Major Gift Officer, Corporate

Strongward is a long-term disaster recovery organization. We exist to transform disaster from tragedy to strength, equipping hardest-hit homeowners and communities with the capacity to emerge stronger than before. Our services are currently offered across eight states in the South, with active rebuilding sites in New Orleans and communities across Florida. Safe Homes: We partner with disaster-impacted homeowners to rebuild homes, restore stability, and create a path forward through our Recovery Services. We help families return home faster, and we strengthen their homes against the next storm. We provide hands-on support in navigating and appealing disaster funding decisions that shape the recovery of hardest-hit homeowners with the fewest resources. Stronger Communities: Through our Advisory Services, we help under-resourced, high-risk communities build local capacity before and after disaster. Our team of subject-matter experts and Resilience Fellows provides training, consulting, and hands-on support so local leaders can build knowledge and recovery systems that stay in place long after outside support ends. Joining Strongward is more than just joining a workforce. Many organizations focus on the immediate aftermath, when attention and funding peak. Strongward is one of the few disaster recovery organizations built specifically for the long aftermath. We work in the silence after the cameras leave, and we stay until the work is done. Position Summary The Major Gifts Officer, Corporate Giving is a frontline fundraising role responsible for building, growing, and stewarding corporate partnerships that advance Strongward's disaster recovery and resilience mission. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Giving, this position manages a portfolio of corporate donors and prospects, develops mission-aligned partnership opportunities, and helps drive revenue growth through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This role requires a strategic, relationship-centered fundraiser who can engage corporate leaders, CSR teams, employee engagement programs, and corporate foundations with professionalism and credibility. The Major Gifts Officer develops compelling proposals, sponsorship packages, and engagement strategies; collaborates across teams to align partnership commitments with organizational priorities; and represents Strongward externally to expand visibility, trust, and philanthropic support. Key Responsibilities and Duties Corporate Fundraising and Relationship Management Manage and grow a portfolio of corporate donors and prospects to achieve annual fundraising goals and strengthen long-term philanthropic partnerships. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners through all stages of the donor lifecycle. Develop customized engagement, sponsorship, employee giving, and volunteer opportunities that align corporate philanthropic priorities with Strongward's mission and strategic initiatives. Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate leaders, CSR teams, employee engagement programs, and corporate foundations. Support the development of multi-year and transformational corporate partnerships that expand revenue, visibility, and mission impact. Strategy, Proposals, and Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with the Director of Institutional Giving to execute Strongward's corporate and institutional fundraising strategy. Prepare compelling proposals, sponsorship packages, presentations, reports, and stewardship materials tailored to corporate audiences. Collaborate with programs, finance, marketing and communications, and executive leadership to identify partnership opportunities and develop donor-centered engagement strategies. Work with internal stakeholders to ensure timely fulfillment of partnership commitments, reporting requirements, recognition benefits, and stewardship activities. Pipeline Development, Portfolio Management, and External Engagement Conduct prospect research and actively identify new corporate funding, sponsorship, employee engagement, and strategic partnership opportunities. Maintain accurate records of donor engagement, pipeline activity, revenue projections, next steps, and stewardship actions in the CRM system. Track progress toward fundraising goals and regularly report on portfolio performance, partnership activity, and emerging opportunities. Monitor trends in corporate philanthropy, CSR, ESG, employee engagement, and disaster-related giving to inform outreach and partnership development. Represent Strongward externally at meetings, events, conferences, and networking opportunities to strengthen visibility and partnerships. Requirements and Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree required; degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education, professional training, and directly related fundraising, sales, or partnership experience may be considered. Work Experience Minimum of five to seven years of fundraising, corporate partnerships, business development, sponsorship sales, account management, or related relationship-based revenue experience. Demonstrated success managing donor, client, or partner relationships and achieving revenue goals through cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, stewardship, or renewal. Experience securing and stewarding corporate philanthropic partnerships, sponsorships, CSR relationships, employee engagement opportunities, or corporate foundation support preferred. Experience developing proposals, sponsorship packages, presentations, donor reports, or partner-facing communications. Experience working in a mission-driven, nonprofit, disaster recovery, community development, resilience, housing, or service-oriented environment preferred. Technical Skills and Proficiency Proficiency with CRM systems, donor databases, and moves management tools; Salesforce or Raiser's Edge experience preferred. Strong ability to maintain accurate donor records, track pipeline activity, manage next steps, and use fundraising data to support revenue forecasting and portfolio strategy. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to create polished proposals, sponsorship materials, presentations, reports, and donor communications for corporate audiences. Core Competencies (Soft Skills) Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to cultivate trust and credibility with corporate leaders, CSR teams, donors, colleagues, and external partners. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to connect corporate priorities to Strongward's mission and impact. Strategic, results-oriented, and entrepreneurial, with the ability to identify opportunities, advance relationships, and meet fundraising goals. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management, follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Collaborative, adaptable, and mission-driven, with sound judgment and a commitment to representing Strongward professionally and authentically. Special Requirements Must be authorized to work in the United States. Must successfully complete required background checks, including criminal history, sex offender registry, state, and FBI checks, as applicable. Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment with regular in-office presence and remote work opportunities. Ability to attend donor meetings, corporate partner events, networking opportunities, staff events, trainings, and occasional evening or weekend commitments as needed. Salary Range: $73,000 - $100,000 Strongward is building a team with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We value fresh perspectives and believe our teams grow stronger when they include different experiences. We adhere to all relevant employment laws and do not discriminate in hiring. By welcoming people from varied backgrounds, we spark new ideas and are better prepared to support the communities we serve. Strongward is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Strongward