Major Gifts Officer

Salary: $90,000/year - $100,000/year

Position Summary:

Children's Aid, a mission-driven organization dedicated to combating childhood poverty, is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to support the development and execution of a comprehensive major gift strategy. Reporting to the Director of Individual Giving, this role manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making significant contributions, building meaningful relationships to secure and grow philanthropic support.

The Major Gifts Officer collaborates closely with internal teams to align major gift efforts with broader fundraising initiatives and plays a key role in strengthening the organization's individual giving program. This position requires regular engagement with donors across New York City and surrounding areas to cultivate partnerships that advance Children's Aid's impact. This is a hybrid role, with a combination of in-office, remote, and in-person donor meetings.

Essential Duties:

• Manages a portfolio of $2,500+ donors, including those at the major gift level and those with potential to increase giving, using moves management strategies to meet annual fundraising and activity goals.
• Develop and execute individualized strategies to advance prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, events, and internal partnerships; initiate and maintain donor relationships.
• Strategize on appropriate giving levels and engagement approaches; develop and implement tailored cultivation and solicitation plans.
• Create compelling proposals, impact reports, and donor communications to support outreach, engagement, and stewardship efforts.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to involve key staff in donor cultivation and solicitation activities.
• Lead and complete gift solicitations, ensuring timely and effective follow-up, recognition, and stewardship of donors.
• Solicit support through in-person meetings and written communications.
• Partner with program teams to understand budgets, outcomes, and impact, and translate this information into strong cases for support and donor reporting.
• Prepare and manage donor correspondence, reports, and records, leveraging existing materials and developing new content as needed.
• Contribute to the annual development plan, including revenue projections and progress tracking.
• Conduct research on new and existing donors to inform engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with Development leadership to identify opportunities, develop proposals, and prepare briefings, reports, and related materials.
• Coordinate and host donor site visits across New York City and Westchester.
• Maintain accurate donor records and track all activity in Raiser's Edge or other fundraising systems.
• Partner with the Development team to achieve departmental goals and support broader fundraising initiatives.
• Attend and support fundraising and stewardship events, engaging and building relationships with donors.
• Build and maintain relationships with program staff to support effective donor engagement.
• Perform additional donor- and prospect-related activities as needed to support evolving program priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience in fundraising, development, or a related field.

Key Competencies:

• Experience working in a nonprofit or development environment preferred.
• Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently while contributing to team goals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and comfortable using technology to support fundraising efforts.
• Communicates clearly and effectively in writing and verbally, with the ability to build and sustain relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Applies donor cultivation and engagement strategies to support fundraising goals.
• Maintains transparency and accountability by consistently documenting activities, communications, and progress with leadership and team members.
• Demonstrates reliability, organization, and effective time management in handling multiple priorities.
• Plans and manages projects with attention to detail, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
• Approaches challenges with curiosity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
• Shows alignment with and commitment to the mission and values of Children's Aid.
• Experience using a CRM or donor database (e.g., Raiser's Edge) to track and manage donor activity preferred.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.