Gift Officer

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Gift Officer position plays a critical role in expanding the organization's major and mid-level gift portfolio by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and corporate donors capable of making meaningful, transformational contributions by moving prospects through a structured pipeline with intentional, face-to-face relationship development. The Gift Officer works in close coordination with the Director of Development and the Development team to deliver a cohesive, donor-centered experience that deepens commitment to NMHFH's mission of affordable homeownership.

COMPENSATION:

The hiring range for this position is $55,203 - $71,240. Candidates who possess all of the skills required for this position will start near the top of the hiring range. We believe in fair, market-informed compensation that recognizes the skills, experience, and contributions each team member brings to our mission. In addition to wages, we value the full employee experience, including benefits and a positive work environment. The posted pay range reflects the anticipated starting range for this position and may be adjusted based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations. The top of the range is not intended to represent the maximum amount this position could earn over time.

BENEFITS:

We care deeply about supporting the people who help carry out our mission, and we are pleased to offer a benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members. Full-time employees receive fully funded health insurance, with a cost-sharing option for covered dependents, as well as dental and vision insurance at a shared cost. Part-time employees have access to health insurance for themselves and covered dependents at a shared cost. In addition, full-time employees receive $50,000 of fully funded life insurance, and we also offer a Simple IRA retirement plan with a 3% company match for all employees to help support long-term financial security.

DESIRED PERSONAL TRAITS:

• A natural relationship-builder who is energized by one-on-one engagement with donors, community leaders, and prospects.
• Confident and comfortable making direct solicitations — asking for the gift is not an afterthought but a core strength.
• Highly self-directed, proactive, and able to manage a complex portfolio of prospects without close day-to-day supervision.
• Emotionally intelligent and perceptive; skilled at listening, reading a room, and meeting donors where they are.
• Disciplined about follow-through, documentation, and portfolio management — details matter in gift work.
• Persuasive and articulate communicator, both verbally and in writing, able to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Genuinely passionate about solving housing insecurity and connecting donors to meaningful, community-rooted impact.
• Collaborative team player who understands that the best donor experience is a coordinated one.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Major & Mid-Level Gift Development (60%):

• Manage an active portfolio of 75–125 major and mid-level gift prospects and donors, with a focus on individuals capable of gifts of $5,000 and above.
• Conduct regular in-person meetings, site visits, and one-on-one engagements to build authentic, long-term donor relationships.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each portfolio donor in collaboration with the Director of Development.
• Prepare and present compelling gift proposals, case statements, and solicitation materials tailored to each donor's interests and capacity.
• Execute timely, personalized asks — in person, by phone, or in writing — aligned with the donor's readiness and relationship stage.
• Provide thoughtful post-gift stewardship, including impact updates, acknowledgment, and engagement activities that reinforce donor connection to the mission.
• Identify new major gift prospects through community engagement, referrals, research, and collaboration with board members and the Director of Development.
• Support planned-giving conversations and help introduce legacy-giving opportunities to the appropriate donor relationships.

Prospect Research & Pipeline Management (20%):

• Conduct and synthesize donor research to assess capacity, affinity, and readiness for major gift conversations.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough records of all prospect interactions, cultivation activities, and solicitation status in the donor database (Bloomerang or equivalent).
• Prepare regular portfolio reports, management updates, and revenue projections for review with the Director of Development.
• Collaborate with the Philanthropy Engagement Manager to identify mid-level annual donors with major gift potential and facilitate warm transitions within the portfolio.
• Monitor donor engagement signals (event attendance, giving history, communications response) to inform strategy and timing.

Community Representation & Stakeholder Engagement (15%):

• Attend community events, business gatherings, civic functions, and networking opportunities to cultivate new relationships and identify prospects for NMHFH.
• Represent the organization confidently and knowledgeably with external audiences, serving as a compelling ambassador for affordable housing in northern Michigan.
• Engage and support board members in their donor outreach, providing briefings, talking points, and coordination as needed.
• Work with the Director of Development to support corporate partnership cultivation, including sponsorships and workplace giving relationships that align with the major gift strategy.

Team Collaboration (5%):

• Partner with the Marketing & Events Manager to leverage events as cultivation and stewardship touchpoints — but with distinct ownership of the personal donor relationship before and after the event.
• Coordinate with the Philanthropy Engagement Manager to ensure consistent messaging and to avoid duplicative outreach to shared donors.
• Participate in department planning, goal-setting, and reporting processes.
• Represent the Development team's major gift work in cross-departmental settings as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, major gifts, or a closely related development role.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and closing major gifts, ideally at the $5,000+ level preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE, CFRM, or enrollment in a related certification program is a plus.
• Proficiency with donor management software (Bloomerang, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar); strong data hygiene discipline.
• Excellent written communication skills — ability to craft compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, impact reports, and donor correspondence.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills; able to engage one-on-one as comfortably as in front of a room.
• Familiarity with philanthropy best practices.
• Experience in affordable housing, community development, or mission-driven nonprofit work is a plus.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Position may involve occasional local travel between work sites and offices.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Willingness to work outside of standard office hours on occasion.
• Due to the nature of affiliate operations, all positions may be subject to credit, background, or random drug screening.
• Must pass a Criminal Background Check (convictions will be reviewed based on the seriousness of the crime; a conviction does not necessarily mean disqualification).
• Must pass a Sexual Offender Check. Being listed will result in automatic disqualification from employment.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Gift Officer works under the direct supervision of the Director of Development and serves as a peer to the Philanthropy Engagement Manager and the Marketing & Events Manager. This position does not have direct supervisory authority over staff but may coordinate with volunteers, event contractors, or outside vendors in the course of donor cultivation and stewardship activities.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Regular local travel for donor meetings, site visits, and community events. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Willingness to work outside of standard office hours on a regular basis, including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Willingness to travel in-state and out-of-state for appropriate training, conferences, and donor meetings.
• Willingness to work outside of standard office hours as needed on a regular basis.
• Willingness to speak publicly to small and large groups.
• Due to the nature of affiliate operations, all affiliate positions may be subject to random credit, background, or drug-use checks.
• Must pass Criminal Background Check (convictions will be reviewed based on the seriousness of the crime, and a conviction does not necessarily mean disqualification).
• Must pass a Sexual Offender Check. Being listed will result in automatic disqualification from employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, work may involve a mix of desk work, donor meetings, event coordination, and occasional physical tasks related to the organization's mission-driven activities. Staff may need to handle light items such as office supplies, files, promotional materials, or event equipment, often weighing less than 40 pounds. This job operates primarily in an office and community-based setting with regular travel.

NOTE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.