Major Gift Officer

The Major Gift Officer is a critical member of the Individual Giving team responsible for a collective revenue goal of $15+ million out of a $55+ million Development Department revenue goal. The Major Gift Officer will work to support the Organization’s fundraising strategy to secure individual major gifts of $10,000 and above.

The successful candidate will be highly collaborative and adept at networking and forming relationships, with experience in closing major gifts. This position will serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of approximately 125-150 major gift and planned giving prospects with the capacity to make gifts of at least $10,000 or significant planned gifts by providing personal outreach, engagement, and direct asks for support. They will oversee individual relationships throughout the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycle. This individual will be responsible for annual revenue goals for their portfolio within the Individual Giving team. The candidate should demonstrate a strong command of fundraising principles, including direct solicitation experience, and a proven fundraising track record that includes directly soliciting, negotiating, and closing five-figure gifts and planned gifts. In addition, the role will support and advance key equity, diversity and inclusion efforts in our fundraising.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Major Gift Officer Responsibilities

• Manage a major gift portfolio of 100-125 prospects with a focus on qualification and discovery towards gifts of $10,000+.
• Plan and implement outreach and cultivation activities, to enhance prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward; conduct approximately 50-80 in-person or virtual visits with prospects and donors per year.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of development and GCFD priorities to support donor work, match the interest of prospects/donor
• Collaborate with supervisor and other team members to develop “top prospect” lists based on giving histories, research, and relationship history
• Create individualized relationship action plans for a portfolio of prospects in line with financial goals
• Work with senior management to plan and execute solicitations for major gift donors
• Oversee appropriate recognition opportunities for major donors, which may include special events, targeted print and online publications, or program engagement
• Collaborate with other development team members on cultivation and stewardship activities as needed

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Demonstrated fundraising experience closing gifts of 5-10k + within a non-profit organization, educational institution, or other environment of similar complexity
• Understanding of the Chicago philanthropic landscape
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Highly organized & detailed oriented
• Proficiency in MS Office- Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Development database experience – data entry and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues

Exposure

• General office environment; limited exposure to warehouse environment
• Interacts with GCFD staff, financial donors, volunteers, and the general public
• Local travel depending on events and donor meetings; occasional evening and weekend hours are required

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage

• Employer-paid life and disability insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution

• Generous paid time off

• Parental leave

• On-site gym

• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program

• $250 employee referral bonus