Regional Director of Philanthropy – Denver Market

Applications Due By August 7th, 2026

Goodwill of Colorado

Job Description

Pay: $135,000-$155,000 per year

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Goodwill of Colorado is seeking a dynamic and accomplished fundraising leader to serve as our Regional Director of Philanthropy – Denver Market. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced development professional to help shape and expand Goodwill’s philanthropic presence in Colorado’s largest and most competitive giving market.

We’re looking for a strategic relationship-builder with a proven track record of securing major gifts, cultivating influential partnerships, and opening doors to new opportunities. The ideal Regional Director of Philanthropy – Denver Market brings an established network within the Denver community and is energized by the challenge of growing a donor pipeline, building meaningful connections, and creating lasting impact through philanthropy.

This role is more than traditional fundraising, it is about creating and growing a market. As a key ambassador for Goodwill’s mission, you will connect individuals, corporations, foundations, and community leaders to transformational opportunities that support education, workforce development, and career advancement across Colorado. Success in this position requires an entrepreneurial mindset, strong business acumen, and the confidence to develop new relationships while strategically stewarding long-term philanthropic partnerships.

If you’re passionate about building something meaningful, thrive in a highly visible leadership role, and are motivated by the opportunity to expand Goodwill’s impact throughout the Denver metro area, we invite you to join our team and help shape the future of philanthropy at Goodwill of Colorado.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Regional Director of Philanthropy – Denver Market is responsible for leading philanthropic growth and expanding Goodwill of Colorado’s fundraising presence throughout the Denver metropolitan area. This strategic leadership role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders to increase philanthropic investment in Goodwill’s mission.

The ideal Regional Director is an entrepreneurial fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing significant gifts, building influential relationships, and creating new opportunities for engagement and support. Serving as a key ambassador for Goodwill of Colorado, the Regional Director will develop and execute fundraising strategies, build a sustainable donor pipeline, and strengthen the organization’s visibility and impact within the Denver community. Success in this role requires strong relationship-building skills, strategic initiative, resilience, and the ability to inspire philanthropic support that advances education, workforce development, and career advancement programs across Colorado.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the development and expansion of Goodwill of Colorado’s philanthropic presence throughout the Denver metropolitan area.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow philanthropic revenue through major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and community engagement.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors to build a sustainable fundraising pipeline.
• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with business leaders, community stakeholders, philanthropic partners, and key influencers.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Goodwill of Colorado, representing the organization’s mission, programs, and community impact throughout the Denver market.
• Proactively generate new fundraising opportunities by identifying and engaging prospective donors, partners, and community supporters.
• Conduct donor discovery, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship-management activities to achieve fundraising goals.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, board members, volunteers, and internal stakeholders to enhance philanthropic support and community visibility.
• Create and implement donor engagement strategies that connect philanthropic investments with workforce development, education, and career advancement initiatives.
• Monitor fundraising performance and pipeline activity, utilizing data and metrics to drive decision-making and achieve revenue objectives.
• Represent Goodwill at networking events, community meetings, industry associations, and philanthropic gatherings to increase awareness and support.
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and donor communications that communicate organizational impact and funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate donor records, prospect activity, and fundraising forecasts in the donor management system.
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy, initiative, and strategic judgment in identifying opportunities and advancing donor relationships.
• Achieve established fundraising, donor acquisition, donor retention, and pipeline development goals.
• Support the long-term growth and sustainability of Goodwill’s philanthropic footprint in Colorado’s largest and most competitive charitable giving market.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• A Bachelors degree in related field is preferred; or education and equivalent professional experience in lieu of degree.

Experience:

• Demonstrated success securing and closing high five- and six-figure philanthropic gifts.
• Experience building a major gifts portfolio through proactive prospect identification and relationship development.
• Proven ability to cultivate and manage relationships with major donors, corporate executives, philanthropists, board members, community leaders, business partners, and other key stakeholders, using strategic moves management and donor engagement practices. With a track record of consistently meeting or exceeding annual fundraising objectives.
• Experience in a large, complex nonprofit organization or comparable fundraising environment preferred.

Other:

• Strong networking and collaboration skills with the confidence to initiate new relationships and engage diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial and strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities, adapt to changing priorities, and execute growth-oriented fundraising strategies.
• Self-motivated, resilient, and adaptable with the ability to manage competing priorities and achieve ambitious fundraising goals. Relationship-driven with genuine curiosity to understand donor motivations, community needs, and philanthropic interests.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors, corporate partners, foundations, and other philanthropic supporters preferred.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• The incumbent will be required and must have the ability to drive for company business*.

*Per auto vehicle insurance carrier requirements: For applicants/employees to qualify for inclusion on the Goodwill driver insurance schedule, for purpose of driving Goodwill fleet vehicles, or for purpose of receiving company mileage reimbursement they must be at least:

• 21 years of age (not engaged in passenger transportation),
• 25 – 70 years of age for all passenger transportation services,
• 25 years of age for CDL.

Applicants/employee will be required to undergo a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check and background check; applicants/employees must disclose all moving traffic violations or vehicle crashes (within the last five (5) years)(Note: not all violations are a disqualification for employment and each case will be reviewed by the insurance carrier); must have valid Colorado State driver license; must also be able to operate company vehicle, and adhere to all Federal, State, and local laws governing vehicle operation.

Applicants/employees using their personal vehicle for company business (receiving company mileage reimbursement), must have valid vehicle insurance, valid driver license, and vehicle must be in roadworthy condition.

Goodwill is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to employing qualified individuals including those with disabilities, protected veterans and military spouses.

Goodwill participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS: 888-897-7781 or www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

We promote a Safe & Drug-free Workplace.

Physical Requirements

Attachment to Job Description

Job Title: 935 – Regional Director of Philanthropy – Denver Market Dept Number: 9900

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Guide to Physical Requirements:

• Continuously (5-8 hours)
• Frequently (3-4 hours)
• Occasionally (1-2 hours)
• Never

LIFTING: (as defined by ADA)

Heavy: 45 lbs & over – NEVER

Moderate: 15-44 lbs – OCCASIONALLY

Light: 14 lbs & under – FREQUENTLY

CARRYING:

Heavy: 45 lbs & over – NEVER

Moderate: 15-44 lbs – OCCASIONALLY

Light: 14 lbs & under – FREQUENTLY

PUSHING/PULLING – OCCASIONALLY

REACHING:

Above Shoulder – FREQUENTLY

At Shoulder – FREQUENTLY

Below Shoulder – FREQUENTLY

TWISTING – FREQUENTLY

BENDING – FREQUENTLY

KNEELING/CRAWLING – OCCASIONALLY

SQUAT – OCCASIONALLY

CLIMBING:

Use of legs only (stairs) – FREQUENTLY

Use of arms & legs (ladders) – NEVER

HEARING – CONTINUOUSLY

VISION:

Visual, close – CONTINUOUSLY

Visual, distant – CONTINUOUSLY

Visual, depth perception – CONTINUOUSLY

HANDS/FINGERS:

Simple grasping – CONTINUOUSLY

Fine Manipulation – CONTINUOUSLY

Repetitive Movements – CONTINUOUSLY

WALKING – FREQUENTLY

STANDING – FREQUENTLY

SITTING – FREQUENTLY

SPEAKING – CONTINUOUSLY

OTHER, please describe – FREQUENTLY – Driving