Director of Individual Giving

Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Portland, Maine

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) seeks two accomplished, collaborative, and strategic fundraising leaders to join its growing development team: a Director of Individual Giving and a Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. Both are newly elevated positions reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), and both will play a central role in advancing GMRI's $100 million comprehensive campaign—the largest fundraising initiative in the organization's history, now in its readiness and quiet phase.

GMRI is science-based and community-driven, with a mission to develop and deliver collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. This independent, objective nonprofit organization is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, economy, and the communities that depend on it. Scientists at GMRI were the first to publish research revealing rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine, one of the fastest-warming bodies of water on the planet. GMRI leverages insights and data from its work in the Gulf of Maine to develop solutions that are relevant locally, regionally, and around the world, collaborating with stakeholders to support healthy ocean ecosystems, a thriving blue economy, sustainable seafood, and climate-resilient coastal communities.

Guided by a new strategic plan and the leadership of President & CEO Glenn Prickett, GMRI is preparing to launch its comprehensive campaign: a bold effort to fundamentally rebalance its funding model, shifting from roughly equal public and private support toward a future led by private philanthropy. This is not simply a fundraising campaign—it is an investment in GMRI's ability to act with agility, independence, and confidence, no matter what happens in Washington. Both roles will be central to making this shift possible, converting GMRI's track record of impact into a durable base of private support that gives the organization the freedom to pursue bold science and protect the Gulf of Maine for generations to come.

The Director of Individual Giving will provide strategic leadership for GMRI's major and principal gifts program, designing and implementing a best-in-class individual giving program that strengthens donor engagement, expands GMRI's pipeline of transformational investments, and builds a culture of disciplined portfolio management and donor-centered relationship management. As a frontline fundraiser, the director will personally manage a portfolio of approximately 50 to 75 major and principal gift prospects capable of philanthropic investments of $100,000 or more, working closely with the President & CEO, CDO, board members, campaign volunteers, and scientists to develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The director will also provide leadership and coaching to an associate director for individual giving, helping to build the systems and culture needed to sustain GMRI's fundraising success beyond the current campaign.

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations will provide strategic leadership for GMRI's private institutional fundraising program, including foundation and corporate funding, overseeing the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising from prospect identification through proposal strategy, grant development, stewardship, and renewal. The director will manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 national, regional, and statewide foundations and corporations capable of investments of $100,000 or more, with annual fundraising goals of $2 million or more once the portfolio is fully developed. The director will also lead GMRI's institutional fundraising staff and consultants, including a corporate relations manager, translating complex research and impact initiatives into compelling, fundable opportunities for funders who share GMRI's commitment to the ocean and coastal communities.

Both roles call for a bachelor's degree and significant, progressively responsible fundraising experience, including proven success closing six- and seven-figure gifts, supervising staff, and working within a complex institution. Ideal candidates will bring expert knowledge of current trends in philanthropy, experience partnering with nonprofit boards and volunteers, excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and absolute discretion with confidential information. A background in marine, scientific, climate, or educational fundraising is a strong plus for either position, though not required.

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is partnering with Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, in these recruitment efforts. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of each search. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications (including CVs and cover letters) should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for each search:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/gulf-maine-research-institute/director-individual-giving 

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/gulf-maine-research-institute/director-corporate-and-foundation-relations 

Rebecca Kennedy, Managing Partner (she/her)

Becky Piper, Managing Associate (she/her)

Marlyn Desire, Senior Search Coordinator (she/her)

Isaacson, Miller

Gulf of Maine Research Institute has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.