Director of Major Gifts

At St. Francis House (SFH), up to 600 adults each day find safety, community, support, and pathways toward stability and healing. As New England’s largest day shelter and a leading provider of integrated services for people experiencing homelessness, SFH plays a vital role in addressing one of Boston’s most urgent public health and social challenges – while embracing those seeking safe and dignified refuge and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

 

At a meaningful moment of growth and momentum, SFH is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising leader to serve as Director of Major Gifts. This is an opportunity to help shape and advance a growing major-gifts program as a key member of the philanthropy team, deepening donor engagement and expanding support for SFH’s impactful work in housing stabilization, behavioral health, workforce development, recovery services, and integrated care.

 

Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy and partnering closely with organizational leadership, the Director of Major Gifts will:  

●      Lead strategy and execution for the organization’s major gifts program.

●      Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 100–125 individual donors and prospects capable of significant philanthropic investment.

●      Cultivate, solicit, and steward five- and six-figure gifts in support of annual and strategic priorities. 

●      Collaborate with the VP on donor strategy, pipeline development, and relationship management. 

●      Supervise and mentor a major gifts officer and provide insight to team members. 

●      Help ensure donors experience thoughtful, meaningful, and mission-connected engagement with SFH. 

●      Serve as an active and collaborative member of the SFH’s leadership team 

 

The successful candidate will bring:

●      Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a bachelor’s degree and 5+ years’ demonstrated experience in frontline fundraising.

●      A successful record of cultivating and securing significant philanthropic support. 

●      Strong relationship-building instincts and excellent interpersonal skills. 

●      The ability to engage authentically with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and community stakeholders. 

●      Leadership experience, including mentoring or managing staff. 

●      Strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. 

●      An appreciation for the mission and complexity of social services work.

●      Experience within the Greater Boston philanthropic community is highly valued.

 

Salary range: $122,000–$138,000, commensurate with experience.

SFH offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including generous paid time off, strong health and retirement benefits, and a hybrid work schedule.

 

Established 40 years ago, the nonsectarian, non-profit St. Francis House believes in the worth of every human being and that when people have the right tools, meaningful change is possible. SFH fosters a collaborative culture focused on mutual respect, adaptability, and excellence, providing guests with the resources they need to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives. From basic services to rehabilitative and housing support, the agency offers continuous, comprehensive, transformative care.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, SFH is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where all staff can reach their fullest potential. SFH welcomes candidates with lived experience and those who have faced historic barriers to competitive employment.

This is a retained executive search of Exceptional Executive Search.