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Gifts Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Damien Center

Major Gifts Officer

Indianapolis, IN

$80K/yr

Major Gifts Officer Donor Relations Team Damien Center Values Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana's oldest and largest AIDS ...

Santa Barbara Zoo

Major Gifts Officer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$38.50/hr

The Santa Barbara Zoo is hiring a Major Gifts Officer to lead major gift fundraising efforts that support conservation, education, and the Zoo's strategic priorities. Position Status: Full-Time, ...

Planned Parenthood

Major Gifts Officer

Gainesville, FL · Remote

$100K/yr

Major Gifts Officer - Make an Impact If you love the idea of making an impact on your community with a strong mission oriented organization, we want to hear from you. Planned Parenthood of Florida is ...

Damien Center

Major Gifts Officer

Indianapolis, IN

$80K/yr

Major Gifts Officer Donor Relations Team Damien Center Values Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana's oldest and largest AIDS ...

National Ability Center

Major Gifts Officer

Park City, UT · Hybrid

$75K - $97K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to secure significant financial contributions for the National Ability Center. This ...

New York Public Radio

Major Gifts Officer

New York, NY

$85K - $95K/yr

Major Gifts Officer New York Public Radio - home to WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, and The Jerome L. Greene Space - is seeking a Major Gifts Officer. The Major Gifts Officer is a front-line fundraiser on ...

Lawrence Hall

Major Gifts Officer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$87K - $92K/yr

About the RoleThe Major Gifts Officer is a member of the Development Department and reports directly to the Vice President of Development. This position is responsible for building and managing a ...

Planned Parenthood

Major Gifts Officer

Gainesville, FL · Remote

$100K/yr

Major Gifts Officer - Make an Impact If you love the idea of making an impact on your community with a strong mission oriented organization, we want to hear from you. Planned Parenthood of Florida is ...

National Ability Center

Major Gifts Officer

Park City, UT · Hybrid

$75K - $97K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to secure significant financial contributions for the National Ability Center. This ...

Lawrence Hall

Major Gifts Officer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$87K - $92K/yr

About the Role The Major Gifts Officer is a member of the Development Department and reports directly to the Vice President of Development. This position is responsible for building and managing a ...

National Ability Center

Major Gifts Officer

Park City, UT · On-site

$75K - $97K/yr

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to secure significant financial contributions for the National Ability Center. This ...

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Gifts Officer information

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$46K

$83.5K

$115K

How much do gifts officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 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 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.

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 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.

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).
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Cities with the most Gifts Officer job openings:

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States with the most job openings for Gifts Officer jobs include:

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Gifts Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gifts Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,546 per year, or $40.2 per hour.

Major Gifts Officer

Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis

Lake Saint Louis, MO • On-site

$68K - $88K/yr

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Variety the Children's Charity of Saint Louis
Major Gifts Officer
Are you energized by building meaningful relationships and inspired by the power of philanthropy to transform lives? Do you thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment where creativity, initiative, and authentic connection are valued? Are you excited by the opportunity to introduce new supporters to a cause that is redefining what's possible for children with disabilities in our community?
Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis (Variety) is seeking a talented and relationship-driven Major Gifts Officer to help advance our mission by cultivating meaningful partnerships with donors, community leaders, and philanthropic champions. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser who enjoys connecting people to purpose, building long-term relationships, and helping drive transformational impact for local children and families.
About Variety
Variety is a catalyst for transformative change in the lives of local children with disabilities, providing critical medical equipment, therapies, and innovative recreation and performing arts programs. Every relationship you cultivate helps us reimagine children's abilities and expand what's possible for their futures.
Position Overview: The Major Gifts Officer plays a key role in strengthening and growing the relationships that fuel Variety's impact. Working closely with the Director of Development and a dedicated development team, this position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors ($10,000+) while creating meaningful opportunities for supporters to engage with our mission.
This is a highly relational fundraising role focused on strategic donor acquisition, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Success in this position is built on developing authentic connections, inspiring philanthropic investment, and expanding Variety's network of passionate supporters. While the role will participate in select donor engagement activities and events, its primary focus is relationship-based fundraising rather than event management.
The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, contribute to fundraising strategy, support planned giving efforts, and supervise one development team member while helping advance the organization's overall fundraising goals.
Key Responsibilities
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 125 major gift donors ($10,000+) and prospects, developing and executing individualized strategies to achieve annual revenue goals.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, foundation, and corporate donors, strengthening engagement through thoughtful relationship management.
  • Support planned giving efforts through proactive donor conversations and collaboration with professional advisors.
  • Work in close collaboration with the Director of Development to advance major gift strategy and overall fundraising priorities.
  • Directly supervise and develop one development team member, setting goals, monitoring performance, and supporting professional growth.
  • Collaborate with development team members, board members, and volunteers to execute donor strategies, campaigns, events, and engagement efforts.
  • Participate in special projects, campaigns, and fundraising initiatives as needed to support organizational goals.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum three years of experience in major gift fundraising.
  • Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts, including gifts in the six-figure range.
  • Experience managing a donor portfolio and achieving annual fundraising goals through strategic moves management.
  • Knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices.
  • Familiarity in the St. Louis philanthropic community.
  • Proficiency in donor databases.
  • Exceptional relationship-builder with strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Prospect research and proven track record of identifying and cultivating new donors.
  • Self-motivated, goal-oriented professional with strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
  • Genuine passion for Variety's mission and a commitment to advancing its impact.
Preferred Qualifications
  • CFRE preferred.
  • Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and strategies.
  • Experience working in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.
Schedule & Location
This is a full-time (40 hours/week), primarily on-site position based at Variety's office near Westport Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends as needed.
If you are passionate about building meaningful relationships and leveraging philanthropy to create lasting change, we invite you to apply and help us expand what's possible for children with disabilities and their families across our community.

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