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Gifts Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Major Gifts Officer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Development/Major Gifts Officer Date Posted: 7/10/2026 Location: Saint Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, Illinois Date Available: Immediately Major Gifts Officer Saint Ignatius College Prep - Chicago ...

Major Gifts Officer

Saint Paul, MN ยท On-site

$70K - $98K/yr

Position Information Position Title Major Gifts Officer Division Institutional Advancement Department/Office Gift Planning Position Summary Information Advertisement The Institutional Advancement ...

Major Gifts Officer

Saint Paul, MN ยท On-site

$70K - $98K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer raises commitments, major gifts, grants, and sponsorships at the $10K level and above, which contribute to the achievement of the University's major gifts goals each year. The ...

The Major Gifts Officer manages a portfolio of approximately 125175 major-gift prospects and donors, developing personalized strategies that deepen relationships and inspire transformational ...

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Major Gifts Officer

Indianapolis, IN

$68K - $89K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer serves as a key member of the IndyHumane Development Team and is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and growing relationships with major donors and ...

Principal Gifts Officer

Waltham, MA

$77K - $100K/yr

The Principal Gifts Officer (PGO) will be a highly strategic and results-oriented fundraising professional who secures transformational philanthropy to advance Bentley University's most important ...

Major Gifts Officer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Major Gifts Officer Saint Ignatius College Prep - Chicago, IL Job Title: Major Gifts Officer Department: Development Office Reports To: Chief Development Officer FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Status ...

Major Gifts Officer

Lexington, VA ยท On-site

$99K - $118K/yr

Major Gifts Officers (MGO) report to the Director of Leadership Giving and are responsible for being knowledgeable of all donors, alumni, parents, and friends in a defined geographic region, making ...

Major Gifts Officer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$70K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making gifts of $5,000 or more. This position manages relationships with ...

New

Major Gifts Officer

Port Angeles, WA ยท On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Major Gifts Officer Port Angeles Food Bank Reports To: Executive Director FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time Location: Port Angeles, WA Position Summary The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for ...

MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER

Cleveland, TN ยท On-site

$55K - $72K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer is a newly created position at Lee University primarily responsible for fundraising for university priorities from current and prospective major gift donors. The Major Gifts ...

Major Gifts Officer

Missoula, MT ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Major Gifts Officer | Friends of the Children - Western Montana Friends of the Children is a nonprofit that is impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with ...

Major Gifts Officer

Aurora, CO ยท On-site

$86K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors in support of Regis Jesuit's mission, strategic priorities, and ...

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Gifts Officer information

See salary details

$46K

$83.5K

$115K

How much do gifts officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for gifts officer in the United States is $83,546.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $93,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges a gifts officer faces when cultivating relationships with potential donors?

Gifts Officers often encounter challenges such as establishing trust with new donors, balancing a large portfolio of prospects, and personalizing outreach to align with each donor's interests. They must also navigate competing priorities within their institutions and coordinate with various departments to ensure consistent messaging. Building long-term relationships requires persistence, effective communication, and adaptability to evolving donor motivations.

What is a gifts officer?

Gifts Officers, also known as Development Officers or Major Gifts Officers, are fundraising professionals who work for nonprofit organizations, universities, or charities. Their primary role is to build and maintain relationships with donors, especially those capable of making significant financial contributions. They identify potential donors, cultivate relationships, solicit donations, and ensure proper stewardship and acknowledgment of gifts. Gifts Officers often work as part of a development or advancement team to help meet the organization's fundraising goals. Their work is essential for securing the resources needed to support programs and initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gifts officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gifts Officer, you need a background in fundraising, donor relations, and strategic communication, often supported by a degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management databases (such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce), prospect research tools, and CRM systems is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and persuasive communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for building and maintaining donor relationships, securing gifts, and advancing organizational fundraising goals.

How do you become a gifts officer?

To become a gifts officer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, fundraising, or a related field, along with experience in development or fundraising roles. Strong communication, relationship-building skills, and knowledge of donor databases or fundraising software are also important. Some positions may require certification from organizations like the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

What is the difference between Gifts Officer vs Fundraiser?

AspectGifts OfficerFundraiser
Primary RoleSecuring individual donations and managing donor relationshipsPlanning and executing fundraising campaigns and events
Required SkillsDonor cultivation, communication, relationship managementCampaign development, event planning, outreach strategies
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, educational institutionsNonprofits, charities, community organizations

While both roles focus on raising funds, a Gifts Officer primarily builds relationships with individual donors to secure gifts, whereas a Fundraiser often manages broader campaigns and events. The Gifts Officer role is more personalized, emphasizing donor stewardship, while Fundraisers handle larger-scale initiatives. Both positions are vital in nonprofit fundraising teams and often overlap in skills and work environment.

More about Gifts Officer jobs
What cities are hiring for Gifts Officer jobs? Cities with the most Gifts Officer job openings:
What states have the most Gifts Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gifts Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Gifts Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,546 per year, or $40.2 per hour.

$103K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Intro/Program Description: Goddard Riverside strives toward a fair and just society where all people can make choices

that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. We are one of New York Cityโ€™s leading human services

organizations with an annual operating budget of approximately $90 million. Our programs serve more than 20,000

people annually, preparing children and youth for success; supporting self-sufficiency; enriching the lives of older

adults; promoting behavioral health; fighting homelessness; and strengthening families and communities.

Purpose of Position: Goddard Riverside is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Major Gifts Officer to help build and

expand our major gifts program at a pivotal moment in the organization's growth. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer,

the Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of 75-100 donors and prospects, deepen engagement with Board members and

key volunteers, and play a leadership role in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of transformational philanthropic

investments. The Major Gifts Officer will develop and execute strategies to increase major gift revenue, strengthen donor

relationships, and support a comprehensive fundraising campaign that advances Goddard Riverside's mission and strategic

priorities. This position is ideal for a relationship-driven fundraiser who thrives on connecting donors with meaningful

opportunities to create impact and who enjoys building systems and strategies in a growing development program.

The successful candidate will be a self-motivated fundraiser who enjoys both independent responsibility and collaborative

partnership. As the organization's dedicated major gifts professional, they will be comfortable taking ownership of donor

strategy and portfolio management while working closely with colleagues across the Development Office and throughout

Goddard Riverside. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled fundraiser to help shape the future of philanthropy at Goddard

Riverside. As the organization invests in expanding its major gifts efforts and prepares for significant fundraising initiatives, the

Major Gifts Officer will play a critical role in building donor relationships and securing the resources necessary to advance our

mission.

Hours: 10:00am to 6:00pm, some evening and morning events

Compensation: $103,000- $115,000