Major Gifts Officer

About the role

The Major Gifts Officer, Regional will lead and orchestrate the solicitation of major gifts in the $10,000–$99,999 range, focusing on upgrading donors and strengthening the leadership giving pipeline across markets in the Midwest and South. This role is part of an emerging program that partners closely with local and national stakeholders to advance strong moves management practices and build a sustainable base of major and leadership giving.

Responsibilities

• Lead the solicitation of major gifts in the $10,000–$99,999 range, with an explicit focus on upgrading donors and strengthening the leadership giving pipeline across markets in the Midwest and South.
• Steward a portfolio of 60+ current donors while identifying, qualifying, and cultivating 50+ new prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more, with an emphasis on regions in the Midwest and South.
• Generate leads, especially for emerging markets, based on research, local networks, and local Per Scholas partners to help build and expand the portfolio.
• Contribute to the design and refinement of a major gifts program, helping to establish strategy, processes, and best practices while advancing immediate fundraising outcomes.
• Uphold a disciplined moves management system that ensures accountability, performance tracking, and consistent donor progression; provide regular reporting on portfolio activity and results.
• Partner closely with regionally based development and program teams to engage donors through localized cultivation and stewardship experiences, including campus visits and market-specific events.
• Represent Per Scholas at programmatic and fundraising activities throughout the South and emerging markets in the Midwest.
• Support donors beyond main regions, as new markets are defined or opportunities arise.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of sophisticated major gifts experience with individuals, with a proven track record of building portfolios and closing five- and six-figure gifts. Demonstrated success building and sustaining long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and recurring donors. Understanding of the philanthropic landscape in the South or Midwest a plus. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging senior executives, board members, and institutional leaders. Ability to translate complex programmatic and outcome data into compelling, donor-centered cases for support. Self-directed, strategic thinker with a proven ability to work independently while achieving ambitious fundraising goals. Experience partnering with senior leadership, board members, and cross-functional teams to advance donor relationships. Proficiency with donor and prospect management systems, including Salesforce and iWave (Kindsight). Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of schedule; work occasional evenings or weekends as needed. Personal Characteristics: Thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment; motivated by building and upgrading a donor pipeline, particularly within competitive, high-capacity markets; enjoys building systems and relationships in parallel; comfortable working independently, taking initiative, and managing complexity as an individual contributor; data-informed, results-oriented, and motivated by measurable impact; communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing; detail-oriented, with strong organizational and time-management skills; interested in workforce development, economic mobility, technology, diversity, organizational growth, and scaling impact; stands behind our mission, believing that individuals from any community deserve access to well-paying career positions, and that talent can be recognized and recruited from many sources.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of sophisticated major gifts experience with individuals, with a proven track record of building portfolios and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and recurring donors.
• Understanding of the philanthropic landscape in the South or Midwest a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging senior executives, board members, and institutional leaders.
• Ability to translate complex programmatic and outcome data into compelling, donor-centered cases for support.
• Self-directed, strategic thinker with a proven ability to work independently while achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership, board members, and cross-functional teams to advance donor relationships.
• Proficiency with donor and prospect management systems, including Salesforce and iWave (Kindsight).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of schedule; work occasional evenings or weekends as needed.

Skills

• Data-informed, results-oriented, and motivated by measurable impact.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Interested in workforce development, economic mobility, technology, diversity, organizational growth, and scaling impact.

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive benefits package including holidays & PTO, full-time benefits eligibility, comprehensive medical coverage, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings, EAP, and more. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, employer-paid life and AD&D Insurance, and employee discount programs.

Pay

$110,000 - $130,000/year, where the difference in salary is typically determined by several factors, including geography in which the selected candidate resides, and alignment with qualifications and experience.

Schedule

National travel will be required, with a primary focus on specific campus locations in Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte, NC.