Major Gifts Officer
About the role
The Major Gifts Officer is a member of the Development Department and reports directly to the Vice President of Development. This position is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of individual donors and private funding sources to support Lawrence Hall's mission and strategic priorities.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on gifts in five to seven figure range, ensuring consistent cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Develop and execute individualized donor strategies, including identification, qualification, engagement, solicitation, and long-term relationship management.
- Partner with the Vice President of Development, senior leadership, and Board members to advance donor relationships and support solicitations.
- Identify and actively pursue new major gift prospects to expand the organization's donor base.
- Prepare compelling proposals, case statements, and donor communications tailored to donor interests and organizational priorities.
- Ensure timely and accurate documentation of donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes in the donor database.
- Lead stewardship efforts, including impact reporting, recognition, and ongoing engagement to deepen donor commitment.
- Make direct meaningful donor interactions and solicitations and support leadership with their solicitations and campaign initiatives, including capital or special fundraising efforts, as assigned.
- Work with CEO and VP of Development to develop donor activity metrics to meet annual fundraising goals.
- Develop and grow Lawrence Hall's planned giving program.
- Donor Engagement & Strategy: Analyze prospect research with a strong command of moves management to strategically cultivate and advance donors toward major gift opportunities. Collaborate with Development team members on integrated fundraising strategies, events, and donor communications. Assist in planning and executing donor cultivation events and engagement opportunities. Provide regular reports on portfolio performance, revenue progress, and pipeline development.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of 5-7+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong emphasis on major gifts and individual giving.
- Demonstrated success in securing five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors.
- Prominent ability to build and manage relationships with high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic partners.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor presentations.
- Experience using donor databases/CRM systems and managing pipelines effectively; Raiser's Edge preferred.
- Proficiency working in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and meet fundraising goals.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally for donor meetings and events.
Qualifications
- Master's or advanced degree
- CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) designation
Skills
- Relationship Building
- Strategic Planning
- Proposal Writing
- Donor Presentations
- Donor Database Management
- Stewardship Efforts
- Donor Engagement
- Integrated Fundraising Strategies
- Event Planning
- Reporting
- Communication
- Microsoft Office Suite
Benefits
Average of 17-25 days of PTO + 9 holidays
Medical insurance - HMO and PPO options
Dental insurance - HMO and PPO options
Vision insurance
401(k) with up to 5% employer match and auto-vesting
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Medical and Dependent Care
Pre-tax Commuter benefits - Parking and Transit
100% employer-paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Children
Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
100% employer- paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counseling and life resources
Wellness Reimbursement Program
Employee Referral Bonus up to $1,500
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for licensed employees
Public Service Loan Forgiveness