victories. RFS alumni drive impactful changes in housing, abortion access, and education, shaping the Democratic Party's future.

RFS fosters a culture emphasizing work-life balance, sustainability, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. With strategic, year-round initiatives, RFS is dedicated to long-term democracy-building.

Learn more about our work and values on our Careers page.

Position Name: Major Gifts Manager

Reporting Structure: This role reports to the VP of Development

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the RFS United union.

Position summary: 

Run for Something (RFS) is currently hiring for a Major Gifts Manager to join our Development team. Reporting to the VP, Development, this role will advance the RFS mission and strategic priorities by contributing to a team that secures flexible funding from individual donors, ensuring Run for Something's mission is possible. 

Your primary responsibilities are threefold. First, you will own a portfolio of at least 65 major donors, from prospecting to solicitation to stewardship. You will be responsible for contributing to a team-wide goal of individual gifts in PAC, 501(c)(3), and 501(c)(4) support, and cultivating new relationships to ensure its sustainability and growth. Second, you will actively manage up to the VP of Development and the Executive Team to ensure excellent major gifts solicitation and stewardship. Third, you will be responsible for providing administrative support to the Development Team as they seek to meet ambitious fundraising goals.

The Major Gifts Manager also supports organizational priorities, maintains alignment with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals, and upholds core values while contributing to a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Key Responsibilities

The Major Gifts Manager will help RFS accomplish our strategic imperatives via:

• Major Gifts Program Strategy & Execution (70% of time)

  • Execute PAC, 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(3) major gifts fundraising plan for at least 65 major donors

  • Under the supervision of the VP of Development, meet team goals for the major gifts program; contribute to strategy development to meet objectives; adapt and pivot strategy when needed

  • Ensure quality, tailored stewardship of the major donors within your portfolio.

  • Draft and edit appeals, acknowledgments, donor updates, reports, and proposals in collaboration with the VP, Development

  • Execute a strong prospecting strategy to contribute to sustainability and growth in the RFS major gifts portfolio, including prospect research, outreach, and participation in donor meetings

  • Liaise with and manage up to the VP, Development, and Executive Team to execute major gifts outreach and strategies

  • Assist with the development of donor outreach and stewardship materials, including drafting proposals, presentations, and emails 

  • Assist with investment funding outreach and prospecting

• Administrative and Operations Duties (20% of time)

  • Assist with donor data management in our donor database (NGP) for major donors

  • Assist with donor acknowledgment process, ensuring timely thank you’s to our donors

  • Assist with internal Development Team needs, such as expense tracking, travel planning, and event support

  • Help ensure legal compliance of funding streams and financials, with support from the VP of Development, legal counsel, and the Finance & Compliance Department

  • Steward organizational resources with strong expense tracking and internal controls

  • Lead on fundraising event management, including stewardship of hosts, invitation outreach, event logistics, and event follow-up

  • Lead the planning of fundraising trips, including prospecting, outreach, and prepping travel briefs and materials for trips and donor meetings for the executive team and other leadership team members

• Management & Leadership (10% of time)

  • Manage up to the VP of Development and Executive Team to ensure excellent major gifts outreach, solicitation, and stewardship of VIP major donors 

  • Be an active leader and advocate for RFS’ philosophy, mission, values, culture, and DEI goals throughout the organization

  • Continuously evaluate and innovate on major gifts fundraising strategies and tactics; support fundraising literacy across the organization

  • Assist in the development of fundraising projections for the major gifts portfolio

  • Responsible for reporting key performance metrics for the major gifts program, tracking progress against fundraising goals, and flagging course corrections to the VP of Development

Your role and responsibilities may evolve to ensure they align with organizational priorities and that you continuously contribute to our mission of recruiting and supporting young progressives running for down-ballot offices.

Key Competencies and Qualifications

• Approximately 4-5 years of fundraising experience, including for PACs, political campaigns, or 501(c)(4)s

• Experience in electoral and/or progressive or movement work; or, a strong commitment to the Run for Something mission and a viewpoint on how to translate major gift strategy in a progressive political organization

• Contribute to and support a team that will sustain and grow the existing portfolio of major gifts to ensure organizational sustainability

• Develop strong relationships with RFS donors in one’s portfolio and ensure donors feel good about their support and role in the organization 

• Grow as a mid-career major gifts fundraiser

• Experience working for a blended organization, such as two or more of the following: PAC, 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(3) 

• Experience using NGP-VAN in a fundraising capacity 

• Demonstrated experience in strategically cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donor prospects

• Excellent persuasive verbal and written communication, including strong attention to detail and editing skills

• Ability to demonstrate discretion and hold sensitive and personal information about donors in confidence

• Proven ability to work independently in a remote setting, collaborate across teams, and maintain transparency in workflows

• Commitment to Run for Something’s mission and values, including contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment

Plus Qualifications

• Experience in progressive nonprofits, political campaigns, or fundraising for 501c3, 501c4 and 527 PACs

• Proficiency with NGP Database Software

• Familiarity with the progressive fundraising landscape

Work Environment 

• Run for Something operates as a fully remote organization, with team members collaborating from across the U.S. You will work from home or a location of your choosing. 

• This role involves attending approximately two all-staff or team events per year, which may include overnight travel. Reasonable accommodations are available for employees unable to travel or participate in gatherings.

• The position requires working core hours from Monday to Thursday, with occasional night and weekend work.

Run for Something is committed to building diverse teams and fostering equitable, inclusive environments that maximize the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. We strongly encourage individuals from marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with disabilities, to apply—especially those historically underrepresented in elected office. Learn more about our commitment here.

Learn more about what it’s like to work at Run for Something on our Careers page.

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary for this position is set at $98,100. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees. Run for Something salary bands for a given staff level are benchmarked to the 75th percentile for our sector, and all new employees are paid at the entry point of those bands. Employees then have the opportunity to progress through current salary bands through annual cost of living increases and performance-based pay increases, and into new salary bands through promotions. 

Learn more about our compensation policy here. 

Benefits at Run for Something include: 

• Four-Day Work Week (learn more here)

• Unlimited Paid Time Off policy 

• Platinum Medical Insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 50% of premium covered for dependents) 

• Dental and Vision Insurance (100% of premium covered for both employees and dependents) 

• Professional Development Stipend

• Treat Yourself Stipend ($500 a year to do something that brings you joy)

• Equipment Stipend

• 401k with matching

• Work from Home Stipend

• Cell Phone/Internet Stipend  

• 12 weeks paid family leave

• Paid Sabbatical (after 3 years of service to RFS)

• Employee Assistance Program

• ~ Four weeks in organization-wide holiday closures, including a two-week winter break

• Flexible, remote work environment

Work Authorization

Due to campaign finance restrictions, candidates must have valid work authorization and cannot be foreign nationals. We are legally restricted to hiring only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) for this position.

To Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early submissions.

For details on our interview process, please visit here.

Please do not contact us via phone, email, or social media for application inquiries. We cannot respond individually due to the high volume of applications. To ensure equity, we do not offer informational interviews for specific applicants. While applying can be challenging, we strive to keep all candidates informed about their status, though responses may occur after the application deadline.