Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $70,000-$75,000 per year
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a key fundraising professional and an integral member of the Simpson Housing Services Advancement team. This role is responsible for managing a robust portfolio of individual donors and generating $1.2 million in private support in the first year. The MGO leads all major gifts and annual fund efforts, focusing on building long-term relationships through effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
The MGO will manage a portfolio of approximately 150200 donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $1,000 or more. The MGO also plays a key role in supporting Simpsons fundraising growth by identifying opportunities to expand donor engagement and retention.
This position calls for a seasoned fundraising professional with a successful track record in donor engagement, relationship management, annual fund planning, and securing philanthropic revenue. The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, and effective at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Strong communication skills, a commitment to racial equity and social justice, and Values Based Fundraising principles are essential.
Key Responsibilities:
Donor Portfolio Management & Solicitation (65%)
- Manage and grow a portfolio of 150200 individual major donors and prospects.
- Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to achieve annual fundraising goals.
- Conduct regular donor meetings (in-person, virtual, phone) to deepen relationships and secure gifts.
- Develop and implement personalized donor engagement strategies and solicitation plans.
- Lead multichannel annual giving efforts including direct mail, email, online giving, and peer-to-peer campaigns.
- Create donor segmentation and communication strategies to improve retention and upgrade giving.
- Write compelling appeals and acknowledgement letters, impact reports, and donor communications.
- Support planned giving, capital, or special campaigns as needed.
Events & Sponsorships (15%)
- Support donor and sponsor engagement for key fundraising events.
- Coordinate donor recognition and cultivation events in collaboration with the advancement team.
- Participate in planning and executing event tasks, as directed by the Director of Advancement and Communications.
Data Management & Collaboration (20%)
- Maintain accurate donor records and track portfolio activity utilizing Giveffect.
- Analyze donor data and performance benchmarks to support departments strategy, deepen donor relationships, and drive year-over-year growth from individual donors.
- Monitor fundraising progress and provide weekly and monthly updates to the Director of Advancement and Communications.
- Collaborate with board members to leverage their networks.
- Support the Executive Director and leadership team in donor engagement, stewardship, and special requests.
- Contribute to team planning, strategy development, and annual fundraising goal setting.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 35 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a strong emphasis on individual giving and major gifts.
- Evolve knowledge of and commitment to equity and anti-racism on an individual level and participate in Advancement and Communications Teams commitment.
- Participate in meetings, trainings, and workshops hosted by SHS about diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and other related topics.
- Excellent customer service and high degree of initiative, attention to detail, and organization/time-management skills; ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines at the same time.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to function well within multiple teams and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals with varied talents, backgrounds, and perspectives.
- Thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented, high-functioning environment.
- Ability to work independently and with excellent judgment, discretion, and sensitivity to confidential matters.
- Ability to remain poised, articulate, and calm under pressure.
- Comfortable with lifting up to 20 pounds and moving items.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and Raisers Edge or other development data system.
Desired Experience
- Demonstrated experience with Giveffect, Blackbaud Raisers Edge/NXT, OneCause, mobile bid apps, or other fundraising platforms.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Strong customer service experience.
- Experience in mission-driven, community-based organizations.
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