Major Gifts Officer

*This position is eligible for remote work within the United States. The posted salary range reflects the compensation established under the organization's compensation structure for positions based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Compensation for remote employees may vary based on the employee's primary work location, applicable laws, and other relevant factors.*

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that demonstrates God's love and compassion. ADRA works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change through empowering partnerships and responsible action.

ADRA International is a religiously qualified Equal Opportunity Employer under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. As such we have the right to prefer a member of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church in the hiring process. In the event that a qualified SDA candidate is not found, we will give the opportunity to candidates who must understand, respect and honor the mission, purpose, and identity of ADRA International

SUMMARY

The Major Gifts Officer plays a pivotal role in advancing ADRA's global humanitarian mission by cultivating meaningful relationships with high-capacity donors who are passionate about creating long-term impact through philanthropy. This role is responsible for maintaining and increasing funding from high-net-worth individuals through effective identification, cultivation, and solicitation. They will focus on identifying and deepening relationships with individuals. The Officer will work closely with senior development leadership and the President to develop and implement strategies for building individual major gift donor relationships to meet the short and long-term goals of the department. The Major Gifts Officer will maintain a firm understanding of donor interests, passions, and values.

OUTCOMES

• Consistent growth in major gift revenue through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-capacity individual donors.
• A well-managed and actively cultivated portfolio of qualified major gift prospects capable of giving $10,000 or more.
• Increased donor retention, upgrade rates, and multi-year commitments within the assigned portfolio.
• Strategic use of moves management and CRM systems to track donor engagement, forecast revenue, and document relationship activity.
• High-quality, personalized proposals and donor communications aligned with donor interests, passions, and philanthropic goals.
• Meaningful and consistent donor engagement through in-person meetings, events, mission trips, and stewardship touchpoints.
• Reliable achievement or exceedance of annually established fundraising goals.
• Strengthened donor confidence and trust in ADRA through responsive communication, transparency, and impact reporting.
• Expanded pipeline of new qualified major gift prospects through research, networking, and referral development.
• Enhanced collaboration across Marketing and Development, and Programs teams to align funding opportunities with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Improved forecasting accuracy and portfolio accountability through consistent reporting and data integrity within development systems.

PRE-REQUISITES

Required

• Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, business, or communications.
• Nonprofit fundraising experience, major gift experience preferred.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding goals, preferably managing a major gifts portfolio.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Demonstrated ability to persuade others.
• Ability to manage high-level confidential information with integrity and sensitivity
• Proficient in multi-tasking, meeting deadlines, and working with minimal supervision.
• Strong writing, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills.
• Experience with constituent relationship management systems.
• Attention to detail and strong project management skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Professional attitude and appearance.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Persuading and Influencing - Makes a strong personal impression on others; gains clear agreement and commitment from others.
• Presenting and Communicating Information - Speaks clearly and fluently; expresses opinions, information, and key points of an argument clearly.
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Works strategically to realize organizational goals; sets and develops strategies.
• Adapting and Responding to Change - Adapts to changing circumstances; accepts new ideas and change initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Functional Responsibilities

1. Act as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of donors who have the capacity to give gifts of $10,000 or greater.
2. Identify and research a portfolio of potential individual donors targeted for upgrade or renewal.
3. Assist in the identification of potential leadership volunteers.
4. Design and implement effective tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans for donor prospects in assigned portfolio, utilizing a moves management approach (from the identification/qualification phase to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship phases, while reporting and tracking progress).
5. Write proposals, introductory and follow-up letters, and prepare background information and materials for cultivation and solicitation activities as needed.
6. Present regular updates and other information on the portfolio of donors.
7. Partner with Senior Development leadership and/or volunteers in making solicitations.
8. Leverage ADRA's President for cultivation, stewardship and solicitation, as appropriate.
9. Plan and implement major donor-related cultivation events and activities, including Mission Trips, gatherings of major donors with ADRA's President, and other organization-wide events.
10. Participate in the development of policies and procedures relating to the major gifts program and marketing materials for the major gift effort.
11. Meet or exceed annually established goals.
12. Other duties as assigned.

TRAVEL

Up to 35% domestic and some limited international travel required.


MENTAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work in a fast-paced and customer service-oriented environment; to perform duties under pressure and meet deadlines in a timely manner; to work as part of a team as well as to complete assignments independently; to take instructions from supervisors; to exercise problem-solving skills; and to interact with co-workers, supervisors, network employees, donors and the public in a professional and pleasant manner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

Person must be able to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation. Incumbent should be in optimal health for difficult and temporary below-basic living conditions at overseas location and for field travel in general.

SAFEGUARDING

ADRA personnel are expected at all times to act to protect the interests of children and vulnerable adults and to prevent the occurrence of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in the course of their duties. This includes ensuring strict compliance with ADRA's Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (PSHEA) Policy and relevant guidelines. Failure to comply with the expectations set out in ADRA's Code of Conduct and policies may lead to disciplinary action or termination of your employment or engagement with ADRA. ADRA personnel are required to undergo relevant background checks and to report any reasonable suspicion of a breach of ADRA Safeguarding policies in which a child, vulnerable adult or other person may be adversely affected (including compliance with mandatory reporting obligations.