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Major Gifts Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Saint Ignatius College Prep

Major Gifts Officer

Chicago, IL · 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 ...

WHYY Inc

Major Gifts Officer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$68K - $89K/yr

About the Role WHYY's Major Gifts team is a high-performing, collaborative, and mission-driven group of 11 individuals that is deeply committed to building meaningful relationships with donors and ...

Wlu

Major Gifts Officer

Lexington, VA · 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 ...

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 ...

IndyHumane

Major Gifts Officer

Indianapolis, IN

$85K - $100K/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 ...

CARE USA

SENIOR MAJOR GIFTS MANAGER

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$62K - $78K/yr

The Senior Major Gifts Manager provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management for a team of Major Gifts Managers, ensuring they are equipped, supported, and accountable for delivering high ...

The Lovett School

Major Gifts Officer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$100K/yr

Job Summary The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for raising philanthropic dollars for The Lovett School. The primary responsibilities are to identify and evaluate prospects, cultivate donors and ...

AltaMed

Major Gifts Officer

Los Angeles, CA

$110K - $138K/yr

Job Overview The Major Gifts Officer plans, directs, and implements programmatic, capital, and endowment fundraising. Exercises considerable judgment in the management and development of fundraising ...

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Major Gifts information

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$40K

$74.5K

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How much do major gifts jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for major gifts in the United States is $74,530.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,500.00 and $82,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Major Gifts vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectMajor GiftsFundraising Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in donor relationsBachelor's degree, experience in event planning or outreach
Work EnvironmentHigh-level donor meetings, personalized outreachEvent planning, campaign support, community engagement
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, educational institutions, healthcareNonprofits, charities, community organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding high-level fundraising rolesEntry to mid-level fundraising roles

Major Gifts professionals focus on securing large donations from high-net-worth individuals through personalized engagement. Fundraising Coordinators support broader fundraising campaigns, organize events, and manage outreach efforts. While both roles are essential in nonprofit fundraising, Major Gifts roles typically involve more strategic donor cultivation and higher-level relationship management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a major gifts officer?

To thrive as a Major Gifts Officer, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and stewardship, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as communications or nonprofit management. Familiarity with donor management databases (like Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce) and certifications such as CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) are commonly required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, persuasive communication, and emotional intelligence help build lasting relationships with high-value donors. These competencies are essential for securing significant contributions, maintaining donor trust, and achieving organizational fundraising goals.

How does a major gifts officer typically collaborate with other departments within a nonprofit organization?

Major Gifts officers frequently work closely with colleagues in marketing, communications, events, and program teams to ensure that fundraising strategies align with the organization’s overall mission and messaging. They often partner with executive leadership and board members to facilitate donor meetings and cultivate high-level relationships. Successful collaboration is essential for identifying potential donors, developing compelling cases for support, and delivering coordinated stewardship activities. This teamwork helps maximize donor engagement and the overall effectiveness of fundraising efforts.

What are major gifts in fundraising?

Major gifts are significant donations made to nonprofit organizations, typically considered to be the largest individual contributions a charity receives. These gifts often come from individuals, families, foundations, or corporations and can play a crucial role in funding key projects or operational needs. The exact definition of a 'major gift' varies by organization, but it usually refers to contributions that are much larger than average annual gifts. Major gifts often result from ongoing relationships and personalized engagement with donors.
More about Major Gifts jobs

What cities are hiring for Major Gifts jobs?

Cities with the most Major Gifts job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Major Gifts jobs?

The most popular types of Major Gifts jobs are:

What states have the most Major Gifts jobs?

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

Major Gifts jobs near you
Infographic showing various Major Gifts job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,530 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Major Gifts Officer

California Native Plant Society

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$90K - $97K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Major Gifts Officer
Application Deadline: 10 September 2026
Department: Development
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hybrid: Sacramento, CA, USA
Reporting To: Development Director
Compensation: $90,161 - $97,161 / year
Description
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of major donors in support of CNPS's mission. This role leads the full lifecycle of major gift fundraising gifts of $5,000 and above with a primary focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors.
The MGO operates with a high degree of independence in building relationships and executing fundraising strategies, while collaborating closely with the Development Director and Executive Director to advance donor engagement and revenue goals. As part of a growing major gifts program, this role contributes to refining systems, strategies, and best practices to support long-term expansion.
CNPS is supported by a large and deeply committed membership community, many of whom have maintained relationships with the organization for years or decades. This role offers a unique opportunity to build meaningful philanthropic partnerships within an established network of supporters who are already connected to the mission and impact of CNPS. The MGO is responsible for meeting fundraising goals associated with an assigned portfolio.
What You'll Do
Major Gift Fundraising & Donor Portfolio Management (80%)
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of 75+ major donors and prospects, serving as the primary relationship manager.
  • Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to increase donor engagement and giving over time.
  • Make and manage a consistent volume of gift solicitations of $5,000+ annually, aligned with established performance metrics.
  • Achieve annual revenue goals associated with the assigned major donor portfolio.
  • Plan, support, and execute donor cultivation opportunities, including small group field trips, special events, and virtual engagements.
  • Identify and cultivate midlevel donors with potential and new major gift prospects to build a strong and sustainable donor pipeline.
  • Develop compelling donor communications, including proposals, reports, impact updates, and stewardship materials in collaboration with the Development and Communications teams.
  • Use CRM to track progress, manage donor portfolios, and report on key performance indicators related to major gifts.
  • Analyze portfolio performance and adjust strategies to meet or exceed revenue goals.

Collaboration & Program Development (20%)
  • Partner with the Development Director and Executive Director on transformational donors, providing strategy, briefings, prospect research, and follow-through enabling the Executive Director to focus on the highest-impact relationships.
  • Advise senior leadership regarding donor interests, cultivation opportunities, and current engagement strategies.
  • Participate in long-range donor pipeline planning and revenue forecasting for major gifts fundraising efforts.
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of major gifts program processes, tools, and best practices, including integration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) commitments into donor conversations and materials.
  • Participate in team planning and contribute to overall Development team goals.

Additional Information
  • This is a full-time (40-hour week), exempt position.
  • Standard working hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
  • Meetings with donors may take place outside these hours, including mornings, evenings, and weekends.
  • This is a hybrid role based in Sacramento (CA) that supports remote work while requiring in-office participation for meetings and team activities. Preference will be given to Sacramento or Bay Area-based candidates or to those willing to relocate.
  • We may expand consideration to other California-based candidates only if it becomes necessary to meet our hiring goals
  • Regular travel (up to 40%) within California for donor cultivation will be required. Work travel is reimbursed.
  • A valid California driver's license is required.

What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)
Within the first year, successful candidates will:
  • Build strong working relationships with the Development Director, Executive Director, Board members, and key program staff to support coordinated donor engagement.
  • Develop a deep understanding of CNPS's mission, programs, strategic priorities, and funding opportunities.
  • Establish trusted relationships with assigned major donors and prospective donors through consistent and meaningful outreach.
  • Maintain accurate donor records, engagement plans, and fundraising activities within the CRM.
  • Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for the assigned donor portfolio.
  • Build a robust pipeline of qualified major gift prospects by identifying and engaging supporters with increased giving potential.
  • Successfully secure new and renewed major gifts in support of annual fundraising goals.
  • Contribute to a culture of donor-centered fundraising by strengthening stewardship practices, donor communications, and major gifts systems.
  • Help advance a growing major gifts program that deepens philanthropic investment from CNPS's statewide community of members, volunteers, and supporters.

Who You Are
Experience & Background
  • 6-8 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
  • Demonstrated success personally soliciting and closing gifts of $5,000+.
  • Experience building and managing a portfolio of donors and advancing relationships over time through in-person and virtual engagement.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaboratively develop fundraising strategies, manage complex donor relationships, and achieve revenue goals.

Communication & Organization
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneously.
  • Experience using CRM systems to plan, manage, and track donor activities.

Collaboration & Work Style
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently while staying aligned with team goals.
  • Strong collaborator who can effectively partner with staff and volunteer leaders.
  • Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and a high level of professionalism.

Education
  • Bachelor's degree preferred; relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Nice to Have
While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all these characteristics, the successful candidate will possess at least one - and ideally more than one - of the following:
  • Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), fundraising certificate program, or other advanced fundraising training.
  • Experience using artificial intelligence tools to support donor research, strategy development, or cultivation activities.
  • Experience integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into fundraising practices.
  • Knowledge of, or interest in, California native plants and CNPS's mission.

What You'll Get
  • Compensation: A starting annual salary between $90,160 and $97,160. Reflecting CNPS's commitment to competitive, fair, and transparent compensation, we publish the full potential starting pay ranges for new hires and do not negotiate hiring bonuses.
  • Performance Based Compensation Increases: Employees may receive up to a 3.8% performance-based annual salary increase.
  • Health Insurance: 100% coverage of employee premiums for health (Kaiser or Anthem), life, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with up to 6% matching contributions, available immediately upon employment.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: Options for a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), and Transportation Savings Account (TSA).
  • Paid Leave: 13 holidays, 12 sick/wellness days, and 15 vacation days.
  • Parental Leave: 12 weeks of supplemental, paid parental leave, after one year of employment.
  • Work-from-Home Support: CNPS-issued laptop, a $750 home office stipend, and a $60/month telework stipend.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Comprehensive support for employees and their families.
  • Professional Development: Annual budget of $500 and 32 hours for professional development opportunities.
  • Team Building: Attendance at semiannual staff team-building events.
  • Community: Complimentary CNPS Society membership.
  • Meaningful Impact: Join a team where your work genuinely supports the planet - cape optional!

Apply