Major Gifts Officer; West Coast

As the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organisation, GLAAD is at the forefront of accelerating acceptance to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation that leads to cultural change. For 40 years, GLAAD has been a dynamic media force rewriting the script for LGBTQ acceptance. Our work tackles tough issues that shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.

The work of GLAAD is a campaign-style work environment that operates on a breaking news cycle; there is always a high level of energy and rapid activity for everyone in the organisation; preparing for the next events/campaigns to accomplish our important media advocacy work, challenging anti-LGBTQ activism, and changing hearts and minds about our need for full equality. Staff members are expected to consciously and continuously promote the mission, values, programs, and impact of the organisation when presented with opportunities for participating in membership development and reaching out to personal connections on behalf of GLAAD.

GLAAD operates with support from foundations, corporations, and individuals from every corner of the United States. Our highly skilled team of more than 60 staff works out of our Headquarters in New York, Los Angeles, and remotely.

GLAAD seeks a Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to manage and grow a portfolio of 100-125 high-capacity donors and prospects, with a primary focus on Los Angeles and the West Coast. As a key member of the Individual Giving team–which currently raises over $3.7 million annually–the MGO will play a vital role in the strategic plan to significantly scale individual giving.

As a frontline fundraiser and donor-centred relationship manager, the Major Gifts Officer will identify, qualify, solicit, and steward a diverse donor base, while also serving as a strategic partner to the Vice President of Individual Giving, Chief Development Officer, President & CEO, and Board of Directors, by managing key donor relationships and high-level solicitations. They must be located in the Los Angeles area.

• Manage a portfolio of 100-125 major donors and prospects, with a focus on Los Angeles and the West Coast.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors to meet a personal revenue goal scaling to $1M+ annually through renewals, upgrades, and first-time gifts.
• Support senior staff and the Board of Directors in their major gift fundraising efforts, including coordinating cultivation and solicitation meetings, preparing briefings and reports, and providing follow-up as needed.
• Collaborate with the Individual Giving team to identify and move mid-level donors into the major gift pipeline.
• Leverage GLAAD engagement programs, such as GLAAD Ambassadors and Parents for Progress, to deepen donor affinity.
• Maximize the impact of GLAAD’s signature high-profile events—including the GLAAD Media Awards and Tidings—as strategic touchpoints to qualify new prospects and renew or upgrade current donors, cultivating their interest beyond event-based giving toward sustained philanthropic investment.
• Draft high-quality stewardship, solicitation, and acknowledgement materials, including individualized proposals, impact reports, and appeals tailored to high-net-worth individuals.
• Proactively research and identify new major gift prospects within the GLAAD database and the broader philanthropic community.
• Maintain high-integrity donor data within Salesforce, utilizing the platform to track engagement milestones, accurately project annual revenue and manage a portfolio.
• Develop and oversee successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship events in collaboration with the GLAAD events team.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

• A minimum of five years of demonstrated success as a frontline fundraiser who has consistently met or exceeded annual revenue goals and demonstrates progressively more responsibility over time, with an emphasis on securing individual major donor support.
• A proven track record of prospecting, cultivating, and securing gifts of $5,000 or more, working with volunteer leaders, and developing long-term donor cultivation and solicitation…