Major Gift Officer

About the role

Friends of the Earth is a hard‑hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for four decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. The Membership and Development team fuels this work by deepening supporters' connection to our mission through thoughtful communication and exceptional donor engagement. The Major Gift Officer is a frontline fundraising role focused on building strong donor relationships and strategically advancing mid‑level supporters into major gift giving. Position Summary The Major Gift Officer advances the organization's fundraising goals by building meaningful relationships with donors and helping supporters deepen their philanthropic engagement with the mission. Reporting to the Philanthropy Manager, this position manages a portfolio of approximately 140 donors and prospects, with a primary focus on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals with major gift potential. The Major Gift Officer develops and executes strategic engagement plans that move donors through the giving pipeline, strengthen donor retention and investment, and generate significant philanthropic revenue. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organization, this role aligns donor interests with funding priorities and contributes to the long‑term growth and sustainability of the individual giving program.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 140 donors and prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Secure four‑figure, five‑figure and larger gifts from qualified donors through direct solicitation.
• Manage a portfolio revenue target of approximately $1.4M–$2M.
• Develop and implement individualized engagement plans that deepen donor relationships and increase philanthropic investment.
• Conduct donor meetings, personalized outreach, and stewardship activities that strengthen donor commitment to the organization's mission.
• Maintain accurate portfolio plans, donor records, and engagement strategies to support effective relationship management and fundraising outcomes.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate mid‑level donors with the capacity and inclination to become major gift supporters.
• Build and maintain a sustainable pipeline for future major donors through strategic prospecting and donor engagement.
• Analyze donor interests, engagement patterns, and giving trends to inform cultivation and upgrade strategies.
• Partner with development colleagues to support coordinated donor movement across fundraising programs.
• Partner with program and development staff to connect donor interests with organizational priorities, campaigns, and funding opportunities.
• Contribute donor insights and fundraising intelligence to strengthen organizational fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure coordinated donor engagement, stewardship, and solicitation efforts.
• Support a culture of philanthropy by serving as an informed and strategic fundraising partner across the organization.

Requirements

• Commitment to the organization's mission and environmental advocacy.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience, including at least 3 years focused on major gifts.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Proven success directly securing major gifts and advancing donors through the giving pipeline.
• Experience developing and implementing individualized donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage donors effectively in person and remotely.
• Experience using donor data and engagement insights to inform fundraising strategies and portfolio management.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 30% of the time.

Skills

• Candidates located in or near Washington, DC, New York City, or the San Francisco Bay Area