Major Gifts Specialist

Location: This position can be based out of any of our service area hubs (Concord, Manchester, Portsmouth, Ossipee, Berlin, Littleton, Upper Valley area) with approximately 30–40% local/regional travel throughout the GUW footprint.

INTRO TO GRANITE UNITED WAY:

Granite United Way’s Vision is to be the preferred way for people to work together to build a community that values its collective responsibility to care for one another. All employees at Granite United Way are integral to achieving our mission, operating under five core values: We are respectful, accountable, community-centered, collaborative, and curious.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

We are seeking a dynamic fundraising professional to grow our leadership giving and major gift programming. This role is an ideal opportunity for a strategic relationship builder with a passion for philanthropy and community impact. As a key member of our Engagement team, you will cultivate and steward major donors, expand planned giving opportunities, and partner with organizational leaders to secure transformational investments that advance Granite United Way's mission and long‑term sustainability.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:

• Bring fundraising experience securing $25K+ gifts
• Thrive on building meaningful donor relationships
• Be a strategic relationship builder
• Feel confident partnering with executive and volunteer leaders
• Bring curiosity and confidence to planned giving, prospect research, data, and fundraising strategy

If you have any or all of these traits, !

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Major Gifts (40%)

• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and donors.
• Secure leadership‑level philanthropic investments, including six‑figure commitments and multi‑year gifts.
• Conduct regular in‑person donor visits and meaningful engagement activities.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, networking, and data analytics.
• Develop compelling proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship plans.

Planned Giving (20%)

• Support development of Granite United Way's Planned Giving Program and Legacy Society.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward planned giving prospects.
• Educate donors regarding charitable estate planning options including bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.
• Work collaboratively with donors and their professional advisors.
• Maintain accurate planned gift documentation and future revenue projections within the CRM.
• Work with marketing leads on strategies and content to develop marketing and stewardship strategies to increase awareness and participation in planned giving.

Strategy, Planning & Analytics (15%)

• Partner with the Vice President of Engagement to establish annual individual fundraising goals.
• Develop strategies to grow and reenergize major gift programs to reach new donors as well as existing major donors.
• Utilize CRM reporting, donor analytics, and prospect research to guide fundraising strategy.
• Develop and manage donor moves management processes.
• Monitor individual fundraising performance and provide regular revenue forecasts and reports.
• Evaluate fundraising trends and recommend strategic improvements.

Leadership & Staff Development (10%)

Foster collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• Support organization‑wide major gift best practices.
• Assist with advancement of mid‑level donors into major gift portfolios.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Executive Support (15%)

• Partner with Community Impact, Finance, Marketing, and Donor Engagement staff to align fundraising opportunities with organizational priorities.

SCHEDULE:

Typical schedule is Monday through Friday during normal business hours 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM, with flexibility required for donor meetings, community events, and occasional evening and weekend activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Experience managing complex donor portfolios and moves management strategies.
• Experience working collaboratively with executive leadership and volunteer leaders.

Preferred

• Certified Fund‑Raising Executive (CFRE) designation.
• Experience with planned giving or charitable estate planning.
• Knowledge of charitable gift planning principles.
• Experience using Salesforce or comparable donor CRM systems.
• Strong analytical and prospect research skills.

WHY WORK AT GRANITE UNITED WAY?

Granite United Way is committed to developing a stronger, healthier workplace and community that benefits all people. Our purpose‑driven culture is complemented by a comprehensive compensation package that includes:

• 12 Paid Holidays & Generous PTO
• 403(B) Retirement Plan, 5% match
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• SmithRX Prescription Savings
• Flexible Savings Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance Discounts
• Long Term Disability and AD&D 100% employer paid
• Life Insurance 100% employer paid
• Voluntary Short‑term Disability Option

Granite United Way is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Recovery Friendly Workplace, and we value the leadership and contributions that individuals with lived experience bring to the workplace, to community health improvement, and to strengthening systems of care.