Stewardship Officer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

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 prospective donors.

This position joins IndyHumane at a defining moment in the organization's history. As IndyHumane lays the groundwork for a future capital campaign and continued organizational growth, the Major Gifts Officer will help build the donor relationships necessary to support transformational change for animals and the community.

The Major Gifts Officer manages a portfolio of approximately 150 major donors and prospects through all stages of the donor relationship, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This position also manages a select group of mid-level donors with strong potential to become major donors.

Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Annual Fund Manager, Development Specialist, and other organizational leaders, the Major Gifts Officer develops individualized engagement strategies that connect donor interests with IndyHumane's mission, programs, and strategic priorities.

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Essential Job Functions

Major Donor Portfolio Management

Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 150 major donors and prospective donors through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

Develop individualized relationship-management strategies for assigned donors and prospects

Conduct personalized donor visits, meetings, telephone calls, and other outreach activities that build trust and deepen donor relationships

Align donor interests with IndyHumane programs, organizational priorities, and funding opportunities

Maintain consistent donor contact based on portfolio tier, engagement level, giving history, and individualized strategy

Ensure donors receive timely communication, recognition, stewardship, and follow-up

Maintain a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, discretion, and sound judgment when working with donors and prospective donors

Mid-Level Donor Development

Manage a select group of mid-level donors with strong potential to become major donors

Partner with the Annual Fund Manager and Development Specialist to identify donors who may be appropriate for increased cultivation

Develop strategies to increase donor engagement, giving levels, and long-term philanthropic involvement

Evaluate donor history, capacity, interests, and engagement when determining readiness for major gift cultivation

Support the movement of qualified donors into the major gifts pipeline

Donor Cultivation & Solicitation

Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation plans for assigned donors and prospects

Conduct face-to-face donor visits and solicitations independently and in partnership with organizational leadership

Prepare individualized giving proposals, gift illustrations, presentations, and funding requests

Translate organizational priorities and program needs into compelling, donor-centered giving opportunities

Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Development Officer on strategic donor visits, solicitations, events, and relationship-building activities

Communicate the impact of donor support through meaningful stories, outcomes, and organizational information

Meet or exceed annual major gift fundraising goals, with an initial target of $1 million in major gifts during the first year

Pipeline Development & Moves Management

Build and maintain a healthy and sustainable pipeline of major gift donors and prospects

Identify and qualify new prospective donors through research, referrals, engagement activities, giving history, and community relationships

Develop and document moves-management strategies for each assigned donor and prospect

Track donor movement through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages

Monitor portfolio activity and ensure appropriate next steps are established and completed

Maintain accurate, timely, and complete donor records within the organization's CRM

Record donor contacts, meeting notes, interests, giving history, relationship strategies, and follow-up activities

Adapt to changes in donor-management systems and support IndyHumane's transition from Virtuous to Bloomerang

Donor Stewardship

Design and implement meaningful stewardship strategies for major donors

Develop personalized communications, impact reports, recognition opportunities, and donor updates

Partner with the Development and Events teams to create intimate donor experiences, tours, meetings, and engagement opportunities

Ensure donors understand the impact of their philanthropic support

Identify creative and meaningful opportunities to deepen donor engagement with IndyHumane

Coordinate donor recognition in accordance with organizational standards and donor preferences

Maintain regular stewardship following gifts, organizational milestones, and program achievements

Major Donor Program Development

Serve as a strategic partner in building and strengthening IndyHumane's major donor program

Partner with the Chief Development Officer to establish portfolio goals, revenue projections, activity expectations, and program strategies

Monitor donor giving trends, interests, engagement patterns, and portfolio performance

Use donor data and engagement metrics to inform fundraising strategies and communications

Identify opportunities to improve donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention

Support preparations for future capital, comprehensive, or special fundraising campaigns

Assist in developing major gift policies, procedures, communication standards, and portfolio-management practices

Contribute to long-term fundraising plans that support departmental and organizational priorities

Collaboration & Organizational Support

Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Development Team, program leaders, and other departments to identify funding priorities and donor engagement opportunities

Work with program and operational teams to gather information, outcomes, stories, and financial needs for donor conversations and proposals

Attend Development Team meetings, all-staff meetings, donor events, and professional development opportunities

Support organizational fundraising campaigns, special events, and strategic initiatives

Represent IndyHumane professionally when interacting with donors, prospective donors, volunteers, community partners, and members of the public

Maintain confidentiality regarding donor information, financial information, organizational strategy, and other sensitive matters

Perform additional duties, projects, and assignments as needed

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Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Business, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Wealth Management, or a related field preferred

An equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience may be considered

Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of major gift fundraising, donor relations, development, wealth management, or related experience required

Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts required

Proven experience securing gifts within the five- to seven-figure range strongly preferred

Experience managing an active donor portfolio and moves-management pipeline required

Experience conducting face-to-face donor meetings and solicitations required

Experience developing donor proposals, stewardship communications, and individualized engagement strategies required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong understanding of major gift fundraising principles, donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and moves management

Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

Ability to communicate organizational priorities in a compelling, donor-centered manner

Ability to confidently engage, cultivate, and solicit high-net-worth individuals

Strong strategic-thinking, planning, and analytical abilities

Ability to develop and execute long-term donor relationship plans

Strong organizational and project-management skills

Ability to manage a large donor portfolio while maintaining individualized engagement

Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, deadlines, meetings, and follow-up activities

Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping

Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment

Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with team members and leadership

Ability to collaborate across departments and build productive internal relationships

Ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities, systems, and fundraising strategies

Ability to travel locally and regionally as needed for donor meetings, events, and cultivation activities

Commitment to the mission and values of IndyHumane

Technical Skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Experience using donor databases, CRM systems, or moves-management platforms required

Experience with Virtuous, Bloomerang, or similar nonprofit CRM systems preferred

Ability to maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, portfolio plans, and fundraising projections

Ability to analyze donor data, giving history, engagement activity, and portfolio performance

Ability to prepare professional donor proposals, presentations, reports, and correspondence

Comfort learning and adapting to new technology and donor-management systems

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Preferred Qualifications

Five (5) or more years of major gift fundraising experience

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification

Experience working in a nonprofit organization

Experience working in animal welfare, healthcare, human services, or another community-focused organization

Experience supporting a capital campaign, comprehensive campaign, or major organizational fundraising initiative

Experience cultivating and soliciting high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, or other major funding partners

Experience developing major donor program strategies, revenue projections, and portfolio goals

Experience with Virtuous, Bloomerang, or comparable donor CRM systems

Established professional relationships within the Central Indiana philanthropic community

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Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the workday

Ability to work on a computer for extended periods

Ability to communicate in person, by telephone, through video conferencing, and through written correspondence

Ability to occasionally lift and carry office, event, or presentation materials weighing up to 25 pounds

Ability to travel to donor meetings, organizational locations, community events, and off-site activities

Ability to attend occasional meetings, donor visits, or events outside normal working hours

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Work Environment & Potential Exposures

This position operates in professional office, donor, community, event, and animal welfare environments. The role includes regular interaction with staff, volunteers, donors, prospective donors, organizational leaders, community partners, and members of the public.

Potential exposures may include:

Animal-related allergens, odors, hair, dander, and noise

Regular travel between organizational locations, donor meetings, and community events

Occasional evening or weekend work

Fast-paced work environments with multiple deadlines and competing priorities

Frequent interruptions and changing organizational needs

Extended periods of computer and screen use

Sensitive, confidential, and emotionally significant donor conversations

Attendance at events where animals may be present

Employees are expected to follow all organizational safety procedures, confidentiality expectations, donor privacy standards, and professional conduct requirements.

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 Core Competencies

Major Gift Fundraising

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

Relationship Building

Moves Management

Strategic Thinking

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Donor-Centered Communication

Solicitation & Negotiation

Portfolio Management

Organization & Planning

Project Management

Analytical Thinking

Collaboration & Teamwork

Professionalism

Confidentiality & Discretion

Adaptability

Results Orientation

Time Management

Mission Commitment

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

IndyHumane is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

IndyHumane is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws. Employees and applicants requiring accommodations should contact Human Resources.

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 At-Will Employment Disclaimer

Employment with IndyHumane is at-will. This means that either the employee or IndyHumane may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description should be interpreted as creating a contract of employment.

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