Director of Philanthropic Partnerships

Thistle Farms•Nashville, TN

2d•$69,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Director of Philanthropic Partnerships will build, grow, and actively manage a dynamic portfolio of donors and prospects, beginning at the $5,000+ level, with a strategic focus on deepening engagement and increasing philanthropic investment to $10,000 and above. This role is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that directly contribute to achieving annual revenue goals and long-term sustainability. As a key member of the External Affairs team, the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships will play a central role in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of Thistle Farms by securing major and planned gifts. In close partnership with the CEO, President & Founder, and VP of External Affairs, this role will build authentic, trust-based relationships with donors, craft compelling cases for support, and create meaningful engagement opportunities that inspire transformational giving. The Director of Philanthropic Partnerships is a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser and skilled communicator with a demonstrated track record of securing significant philanthropic investments. This individual brings strong writing and storytelling capabilities, a data-informed approach to portfolio management, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. This role also provides leadership and oversight to the Donor Relations Manager, ensuring alignment and excellence across donor engagement efforts, including monthly giving, direct response campaigns, and stewardship programs, to strengthen the overall donor experience and pipeline development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree a plus.
5+ years of progressive fundraising experience with a focus on individual giving or major gifts.
Demonstrated success securing significant individual gifts and upgrading donors over time.
Experience managing a donor portfolio and executing moves management strategies.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and networking skills
Experience in supervising, mentoring, and motivating staff
Comfort engaging high-net-worth individuals, Board members, and organizational leadership.
Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to build structure and momentum in a developing program.
Advanced experience using donor databases and CRM systems (Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred).

Responsibilities

Major Donor Portfolio Management (60%) Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 donors and prospects beginning at the $5,000+ giving level.
Make direct solicitations and close gifts; maintain a high level of donor and prospect engagement, including regular in-person and virtual meetings (8-12 per month)
Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align donor interests with Thistle Farms’ priorities.
Prepare donor briefings, proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship materials.
Partner with the CEO and VP, External Affairs on leadership-level donor strategy and solicitations.
Monitor and analyze portfolio activity to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities, and systematically track progress and cultivation moves within Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT to ensure consistent engagement and strong pipeline development.
Meet annual fundraising goals tied to portfolio performance and revenue growth.
Prospect Identification & Pipeline Growth (20%) Identify and qualify new prospective donors through research, events, referrals, and community networks.
Develop strategies to upgrade annual donors into leadership giving.
Build a sustainable pipeline of individuals capable of $10,000+ gifts.
Partner with leadership to identify new prospects and expand the leadership giving pipeline.
Lead the revitalization of the planned giving program; identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward planned giving prospects.
Management and Supervisory Responsibilities (20%) Directly manage and supervise the Donor Relations Manager who oversees direct response strategies, monthly donors, and donor stewardship.
Collaborate with the Donor Relations Manager to identify and upgrade mid-level donors into major donors.
Provide strategic support and inspire collaboration across the External Affairs department.