MAJOR GIFTS SPECIALIST

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Specialist is responsible for growing and managing a portfolio of HNW individual donors giving significant annual contributions, including board members. This role builds strong donor relationships through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, with a goal of increasing donor engagement and lifetime value. They partner closely with the CEO, Advancement leadership, and board members to develop customized giving strategies and ensure sustained support for GrowNYC’s mission.

Requirements

• Portfolio Development and Solicitation
  • Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 current and prospective major donors.
  • Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation plans, leveraging donor interests and GrowNYC priorities.
  • Partner with CEO and senior staff on high-level solicitations.
  • Conduct at least 10–12 substantive donor touchpoints monthly, including visits, calls, and proposals.
  • Prepare briefing memos, follow-up letters, and personalized acknowledgments.
  • Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities by conducting in-depth prospect research, analyzing donor data, and uncovering potential individuals donors.
• Stewardship and Engagement
  • Create personalized stewardship communications, including impact updates, insider briefings, and donor spotlights.
  • Ensure appropriate donor recognition and long-term retention strategy.
  • Collaborate with the board of directors and gala host committee members to secure individual ticket and table purchases, and lead stewardship and cultivation of gala guests.
• Collaboration and Systems Management
  • Collaborate with the Individual Giving Lead to identify and graduate annual donors into the major giving pipeline.
  • Collaborate with the Institutional Partnership Specialist to identify existing corporate donors for personal/major giving development.
  • Maintain accurate donor records and activity tracking in Raiser’s Edge.
  • Participate in strategic planning around donor relations, board giving, and leadership engagement.
• Board Management
  • Build rapport with existing and new members of the Board.
  • Engage with relevant Board members to channel and pursue opportunities with prospect donors.
• Collaborative Spirit and Problem-Solving
  • Collaborate with the Individual Giving Lead to identify and graduate annual donors into the major giving pipeline.
  • Collaborate with the Institutional Partnership Specialist to identify existing corporate donors for personal/major giving development.
  • Maintain accurate donor records and activity tracking in Raiser’s Edge.
  • Participate in strategic planning around donor relations, board giving, and leadership engagement.
• Commitment to GrowNYC’s Mission and Values
  • A demonstrated understanding of equity and inclusion.
  • Comfortable representing GrowNYC externally with professionalism, clarity, and purpose.
• Additional Eligibility Requirements
  • The ability to be seated for long periods of time.
  • Schedule: The position will be expected to work primarily Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, 35-40 hours per week, on-site at GrowNYC’s office in downtown Manhattan (three days). In-office presence is required every Wednesday. Occasional off site work may be required, including evening or weekend availability, for fundraising events and donor tours.

Qualifications

• Professional fundraising certification Required (CFRE, CAP®, AFP training, or equivalent)
• At least 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a strong focus on individual donor cultivation and stewardship
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding high five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors
• Excellent relationship-building and donor management skills, including comfort engaging high-net-worth individuals
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, tailored proposals and donor materials
• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage complex relationships, move multiple projects forward, and prioritize effectively
• High level of attention to detail, follow-through, and organizational skills
• Familiarity with fundraising databases and tools (Raiser’s Edge or equivalent)
• Collaborative spirit, proactive problem-solver, and emotionally intelligent team member
• Comfortable representing GrowNYC externally with professionalism, clarity, and purpose
• Commitment to GrowNYC’s mission and values, including a demonstrated understanding of equity and inclusion
• Proven capacity for conducting “cold calls” and performing various outreach initiatives to engage potential leads

Compensation

The position is an exempt, full-time salaried position. It pays $90,000 - $95,000 and includes full benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, incentive savings plan, paid time off, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and potential for parental leave for full-time regular employees who have been employed with GrowNYC for 175 days and FSA programs).

Location

GrowNYC’s main office is located in downtown Manhattan. Compensation this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $90,000.00 - $95,000.00