Development Officer, Major Gifts

MSPCA-Angell; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and life insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick time

Employee discounts for pet health care

Free on-site parking

Job summary

MSPCA-Angell in Boston seeks a Development Officer, Major Gifts to cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors capable of significant philanthropic investments in our mission. This role requires a strong understanding of major gifts fundraising and exceptional relationship-building skills.

You will work closely with the Chief Development Officer and Development team to implement individualized fundraising strategies that strengthen donor engagement and support campaign priorities, with

Qualifications

• 5 years of successful major gift fundraising experience with a demonstrated record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant gifts.
• Experience building and sustaining long‑term relationships with leadership and major gift donors.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems to maintain accurate records and support fundraising strategy.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make significant philanthropic investments, including planned gifts.
• Guide donors through all stages of the major gift cycle, from identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, and long‑term engagement.
• Partner with Development leadership to create and implement individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that increase donor commitment and retention.
• Advance MSPCA‑Angell's campaign priorities by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding campaign donors and prospects.
• Develop strategies to secure leadership and major gifts in support of campaign initiatives, including naming opportunities and other strategic funding priorities.
• Conduct face‑to‑face meetings with donors and prospective supporters.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with development colleagues, veterinarians, animal protection staff, senior leadership, volunteer leadership, and donors.
• Maintain accurate donor records and a high level of data integrity within the fundraising database.
• Partner with the Development team to identify and qualify new major gift prospects.
• Represent the organization at special events and other donor engagement opportunities.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Relationship building

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The Position

The Development Officer, Major Gifts is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making significant philanthropic investments in the MSPCA-Angell mission. This role requires a strong understanding of major gifts fundraising, exceptional relationship-building skills, professionalism, initiative, and a genuine commitment to advancing animal welfare. Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, Senior Director of Individual and Institutional Giving, and the broader Development team, the Development Officer will develop and implement individualized fundraising strategies that strengthen donor engagement, inspire transformational giving, and support both annual and campaign fundraising priorities. Success in this role requires close collaboration with colleagues across the organization, including veterinary staff, animal protection teams, senior leadership, and volunteer leadership.

Some Of The Responsibilities Include

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make significant philanthropic investments, including planned gifts.
• Guide donors through all stages of the major gift cycle, from identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, and long‑term engagement.
• Partner with Development leadership to create and implement individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that increase donor commitment and retention.
• Advance the MSPCA‑Angell's comprehensive and capital campaign priorities by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding campaign donors and prospects.
• Develop strategies to secure leadership and major gifts in support of campaign initiatives, including naming opportunities and other strategic funding priorities.
• Conduct face‑to‑face meetings with donors and prospective supporters.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with development colleagues, veterinarians, animal protection staff, senior leadership, volunteer leadership, and donors.
• Coordinate meetings between donors and organizational leadership, veterinarians, and other key stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate donor records and a high level of data integrity within the fundraising database.
• Partner with the Development team to identify and qualify new major gift prospects.
• Represent the organization at special events and other donor engagement opportunities.

Who We Are

The Boston MSPCA‑Angell is one of the oldest and most respected animal welfare organizations in the world. Every day, our teams work together to improve the lives of animals through veterinary medicine, animal protection, advocacy, and community outreach. Joining MSPCA‑Angell means becoming part of a mission‑driven organization where your work has a direct and lasting impact.

Applicant Requirements

• At least five years of successful major gift fundraising experience with a demonstrated record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant gifts.
• Experience building and sustaining long‑term relationships with leadership and major gift donors.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems to maintain accurate records and support fundraising strategy.

Because written communication is essential to this role, applicants are required to submit a cover letter as part of their application.

Compensation

Salary: $105k-125k. Please note that candidates with additional experience or credentials may be eligible for compensation aligned with their qualifications.

Our Benefits

• health, dental, and life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• tuition reimbursement
• paid holidays
• vacation and sick time
• employee discounts for pet health care
• free on‑site parking

Experience

Required

• 5 year(s): Major Gift Fundraising

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.