Major Gifts Officer

Status: Exempt Position Summary The Major Gifts Officer is a senior member of the Development Department responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making significant philanthropic investments. The position manages a strategic portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, develops individualized engagement plans, and works closely with executive leadership to secure transformational and multi-year support that advances the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with annual and multi-year fundraising goals. Manage a portfolio of approximately 75-150 qualified major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on gifts of $25,000 or more or the threshold established by the organization. Identify, research, qualify, and prioritize new major gift prospects through prospect research, referrals, community engagement, and relationship mapping. Create individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans that reflect each donor’s interests, capacity, relationship, and stage in the giving cycle. Conduct donor meetings, site visits, presentations, briefings, and other meaningful engagement activities with prospective and current supporters. Prepare compelling proposals, case statements, donor briefings, sponsorship requests, impact reports, and other customized fundraising communications. Partner with the CEO, executive leadership, Development Director and other key ambassadors to develop donor strategies, prepare for solicitations, and conduct joint donor visits. Build philanthropic partnerships that support strategic priorities through major, transformational, and multi-year investments. Coordinate high-touch donor stewardship, including timely acknowledgments, impact updates, recognition, and ongoing engagement designed Additional Responsibilities Collaborate with the Development Department, Communications Department, programs and events staff to align donor messaging, funding opportunities, and engagement strategies. Build a major gifts program, soliciting six and seven figure gifts Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, proposal activity, gift information, and next steps in the organization’s donor database. Assist in the development of the organization’s donor database Develop major gift revenue projections, monitor pipeline activity, and report progress against goals and key performance indicators. Support and/or develop donor cultivation events, site tours, briefings, receptions, and other opportunities that deepen relationships with prospects and supporters. Prepare briefing materials for executive leadership and Board members before donor meetings and ensure appropriate follow-up on commitments and action items. Identify planned giving and legacy giving opportunities and coordinate with donors and professional advisors as appropriate. Maintain current knowledge of philanthropic trends, charitable giving strategies, and major gifts best practices, while protecting donor confidentiality and upholding ethical fundraising standards. Represent A New Way of Life at community, philanthropic, and networking events as appropriate and perform other development duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, public administration, marketing, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior-level development leadership experience within a nonprofit organization, including significant experience leading major gifts fundraising, managing principal donor relationships, securing six- and seven-figure gifts, and serving as a strategic partner to the CEO, executive leadership team, and the Board of Directors. Minimum of at least three (3) years in the role of Major Gifts Officer Demonstrated success managing a major gifts portfolio and moving donors through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Proven ability to build trusted relationships with philanthropists, corporate leaders, foundation representatives, community leaders, and other key stakeholders. Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills. Experience using donor management software or CRM platforms and maintaining high standards for data quality, confidentiality, and follow-through. Knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, planned/legacy giving, prospect strategy, and philanthropic trends. Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, work collaboratively across departments, and operate effectively in a mission-driven environment. Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of A New Way of Life. Adept in Communication and Storytelling Ability to operate exhibiting cultural humility, discretion Key Performance Indicators Annual major gift revenue; qualified donor visits and substantive contacts; new prospects identified and qualified; proposals submitted and closed; donor retention and upgrade rates; stewardship activity; pipeline movement; and planned or multi-year commitments secured. Compensation and Benefits Salary: $95,000 – $115,000 annually, DOE NOTE : This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position. Responsibilities may evolve based on A New Way of Life’s organizational needs and growth. The employee may be assigned additional or different responsibilities as organizational needs evolve. Formerly incarcerated individuals or those impacted by the criminal justice or child welfare systems are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr