Major Gift Officer Sample Job Description

As our Major Gifts Officer you will design, develop and implement our major gift program. You’ll be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects, as well as identifying new prospects. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key. You’ll be expected to energize team members, persuade prospects and persevere to the end.

As our manager of the major gift program, you get to

• Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization
• Secure major gifts at the $x to $x level with the goal of raising $x annually
  
• Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database and wealth screening tools
• Manage existing portfolio of x# donors and prospects
• Work with the development department to align efforts and set goals
• Create and implement moves management plans
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the board and other staff with their solicitation (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications)
• Acknowledge major donors through public and private recognition
• Track and report progress using specific metrics

This job might be for you if

• People have asked if your middle name is “Fundraise.” You’re a true people person with an outgoing nature. You’re a self-starter and are driven by results.

• You have at least x# of years of nonprofit fundraising experience and have shown an ability to secure individual and major gifts and meet objectives. You make donors feel valued because you’re sensitive to their needs.

• You are comfortable using a donor database, prospect research and other wealth screening tools to aid in your moves management process.

• You can make and keep friends. You establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.

• You have honed your writing and speaking skills and use them to compel individuals to action.

• You aren’t someone who spends a lot of time in the weeds, but you know donors expect you to be organized, prepared, detail-oriented and to follow through on promises.
  

• People are inspired by your determination. You bring people in line with a vision and motivate them to reach goals.

Physical prowess not required

You won’t need the endurance of a stallion, but you will have some light physical demands (i.e. spending hours listening and talking; working on the computer and phone; driving to appointments and events; and occasionally working long days, nights or weekends).

More Sample Job Description Templates

• Development Director
• Communications Director
• Communications Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator

Steven Shattuck is the Director of Engagement at Capital Campaign Pro. A recognized thought-leader in the nonprofit sector, he has over 15 years of experience advising nonprofits on donor communications, data management, and digital content. Steven Shattuck served as the Chief Engagement Officer at Bloomerang for 10 years. A prolific writer and speaker, Steven contributed to “Fundraising Principles and Practice: Second Edition.” He also supports the Association of Fundraising Professional's Fundraising Effectiveness Project, serves as an AFP Center for Fundraising Innovation (CFI) committee member, and sits on the faculty of the Institute for Charitable Giving. He is the author of Robots Make Bad Fundraisers - How Nonprofits Can Maintain the Heart in the Digital Age, published by Bold and Bright Media (2020). You can find Steven Shattuck on LinkedIn

Bloomerang is the community-focused nonprofit donor management software built to deliver a better giving experience and help organizations thrive.