Director of Fundraising & Partnerships -Grant Cardone Foundation

Job Description

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Grant Cardone Foundation is seeking a dynamic, results-driven fundraising leader to help grow our revenue, expand our donor base, and elevate our visibility. This role blends strategic fundraising, relationship-based sales, event leadership, and people management. The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser who enjoys coaching a small team while personally leading major gifts, partnerships, and high-impact fundraising events.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in building relationships, creating buzz-worthy experiences, and motivating others to perform at a high level in service of a meaningful mission.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Identification & Major Gifts

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors aligned with the organization’s mission.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of major gift prospects, from initial outreach through solicitation, closing, and stewardship.
• Personally solicit and close major gifts, sponsorships, and multi-year commitments.
• Partner with the Executive Director, board members, and senior leaders to leverage networks and expand donor reach.
• Ensure thoughtful stewardship and ongoing engagement of donors at all giving levels.

Partnerships & Revenue Growth

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with corporations, community leaders, and mission-aligned organizations.
• Create sponsorship and partnership opportunities tied to fundraising events, programs, and campaigns.
• Negotiate partnership terms and deliverables to maximize mutual value.
• Track fundraising and partnership performance against goals and KPIs.

Live Events & Experiential Fundraising

• Lead the strategy, design, and execution of high-impact live fundraising events that generate excitement, visibility, and revenue.
• Oversee and support a portfolio of events, including:
  • Fundraising cruises and destination donor experiences
  • Cocktail receptions and private donor gatherings
  • Fundraising luncheons, breakfasts, and leadership briefings
• Drive ticket sales, sponsorship sales, and table sales using a consultative, sales-driven approach.
• Ensure events are leveraged to deepen donor relationships and convert attendees into long-term supporters.

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of fundraisers, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Set clear goals, expectations, and accountability for individual and team fundraising targets.
• Coach team members on donor cultivation, solicitation strategies, and event sales best practices.
• Oversee workload prioritization, performance management, and professional development.
• Create consistent fundraising processes, tools, and rhythms to support team success.

Sales & Engagement Strategy

• Apply proven sales methodologies to fundraising efforts, including prospecting, relationship management, closing, and follow-up.
• Develop compelling messaging and materials that drive donor engagement and event attendance.
• Use data and insights to refine strategies and improve donor conversion and retention.
• Represent the organization with confidence and enthusiasm at events, donor meetings, and community engagements.

What Success Looks Like

• A motivated, well-coached fundraising team delivering strong and growing results.
• Increased major gift revenue and a healthy, expanding donor pipeline.
• Strategic partnerships that drive funding and raise the organization’s profile.
• Live events that are well-attended, revenue-generating, and widely talked about.
• Donors who feel deeply connected to the mission and committed to long-term support.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or relationship-based sales.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and leading donor relationships.
• Proven experience selling and executing fundraising events, including cruises, cocktail receptions, and luncheons.
• Prior experience managing or mentoring a small fundraising or sales team.
• Strong sales orientation with confidence in making asks and closing commitments.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized, strategic, and comfortable managing multiple initiatives.
• Passion for the mission and ability to inspire others.
• Experience with CRM systems and donor databases preferred.