Major Gifts Officer Job Description Template

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Major Gifts Officer to join our non-profit organization. The selected candidate will be responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with major donors in order to secure major gifts.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a major gift program to enable the organization to meet its fundraising goals
Cultivate and manage relationships with major donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations
Research and develop lists of potential major donors
Create and implement strategies for soliciting major gifts
Work closely with the development team to implement planned giving and other fundraising initiatives
Manage major gift prospects through the donor stewardship process to ensure continued support
Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to understand programmatic needs and prioritize funding opportunities
Ensure accurate record-keeping of all donor interactions and gifts in the organization's database
Meet with donors on a regular basis to build relationships and solicit gifts
Collaborate with the communications team to create compelling fundraising materials and donor communications

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
Minimum of 3 years of experience in fundraising or non-profit management, with a focus on major gifts
Proven track record of securing major gifts
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with donors, staff, and volunteers
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience with donor databases and familiarity with fundraising best practices
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently, as well as to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Introduction

Major Gifts Officers play an essential role in fundraising for non-profit organizations. They are responsible for identifying potential major donors, developing relationships with them, and securing significant financial contributions to support the organization's mission. If you are looking for a Major Gifts Officer, it's crucial to create a job posting that attracts qualified and competent candidates.

Job Title and Summary

Begin your job posting with a clear, concise job title that accurately reflects the role you are recruiting for. A standard title for a Major Gifts Officer is "Major Gifts Officer" or "Senior Major Gifts Officer." After the job title, provide a brief summary of the job. The summary should be two to three sentences that describe the primary function and responsibilities of the role.

Example: "ABC Non-Profit is seeking a Senior Major Gifts Officer to join our development team. This position will be responsible for managing a major gifts program, identifying and cultivating major donors, and securing substantial contributions to support the organization's mission."

Key Responsibilities

Provide a detailed description of the responsibilities of the Major Gifts Officer role. Here are some key responsibilities you can include in your job posting:

Develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts program that includes solicitation strategies, donor recognition, and stewardship programs.

Research, identify, and cultivate a portfolio of major donor prospects capable of making significant financial contributions.

Work closely with board members, executives, and other key stakeholders to engage and solicit major donors.

Create and deliver compelling proposals and presentations to potential major donors that connect their interests and passions with the organization's mission.

Effectively track and manage donor information and interactions in the organization's donor management system.

Qualifications and Skills

Provide a list of qualifications and skills necessary for the Major Gifts Officer role. Here are some skills and qualifications you can include in your job posting:

Bachelor's degree in a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.

Five or more years of experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Experience developing and implementing a comprehensive major gifts program that includes prospect research, solicitation strategies, donor recognition, and stewardship programs.

Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including compelling proposal writing and presentation skills.

Strong organizational and project management skills to manage a portfolio of prospects and prioritize their work.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and donor management systems.

Application Instructions

Provide clear instructions on how candidates can apply for the position. Be sure to include information about the application process, such as the deadline for submitting applications, the preferred method of contact, and any additional materials required.

Example: "To apply for the Senior Major Gifts Officer position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to recruiting@abcnonprofit.org by June 30th, 2022. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted."

Conclusion

Creating a Major Gifts Officer job posting takes some effort, but it's worth it to attract qualified and talented candidates. A well-written job posting will not only save you time in the recruitment process, but it will also attract individuals who are passionate about your organization's mission and ready to help you achieve your fundraising goals.

FAQs on creating a Major Gifts Officer job posting

Are you in the process of creating a job posting for a Major Gifts Officer? It’s natural to have questions about what to include, how to word the posting, and what to expect from applicants. Here are some frequently asked questions about creating a Major Gifts Officer job posting:

What qualifications should I include in the job posting?

Education: What level of education is required and what type of degree would be best suited?

Experience: What level of experience do they require, and do they need to have experience in the nonprofit sector?

Skills: What specific skills are needed to be successful in this role?

Attributes: What personality traits or other attributes are important for succeeding in this role?

What should I include in the job description?

The job description should provide a brief overview of the organization and the job duties for which the Major Gifts Officer is responsible. Some important areas to cover in the job description include:

Position Summary: a concise statement of the role they will play and what the job will entail.

Responsibilities: the major tasks and key performance areas (KPIs) that this role will be responsible for achieving.

Qualifications: the skills, education, and experience that the ideal candidate will bring to the role.

Reporting Structure: who this person will be working with and report to within the organization.

What should I include in the job listing’s requirements and qualifications?

Notably, the required qualifications and qualifications are two different things. The former would detail the bare minimum – the attributes and the experience without which an applicant could not be considered for the role. The qualifications should include requirements that would be ideal but not mandatory for someone to excel at the role.

Education: Everyone agrees with an education requirement for this role, but make sure to be precise with regards to what type of education is necessary.

Experience: The role of a Major Gifts Officer requires hands-on experience, so it is very important that the job listing reflects both the years of experience required and the types of roles that would qualify someone for the position.

Skills: Major gift officers must be organized, strategic thinkers who possess a variety of soft and hard skills. Outline required and preferred abilities that would allow the ideal candidate to deal with the role and the environment which the organization operates in.

What are the qualities of an ideal Major Gifts Officer?

The ideal Major Gifts Officer should have several qualities that would make them an excellent candidate for this role, such as:

Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Strategic planning and analytical skills

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Proficiency in fundraising databases and software (e.g., DonorPerfect)

Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, board members and other stakeholders.

Creating a job posting for a Major Gifts Officer can be challenging, but with some careful thought and planning, you can attract the right kind of candidates for your organization.