Major Gifts Officer Job Description

The major gifts officer is in charge of soliciting large donations for a nonprofit.

The major gifts officer is usually a staff-level employee who works with other fundraisers and board members to solicit major gifts.

This officer works closely with the executive director and CEO.

The primary responsibility of a major gifts officer is to solicit donations from potential donors, such as foundation and individual donors.

Major gifts are often the largest gift a nonprofit receives, and major gifts officers have the responsibility of soliciting these donations.

Job Brief:

We’re looking for a Major Gifts Officer who is passionate about our mission and who has the skills to cultivate and solicit major gifts from individual donors. The Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for managing a portfolio of major donors and prospects, developing and implementing strategies to engage and cultivate donors, and soliciting gifts.

Major Gifts Officer Duties:

• Develop solicitation strategies, lead gift research, and cultivate relationships with prospective donors
• Assist with budgetary and annual planning
• Develop and oversee individual giving programs
• Understand the organization’s fundraising goals and objectives
• Manage major gift programs
• Oversee gift processing
• Develop and oversee volunteer programs
• Develop and encourage relationships
• Mine major gift prospects for information about their motivations, interests, and passions
• Develop proposals and presentation materials
• Create and maintain databases for prospects, donors, volunteers, and others
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee special events
• Develop and organize donor recognition programs
• Provide support to the board
• Strong public speaking skills, ability to engage and persuade others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A proven track record of cultivating major gift relationships

Major Gifts Officer Responsibilities:

• Create, implement, maintain, and administer a major gifts program
• Oversee, manage, and report all fundraising and development activities
• Manage, motivate, and lead a high-performing team
• Oversee and direct all fundraising and administrative functions in the call center including gift processing, database management, donor communications, and donor relations
• Develop and implement retention, acquisition, and stewardship plans and programs
• Close gifts in accordance with donor expectations and goals, and in compliance with all IRS and 501(c)3 regulations
• Support marketing and administrative initiatives
• Track, report, and research individual, corporate, and foundation giving trends
• Partner with the development coordinator to determine systems, processes, and procedures
• Develop and execute an annual plan for the major gifts program

Requirements And Skills:

• Master’s degree in fundraising or a related field
• 3+ years’ proven experience soliciting major gifts from philanthropists
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Proven ability to recruit, train, supervise, and motivate a team of development associates

At [Company Name], we celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive team. We encourage applications from people of all races, religions, national origins, genders, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities.