Major Gifts Officer

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

Job Description

Position Title:        Major Gifts Officer  

Reports to:            Director of Development

Status:                  Exempt – Full-time, Salaried

Salary Range:        $65,000-$70,000

Closing Date:         Until Position is Filled

Position Summary
The Major Gifts Officer is a key member of the Development Department, responsible for securing philanthropic support to advance Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center's mission, exhibitions, educational programs, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Director of Development, this frontline fundraising position manages a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, developing and implementing strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward meaningful philanthropic investments.

The Major Gifts Officer plays an integral role in growing contributed revenue through strategic relationship management, major gift fundraising, sponsorship development, and donor engagement. Working collaboratively with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, Development Committee, and colleagues across the organization, this position helps strengthen Oklahoma Contemporary's culture of philanthropy while contributing to annual fundraising priorities, future campaign initiatives, and exceptional donor experiences.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors through strategic cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and ongoing relationship management.
• Achieve an annual fundraising goal of approximately $300,000–$350,000 through the successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new major gift prospects while expanding Oklahoma Contemporary's donor pipeline.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies designed to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic investment.
• Prepare compelling proposals, sponsorship opportunities, gift agreements, and stewardship communications.
• Collaborate with the Development Department, Oklahoma Contemporary staff, and key stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees and community volunteers, to advance Oklahoma Contemporary’s fundraising efforts through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective donors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, volunteers, trustees, community leaders, and organizational partners.
• Represent Oklahoma Contemporary throughout the community while serving as an ambassador for the organization's mission, programs, and fundraising priorities.
• Utilize the organization's constituent relationship management (CRM) system to maintain accurate donor records, document donor interactions, manage moves management activities, and monitor portfolio performance.
• Prepare fundraising reports, pipeline analyses, and portfolio updates to evaluate progress toward departmental goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, arts administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible fundraising, development, or sales experience, with a demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships and secure financial support or revenue.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts and sponsorships.
• Strong understanding of donor pipeline development, moves management, and relationship-based fundraising.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including proposal and presentation development.
• Proficiency with donor relationship management software, preferably Blackbaud Altru, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Self-motivated with the initiative to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Passion for the arts and commitment to the mission of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Other Requirements and Working Conditions

• Use of a car required; legally registered and insured for daily use.
• Use of a computer, telephone and printer/copier daily.
• Team environment with frequent group meeting participation and collaboration necessary.
• Physical requirements: combination of sitting, standing, walking and driving on a frequent basis. Lifting modest weights (up to 30 pounds) may be required occasionally.

Oklahoma Contemporary is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, different abilities, gender identity or veteran status.

About Oklahoma Contemporary

Oklahoma Contemporary is an inclusive center for the arts where people of all ages and backgrounds can experience art, encounter new ideas and ignite their creative potential. Through visual art exhibitions, performances, public programs, community-building initiatives, outdoor installations and special events, Oklahoma Contemporary creates opportunities for everyone to come together in celebration of contemporary culture and artistic expression. With year-round classes and seasonal youth camps across multiple disciplines, the arts center’s education programs encourage youth and adults to express their ideas across a variety of media and learn new skills. Oklahoma Contemporary believes that art is for everyone and places accessibility and education at the center of all programming. Admission to exhibitions is always free. Oklahoma Contemporary is a regional 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by businessman and philanthropist Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers. 

Inclusion
Oklahoma Contemporary strives to demonstrate leadership by modeling excellence and best practices for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We believe in the power of human creativity and value the opportunities for connection and learning that exist when cultures and communities come together in collaboration and understanding.

We commit to championing policies and practices that value diversity, foster cultural equity and create an accessible and inclusive environment. Oklahoma Contemporary does not discriminate based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status or religion. We recognize our strengths lie in the broad range of people who contribute their time and talents to our mission and are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive place for them to explore creativity.