Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer

Reports to: Finance Director
FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt

Position Summary:

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant philanthropic support for The Well. This role manages a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors with the capacity to make meaningful annual and multi-year contributions.

As the primary relationship manager for major donors, the Major Gifts Officer develops personalized strategies, conducts donor outreach, prepares customized proposals, and ensures thoughtful and timely stewardship. This role connects community partners with opportunities to invest in hope, healing, and real behavioral health solutions.

Working closely with the Finance Director, the Major Gifts Officer aligns donor engagement efforts with organizational priorities and collaborates across programs to gather stories, outcomes, and data that demonstrate impact.

Core Values:

• Show Up with Generosity: You build authentic relationships through gratitude, partnership, and consistent communication.
• Check the Ego: You collaborate closely with program and finance staff, valuing teamwork and accuracy over individual credit.
• Embrace Diversity: You celebrate and honor the cultures, identities, and lived experiences of those we serve and ensure donor messaging reflects this shared value.
• Grounded in Hope: You believe in the transformative power of community investment and bring optimism, professionalism, and persistence to your work.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit management, business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of two years of experience in donor relations, major gifts, fundraising, or related development work.
• Major Gifts & Fundraising Skills
  • Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors or stakeholders.
  • Has the ability to connect with Higher giving donors and corporate sponsors
  • Understanding of donor pipelines, relationship-building strategies, and moves management.
  • Experience preparing donor proposals, impact updates, or other customized fundraising materials.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to represent The Well confidently and professionally.
• Administrative & Technical Skills
• Proficiency using donor management or CRM systems for tracking activity and generating reports.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey mission and impact clearly.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple donor relationships and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret programmatic and financial information to prepare donor materials.
• Professional Attributes
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and comfortable working independently.
• Adept at building trust and rapport with diverse donors and partners.
• Strategic thinker with creativity and attention to detail.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced nonprofit environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Major Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects with individualized cultivation plans.
• Conduct donor outreach including phone calls, emails, visits, tours, and personalized engagement activities.
• Prepare customized proposals, impact summaries, and giving opportunities aligned with donor interests.
• Ensure timely, meaningful stewardship that builds long-term donor loyalty.
• Document all donor interactions, strategies, and progress in the donor CRM.
  • Prospect Identification & Portfolio Growth
• Identify and research new major donor prospects from community networks, referrals, and database insights.
• Assess donor capacity, interests, and giving patterns to guide solicitation strategies.
• Build a sustainable donor pipeline for annual, multi-year, and special initiative funding.

3. Communication & Storytelling

• Partner with program teams to collect stories, outcomes, and data that demonstrate The Well's impact.
• Develop donor-facing materials including updates, case statements, and individualized reports.
• Ensure messaging is mission-centered, trauma-informed, and aligned with The Well's values.
• Collaborate with marketing and leadership on donor-related messaging and materials.

4. Donor Events & Engagement Activities

• Support the planning and execution of donor events, tours, and small-group gatherings.
• Participate in community events to build relationships and increase visibility.
• Assist in major campaigns and special initiatives as assigned.
• Reporting, Tracking & Compliance
  • Work with the Finance Director to ensure accurate donor acknowledgment and gift tracking.
  • Maintain meticulous records of donor contacts, commitments, and stewardship requirements.
  • Provide regular reports, projections, and portfolio insights to leadership.
  • Ensure compliance with donor restrictions and reporting obligations.
• Collaboration & Professional Development
  • Partner with the Finance Director to align donor strategies with organizational budget needs.
  • Collaborate with program leaders to understand service priorities and funding gaps.
  • Participate in relevant trainings, fundraising networks, and professional development opportunities.
  • Support other organizational initiatives and events as needed.

Work Environment & Requirements:

• Regular sitting, standing, walking, and computer use.
• Frequent travel for donor meetings, events, and community engagement.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally (event materials).
• Valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation required. Mileage reimbursed at the federal rate.