Overview
Major Gifts Officer Jobs in Madison, NJ at Washington Humane Society
Job Summary:
HRA is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to join the talented development department and play a key role in supporting the new community-centric approach across the New Jersey geography. The Major Gifts Officer will report to the Chief Advancement Officer and join a dynamic development team. The Officer will be responsible for cultivating and managing a $5M portfolio of major donors ($5k) and principal gifts ($250K+) centering authenticity and trust in each interaction, and ensuring ongoing stewardship, care, and engagement with each donor.
The Major Gifts Officer serves as a frontline fundraiser in New Jersey. They will focus their efforts on HRA’s mission with the goal of maximizing donor engagement to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors.
This is a unique opportunity for a creative, passionate major gifts officer to join a collaborative and dynamic team and contribute to incredible impact. The ideal candidate is a deeply relationship centered individual with a passion for human, animal and community well-being, and a record of leading and working through growth and change.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Major Gift Fundraising
In close partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer, maintain an awareness of the HRA strategy as well as an active body of knowledge on the HRA mission, programs, activities, and evolving priorities.
Collaborate with and support the Chief Advancement Officer, to cultivate relationships with donors resulting in major and principal gifts.
Develop and implement cultivation strategies for a portfolio of 120 individuals with the capacity to make major gifts, nurturing relationships through personalized communications, meetings, and engagement opportunities that align with HRA organizational priorities and values.
Responsible for the solicitation process for major gifts, including developing authentic asks, proposals, presentations, and special opportunities aligned with donor interests and HRA priorities.
Develop compelling collateral to be shared with donors and potential donors that share powerful stories of HRA impact.
Negotiate gift agreements and terms with donors.
Serve as an effective and enthusiastic ambassador and representative for HRA.
Actively participate in department meetings to ensure ongoing trust and teambuilding as well as to foster a sense of idea generation, creativity, and cooperation among the development team and across the organization.
Ensure accurate and up-to-date donor records in the HRA system, and that all interactions, proposals and gift agreements are recorded in accordance with HRA policies and procedures.
Collaborate and proactively partner across the organization to build and sustain the culture of philanthropy across HRA.
Qualifications and Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, a deep understanding of the non-profit community and a minimum of five years of experience in development, with a strong record of securing six and seven figure gifts.
Authentic support for the mission of HRA.
Records of success raising major gifts from a variety of individuals.
Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate internally and represent HRA externally.
Strong listening skills and a record of accomplishment cultivating and building lasting relationships with a variety of individuals.
Record of strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and meeting deadlines.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted.
Regularly sits at a computer station and operates electronic equipment.
Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish and wildlife.
Ability to perform strenuous physical activity daily, including but not limited to lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, and bending. Regularly moves about the facilities to coordinate work. Typically stands, bends, stoops, and crouches while working special events.
Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; common allergens; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.
Education and Experience:
Minimum of 18 years of age.
Basic familiarity with computers, MSWord, MS Outlook, and Microsoft Office.
5+ years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising, donor cultivation, and solicitation (with a proven track record of securing gifts of $5,000+ and preferably $25,000+).
Experience in managing and growing a portfolio of major donors, with a focus on relationship-building and retention.
Demonstrated success in developing and executing donor engagement strategies that lead to increased giving and donor loyalty.
Proven ability to research, qualify, and cultivate new donor prospects, including high-net-worth individuals.
Experience working with Board members, executives, and key stakeholders to leverage relationships for donor connections.
Strong familiarity with moves management, donor stewardship, and pipeline development.
Experience conducting relationship mapping with board members and other key influencers.
Skilled in preparing compelling donor proposals, cases for support, and stewardship reports.
Previous experience with capital campaigns or special fundraising initiatives is a plus.
Proficiency with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, DonorPerfect) for tracking and analyzing donor interactions.
Experience working in animal welfare, healthcare, higher education, or another cause-driven nonprofit is strongly preferred.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, metrics-driven fundraising environment, with a focus on achieving revenue goals.
Experience planning and executing high-touch donor engagement events, VIP meetings, and exclusive donor experiences.
Familiarity with corporate sponsorships and planned giving strategies is a plus.
HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodation will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.
The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, vision, dental and select offerings for pets. Additional information may be provided upon request.
Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.
Title: Major Gifts Officer
Company: Washington Humane Society
Location: Madison, NJ
