Role: Major Gifts Officer
Reports to: Advancement Director
Category: Full-Time/Exempt
Location: Hybrid (Remote on campus and in community with donors)
Role Summary
The Major Gifts Officer is a key member of the Advancement team and is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making leadership-level and transformational philanthropic gifts. This position will build strong, mission-centered relationships with current and prospective donors, inspiring them to invest in the strategic priorities of the school.
Essential Functions
Donor Cultivation & Relationship Management
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Manage a portfolio of 50-75 major gift prospects and donors.
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Develop and implement personalized cultivation (engagement, solicitation, and stewardship) strategies for each donor.
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Collaborate with the Executive Director and Advancement Director on donor identification, engagement, stewardship, & solicitation strategies.
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Conduct regular donor visits, calls, and personal touchpoints to build long-term engagement.
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Prepare personalized proposals, impact reports, and donor correspondence.
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Assess the potential for establishing a donor society for annual giving, intended to upgrade annual gifts of its members on a 3-year pledge basis. Oversee its implementation.
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Steward donors with creative and meaningful follow-up to ensure ongoing connection to mission and impact.
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Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and moves management activity.
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Attend school events and represent the institution in the broader community
Strategic Collaboration
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Work closely with the Executive Director and fundraising committee members to identify, engage, and cultivate prospects within their personal and professional networks.
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Work closely with Advancement team members to support Annual Fund, Annual Gala, capital campaigns, special projects, and planned giving efforts.
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Partner with faculty, administrators, and volunteers to identify funding priorities and philanthropic opportunities.
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Assist in planning and attending fundraising and stewardship events.
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Participate in prospect research and donor pipeline development.
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Participate in monthly metrics reporting.
Planned Giving Programming
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Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive planned giving program that aligns with the school’s long-term fundraising goals.
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Identify, qualify, cultivate, and steward prospects for bequests, estate planning, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.
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Provide donors and prospects with clear, accurate information about planned giving opportunities, working in partnership with legal and financial advisors when appropriate.
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Collaborate with the Advancement Director on planned giving marketing materials, including website content, brochures, and donor stories that highlight the impact of legacy gifts.
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Establish and manage a Legacy Society (or equivalent recognition program), ensuring meaningful stewardship of planned giving donors.
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Collaborate with the advancement team to integrate planned giving terminology into donor communications and engagement plans.
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Maintain detailed documentation of planned giving conversations and commitments in the donor database, ensuring accurate reporting and forecasting.
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree required.
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Minimum of 3–5 years of development, nonprofit fundraising, or related relationship-building experience, ideally in independent schools but not required to be school related.
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Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts ($10,000+).
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Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities, take initiative, and work both independently and collaboratively.
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Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
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Passion for the mission and values and an ability to articulate them compellingly.
Personal Attributes
● Warm and genuine relationship-builder
● Strategic listener and thoughtful communicator
● Results-driven and goal-oriented
● Organized, proactive, and attentive to detail
● Values collaboration, inclusivity, and community engagement
Compensation and Benefits
A competitive salary is offered based on experience. A comprehensive benefits package is available.
To apply or inquire, email recruiter@brightstreetsolutions.com
Bright Street Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination.