Major Gifts Officer

Description

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors capable of making significant philanthropic investments in the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society's mission. The MGO manages a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, develops meaningful relationships that inspire long-term support, and collaborates across departments to align donor interests with organizational priorities.

This position plays a critical role in advancing the shelter's fundraising goals by securing leadership-level annual gifts, multi-year commitments, capital gifts, planned gifts, and special project funding.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings, virtual visits, and personalized donor communications.
• Solicit gifts at the five-, six-, and seven-figure levels, as appropriate.
• Prepare compelling gift proposals, impact reports, and stewardship materials.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Build authentic, long-term relationships with donors, volunteers, adopters, and community leaders.
• Create meaningful donor experiences, including shelter tours, behind-the-scenes visits, and meetings with leadership.
• Ensure timely and thoughtful donor recognition and stewardship.
• Partner with program staff to communicate measurable impact of philanthropic investments.

Prospect Development

• Identify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, events, and community networking.
• Work with the development team to qualify prospects and move them through the donor pipeline.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and next steps in the CRM (Raiser’s Edge NXT).

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with the CEO, Director of Development, Board members, and volunteer leaders on donor engagement strategies.
• Support campaign planning, fundraising events, and leadership giving initiatives.
• Participate in donor appreciation and community outreach activities.

Planned Giving

• Introduce appropriate donors to legacy giving opportunities.
• Collaborate on marketing and stewardship of planned giving donors.
• Support estate gift conversations alongside leadership and professional advisors when appropriate.

Performance & Administration

• Meet annual fundraising goals and activity metrics.
• Maintain accurate forecasts and revenue projections.
• Prepare reports for leadership and the Board.
• Stay informed about trends in philanthropy, animal welfare, and donor engagement.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively successful fundraising experience, with demonstrated success securing major gifts.
• Proven ability to cultivate and close gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Experience using donor database/CRM systems.
• Experience working with volunteers and nonprofit boards.
• Familiarity with donor research and wealth screening tools.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

Experience in animal welfare