Major Gifts Officer

Child Focus seeks a highly experienced, mission-connected Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to build and steward meaningful philanthropic partnerships that directly advance outcomes for children and families. This role is ideal for a relational fundraiser who sees major gifts as an act of shared purpose — someone who excels at listening, connecting values to impact, and walking alongside donors over time.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, cultivate new relationships, and collaborate closely with executive leadership to secure transformational philanthropic support. This position plays a critical role in strengthening Child Focus’s long-term sustainability and expanding our impact across the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

Donor Relationship Management & Fundraising

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, with a focus on gifts typically of $10,000+ (or aligned with organizational strategy).
• Create individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies rooted in donor values and program impact.
• Meet face-to-face and virtually with donors, engaging them as true partners in Child Focus’s mission.
• Partner with executive leadership and board members to leverage their potential impact on donor strategy, solicitations, and organizational stewardship,

Strategy & Growth

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new major gift prospects through research, referrals, and mission-aligned engagement.
• Contribute to the development and execution of a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with organizational priorities and equity commitments.
• Collaborate with program staff to translate impact into compelling donor narratives and funding opportunities.
• Support campaign planning and special initiatives as the organization grows.

Stewardship & Systems

• Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship that reflects donor intent and demonstrates meaningful impact.
• Maintain accurate records and reports in the donor database/CRM.
• Track progress toward revenue goals and adjust strategies as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, philanthropy, or related development roles.
• Demonstrated success in securing and stewarding significant philanthropic gifts.
• Deep alignment with Child Focus’s mission and a commitment to equity and child well-being.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership, board members, and colleagues.
• Adept at navigating complex, emotionally grounded mission work with professionalism and empathy.

Preferred

• Experience with fundraising in child welfare, advocacy, social services, or justice-related nonprofits.
• Familiarity with foster care programs or court-involved systems.
• Experience working with boards and senior leadership in donor cultivation.
• Knowledge of New Jersey’s philanthropic landscape.

Compensation & Benefits:

• A mission-driven, values-centered workplace where relationships matter.
• The opportunity to help shape and grow a major gifts program with real impact.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

• Retirement Plan with 3% organization provided match (SIRA)
• Paid Time Off (First year: 10 Vacation, 10 Sick & 15 Public Holidays, plus week off additional in holiday season, plus your birthday off)
• Paid family leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Training & Development
• QSEHRA Health Care Plan
• Flexible schedule
• Professional development assistance
• Eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness program
• Employer paid life insurance