Major Gifts Officer

About the role

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) at Mount Auburn Cemetery reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and works closely with the President, Executive Leadership Team, and members of the Board of Trustees to advance the cemetery's philanthropic priorities. The MGO is responsible for raising funds from individuals, families, and family foundations through a strategic relationship-based fundraising program.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 current and prospective major donors using a disciplined moves management process to advance prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct a minimum of 120–150 donor visits annually and develop individualized strategies to deepen donor engagement and philanthropic investment.
• Complete 20–30 major gift solicitations annually and meet or exceed annual fundraising goals established in collaboration with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
• Partner with the President, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop donor engagement plans and prepare prospect briefings, strategy memos, meeting materials, and follow-up actions for leadership and volunteer fundraising partners.
• Utilize prospect research, relationship mapping, donor analytics, and wealth screening tools to identify new major gift opportunities and strengthen donor strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to develop compelling funding opportunities, proposals, and cases for support aligned with Mount Auburn's strategic priorities.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, proposals, and next steps within the donor database to support effective portfolio management and institutional knowledge.
• Contribute to the continued growth and maturation of Mount Auburn's major gifts and planned giving programs by identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, and donor engagement strategies.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.
• A minimum of 5 years’ progressive experience in a development office and an understanding and initial mastery of Major Gift strategies.
• Previous experience with a CRM, or similar database and internet research required; familiarity with Blackbaud Altru desirable but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work with the public and to coordinate complex tasks.
• Excellent communication skills, in person, in writing, via telephone or other computer or other electronic media.
• Dependable, punctual, and articulate.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and creative as work demands change.
• Must be able to work evenings and/or weekends for donor events as needed.
• Must have a driver's license valid in Massachusetts.