Foundation for Economic Education has retained the recruiting firm Big Fish on this search.
Please contact Angel Fimbres Barcelo at [email protected] for any questions or referrals regarding the role. Big Fish is a boutique recruiting firm specializing in the talent needed to drive policy change.

Director of Donor Engagement

Director of Donor Engagement – Foundation for Economic Education

Who we are:

Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) has dedicated itself to making the fundamental economic, ethical, and legal principles of a free society both accessible and compelling to a general audience.

FEE is at the forefront of youth engagement with the freedom philosophy, delivering high-impact programs and digital content that reach millions annually. We continue to scale our efforts, building on a strong legacy of innovation and thought leadership.

More detailed information may be found at https://fee.org/about.

What is the Role:

FEE is seeking a Director of Donor Engagement who will report to the Chief Development Officer. The Director’s leadership will cultivate strategic relationships with major donors, identify new funding opportunities, and advance sustainable growth in support of FEE’s mission.

This role focuses on major donor (individual and foundation) portfolio management, donor cultivation and stewardship, high-level prospecting, and relationship-building to foster long-term, meaningful partnerships.

What you will do:

Portfolio Management
• Manage a portfolio of 125–150 major donors, including high-net-worth individuals and foundations.
• Plan and execute cultivation and stewardship activities—emails, mailed proposals, handwritten notes, calls, event invitations, and meetings—to deepen engagement.
• Prepare for and lead donor meetings, ensuring timely documentation of all interactions in Salesforce.
• Connect donors with FEE’s President and program staff when strategic to advance relationships or opportunities.

Strategic Relationship Development
• Develop and implement tailored strategies to strengthen relationships with major donors and philanthropic partners.
• Partner with the President to steward a select group of high-value donor relationships and ensure consistent, high-quality communication.
• Identify and research new major donor and foundation prospects to grow FEE’s funding pipeline.

Prospecting and Engagement
• Lead proactive efforts to uncover new funding opportunities across high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Create personalized engagement plans that reflect each prospect’s interests, capacity, and philanthropic goals.
• Represent FEE at donor meetings and events, building authentic relationships and elevating FEE’s visibility.

Collaboration and Reporting
• Coordinate closely with the President and Chief Development Officer to ensure donor strategies align with organizational priorities.
• Produce clear, actionable reports on prospecting progress, donor engagement, and revenue trends to guide decision-making.
• Serve as a liaison between donors and FEE program teams, helping shape funding opportunities, develop pitches, and facilitate cross-departmental communication.

Who you are:

• You have a deep passion for the ideas of classical liberalism
• You have 5+ years of experience in donor relations, major gift fundraising, or a similar role
• You have a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with high-net-worth donors
• You excel at strategic thinking, with a focus on personalized donor engagement and cultivation
• You thrive in a results-oriented environment and can manage multiple priorities effectively
• You are a persuasive communicator with exceptional written and verbal skills
• You are a detail-oriented and organized, capable of creating, executing, and documenting donor cultivation and stewardship plans
• You are willing to travel up to 20-30% of the time to meet with donors, attend events, and represent FEE

What we offer:

FEE prides itself on attracting and retaining top-tier talent. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including:

• Health and dental insurance with deductible reimbursement
• A 401(k) plan with a 50% employer match up to $4,000
• Flexible time off

You’ll join a collaborative, creative, and energetic work environment dedicated to the advancement of the freedom philosophy.