Major Gifts Officer

Job Category: Advocacy, Advancement, Development, Marketing

Requisition Number: MAJOR
004796

Posting Date: January 14, 2026

Employment Type: Full-Time

Hybrid

Lighthouse at Ascentria
18 Chestnut Street
Suite 410
Worcester, MA 01608, USA

Pay Range: $85,000 - $120,000 USD (authorized pay for Massachusetts and Vermont)

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a key member of the Advancement team comprising development, marketing, and advocacy divisions. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts ($5,000+) from individuals, foundations, corporations, and faith-based institutions to support the organization's mission and critical work. The MGO will manage a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects, fostering strong relationships to secure significant contributions that advance Ascentria's programs and priorities.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Build long-term relationships through personalized engagement strategies.
• Emphasis on new major donor acquisition and cultivation.
• Collaborate with leadership to implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy.
• Align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.

• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research and analysis.
• Prepare tailored proposals and presentations for major gift solicitations.

• Ensure timely recognition and meaningful engagement opportunities for donors.

• Maintain accurate donor records and provide regular progress reports.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
• Experience:
  
  5–7 years in major gifts fundraising with proven success.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency in donor management software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Please note: Candidates who are selected for hire must successfully complete all required background checks before starting their employment.

• Strategic Relationship Building: Ability to cultivate trust and long-term donor engagement.
• Communication Excellence: Skilled in persuasive writing, public speaking, and active listening.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong research and data interpretation skills for prospect qualification.
• Goal Orientation: Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed fundraising targets.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across teams and with leadership.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Integrity & Confidentiality: Maintains discretion with sensitive donor information.

• Build and actively manage a growing portfolio of qualified major gift prospects, expanding from ~25 to 150 within 24 months through disciplined cultivation, qualification, and cross‑functional partnership with Marketing.

• Secure $250,000+ annually in major gifts.
• Conduct 10–15 donor or professional contact visits per month (virtual or in‑person) to help build our base of support and qualified prospects.
• Add 50+ new qualified prospects annually
  .

• Ensure 100% of donors receive personalized follow‑up and impact reports
  .

The physical demands described here are representative of those that employees in this job must meet. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

Sedentary - Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Involves sitting most of the time but may also require walking or standing for brief periods.

• Requires the use of hands and fingers to handle files/papers/records.
• Requires stopping and reaching to file in file cabinets.

Requires access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license to travel to various locations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to solve problems, make decisions, interpret data, and organize.

• Ability to do detailed work with a high degree of concentration.
• Ability to work…