Major Gifts Officer

Location: Remote with regular travel (East Coast + proximity to a large metropolitan area preferred)

Reports to: Chief Science Officer & Executive Leadership Team, with close working relationship to the Institute and Board

About Trauma Research Foundation

The Trauma Research Foundation is a mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, treatment, and prevention of psychological trauma. Through research, education, convening, and practice-based innovation, TRF works to bridge the gap between science and lived experience, ensuring that trauma-informed approaches are grounded in evidence and accessible to communities worldwide.

TRF is entering a pivotal phase of growth with the launch of the TRF Institute, a research engine designed to place rigorous trauma research at the center of the organization’s long-term impact and sustainability. Philanthropy will be central to making this vision possible.

The Role

TRF is seeking a hands-on, relationship-driven Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to play a central role in advancing the organization’s philanthropic strategy.

This is a portfolio-building role. The successful candidate will cultivate new prospects and establish philanthropic relationships, working closely with TRF leadership to build the foundation of a fundraising and major gifts program from the ground up. This will include establishing processes, organizational procedures, selecting a CRM, and more.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, lead cultivation and solicitation efforts, and work closely with TRF leadership to connect philanthropic partners to the Institute and the wider TRF ecosystem. This is a frontline fundraising role for an experienced development professional who thrives on building deep, long-term relationships with high-profile donors and foundations and who is motivated by mission, meaning, and impact.

The role is both strategic and practical, with a strong emphasis on relationship-building, donor engagement, and compelling storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts Fundraising

• Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 75 – 100 major gift prospects, primarily individuals, with a focus on five- and six-figure gifts and select seven-figure opportunities.
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each donor, aligned with TRF’s mission and priorities.
• Conduct regular donor meetings (virtual and in person), with a strong emphasis on building trust and long-term relationships.
• Actively solicit major gifts in partnership with senior leadership, board members, and key advisors.

Institute-Focused Philanthropy

• Position the TRF Institute as a core philanthropic opportunity, articulating its purpose, structure, and long-term impact to prospective funders.
• Work closely with TRF Institute leadership to translate complex research and program concepts into clear, fundable narratives for donor conversations and proposals.

Strategy and Collaboration

• Partner with the CEO and senior team to shape and refine the organization’s major gifts strategy.
• Collaborate with board members and advisors to leverage networks, support donor engagement, and participate in solicitations where appropriate.
• Coordinate with events and communications colleagues to ensure donor engagement opportunities are thoughtful, aligned, and timely.

Pipeline and Coordination

• Maintain basic contact notes and pipeline records to support forecasting and team coordination.
• Develop methods for measuring KPIs and reporting outcomes to the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, preferably within a nonprofit, research, healthcare, or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and closing five- and six-figure gifts; experience with seven-figure gifts is a strong plus.
• Strong relationship-builder with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Comfortable working directly with senior leaders, board members, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to non-specialist audiences.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable working in a small, entrepreneurial organization. Comfortable establishing a development department and guiding its growth.
• Alignment with TRF’s mission and values, and a genuine interest in trauma research and healing.

Working Style and Values Fit

This role will suit someone who:

• Enjoys being hands-on and personally accountable for fundraising outcomes
• Is thoughtful, emotionally intelligent, and able to work with sensitivity in a trauma-informed context
• Thrives in an organization that is evolving and values initiative, collaboration, and sound judgment over rigid hierarchy

Compensation

Between $120k - $150k. Competitive and commensurate with experience. TRF is committed to building an equitable and sustainable compensation structure.

Why This Role Matters

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the philanthropic future of an organization at a moment of genuine inflection. The Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in building the funding base that allows TRF, and particularly the TRF Institute, to grow into a globally influential force in trauma research and practice.

Application Process

Please submit a resume and statement of interest. Your statement of interest does not need to be a traditional cover letter; we specifically want to understand why you are interested in this position and working with TRF.

If we believe you could be a good fit, we will ask you to interview with key members of our team, including our Research Coordinator and Manager, Chief Science Officer, Executive Leadership Team, and Co-Founders, as applicable.