Major Gifts Officer

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 150–200 donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $1,000 or more. The MGO also plays a key role in supporting Simpson’s 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 150–200 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 department’s 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 3–5 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 Team’s 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 Raiser’s Edge or other development data system.

Desired Experience

• Demonstrated experience with Giveffect, Blackbaud Raiser’s 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.