Major Gifts Officer

About the role

Position Overview
As a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Development team, the Major Gifts Officer secures outright, multi-year, and planned gift commitments from individual donors at the $25,000+ level. Reporting to the Senior Director of Major Gifts, this position works closely with the Chief Development Officer, Board and volunteer leadership, and the Nicholas President & CEO to achieve annual fundraising goals and strengthen BGCB’s pipeline of major donors.

The Major Gifts Officer plays a key role in advancing BGCB’s ambitious revenue growth goals as part of the Imagine Invest Ignite Campaign, the most ambitious philanthropic investment in BGCB’s 130-year history. By building meaningful relationships with donors and prospects, developing personalized engagement strategies, and communicating the impact of BGCB’s mission and programs, this role will help advance this $200 million effort to fund a powerful future for Boston’s young people.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125 major gift donors and prospects, with a focus on securing gifts of $50,000 and above.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and engagement strategies that deepen donor relationships and increase philanthropic support.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective donors through proactive outreach, relationship management, and strategic moves management.
• Identify opportunities for outright, multi-year and planned gifts that align donor interests with BGCB priorities.
• Conduct at least 100 donor visits or meaningful contacts annually, including engagement with at least 10 new-to-BGCB donors or prospects each year.
• Partner with senior leadership and Board members to advance gift strategies and identify a strong pipeline of new major gift donors and prospects.
• Build authentic and lasting relationships with donors, prospects, volunteers and community stakeholders.
• Create thoughtful and personalized donor experiences through meetings, Club visits, events, proposals, stewardship and personalized follow-up communications.
• Represent BGCB professionally and enthusiastically at donor meetings, Club activities, fundraising events and community engagements.
• Partner collaboratively with Development colleagues to coordinate donor engagement opportunities and ensure consistent relationship management.

Communication and Fundraising Execution

• Prepare compelling written materials including donor correspondence, proposals, briefing documents, stewardship reports, gift agreements and pledge documentation.
• Communicate a consistent and inspiring case for support that reflects BGCB’s mission, priorities and impact.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports and moves management activity in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Monitor and track portfolio activity, fundraising progress and revenue projections.
• Support acknowledgement and stewardship processes to ensure donors receive timely and meaningful recognition.

Collaboration and Organizational Partnership

• Work closely with the Senior Director of Major Gifts, Chief Development Officer, and Development team to support organization-wide fundraising goals.
• Partner with colleagues across Annual Giving, Corporate Giving and Event Fundraising to build collaborative relationships and strengthen major gift donor engagement and strategy.
• Collaborate with the communications, donor relations, and events teams to align donor interests, major gift strategy and engagement efforts.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, mission-driven and team-oriented culture.

Systems, Planning, and Accountability

• Support effective donor tracking, reporting, and moves management processes in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Utilize fundraising data and donor insights to inform strategic decision-making and relationship management.
• Maintain strong organizational skills and attention to detail while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrate accountability for fundraising activity, donor engagement goals, and revenue outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of major gifts and direct solicitation experience.
• Experience managing donor portfolios, including implementing cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with donors, volunteers and senior leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with fundraising databases; Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred.
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and strategies.
• Ability and willingness to work select early mornings and evenings as needed.
• Commitment to BGCB’s mission and values.