Major Gift Officer - California

Are you a person of compassion? An advocate for justice? Someone who stands up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaks out for the marginalized, the exploited and the forgotten? Do you believe in our calling as Christians to welcome the least of these and love our neighbor?

If you answered 'yes', to any of the above, World Relief, and millions of people around the world need you.


At this pivotal moment in time, we are rapidly expanding and growing our team to meet the increasing needs of our world. We are looking for people who want to use their gifts and talents to make a real and tangible difference in our world and the lives of the suffering.


If you're looking for a purpose-driven career in which you can grow your talents, while also standing up for the rights of the vulnerable, we want you to join us today.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world's greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish.


Today, organizational programming focuses on humanitarian and disaster response, community strengthening and resilience, and refugee & immigrant services and advocacy.

POSITION SUMMARY:

World Relief California seeks a Major Gifts Officer to manage a portfolio of approximately 100 to 125+ major gift donors and prospects. This person will be responsible for identifying strategic opportunities, developing and implementing initiatives to identify, cultivate and solicit prospects with significant philanthropic capacity to ensure a strong base of financial support. The Major Gifts Officer will work with World Relief California's Advancement Department in building a strong portfolio of prospects and successfully engage prospects via the World Relief sales or moves management process.


Hybrid schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5;00pm; 3 days onsite and 2 work from home days.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Donor Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Design and implement innovative, data-informed strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit high-capacity donors and prospects for major gifts ($10K+).
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects, applying strong prospect research and moves management principles to advance relationships toward major gift commitments.
• Continuously analyze donor insights and engagement trends to inform cultivation strategies and maximize fundraising outcomes.

Donor Engagement & Solicitation

• Lead direct, face-to-face donor solicitations and engagement opportunities, building authentic, long-term relationships with major partners.
• Provide thoughtful stewardship to both existing and prospective individual major donors, ensuring meaningful and personalized engagement experiences.
• Partner with legacy giving initiatives to identify and secure planned giving opportunities with long-term supporters.

Internal Collaboration & Leadership Engagement

• Foster strong collaboration with World Relief California's executive and programmatic leadership to align fundraising priorities and donor engagement strategies.
• In partnership with the local advancement team, provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and guidance on donor communications.
• Serve as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure cohesive and effective engagement.

Fundraising Communications & Materials Development

• Develop high-quality donor-facing materials, including proposals, solicitation packages, investment decks, and stewardship reports.
• Prepare tailored meeting materials and communications that effectively convey organizational impact and inspire philanthropic investment.

Data Management, Reporting & Operations

• Utilize the donor database (CRM) to track, manage, and optimize donor and prospect activity, ensuring accurate portfolio management.
• Monitor progress toward individual fundraising goals and maintain timely, accurate reporting to support pipeline visibility and year-end revenue forecasting.
• Maintain current, detailed, and organized records for all donor interactions and relationships.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Mature and personal Christian faith
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
• Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• At least 8-10 years of experience in fundraising, with 3-5 years of specific experience in cultivating individual gifts.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with proven track record of preaching that moves to action
• Willingness to work with a wide variety of church denominations and theological positions
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office 365 suite, databases and report generation
• Travel up to 25% domestically

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong planning skills and the ability to multi-task;
• Outstanding human relations and managerial skills;
• Demonstrative initiative; the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Raiser's Edge or other fundraising database.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass a MVR

$79,241.58 - $86,423.04 a year

World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and employee discount program for full-time, Regular, employees.

World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health.

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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

For World Relief staff, strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief is essential, and Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based upon United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.