Development Officer Major Gifts

United Way of The Bluegrass, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

United Way of the Bluegrass, Inc. is seeking a relation­ship-driven Major Gifts & Donor Engagement Officer to deepen connections with donors across Central Kentucky.

You will manage a portfolio of major gifts, cultivate long-term relationships, and design personalized engagement that translates generosity into community impact. With at least three years in fundraising or related fields, you will partner with senior leadership to shape strategy, advance multi-year commitments, and ensure robust

Qualifications

• At least three years of successful experience in fundraising, major gifts, development, or a related field.
• Experience cultivating and managing high-value relationships and securing financial commitments.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, writing, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple relationships and priorities independently.
• Willingness to travel throughout UWBG’s service area and attend donor events as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors with clear strategies and next steps for each relationship.
• Build year-round relationships through donor meetings, program visits, impact updates, events, and personalized engagement.
• Cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts including multi-year commitments.
• Develop donor-specific proposals and giving opportunities aligning with individual interests and UWBG’s impact.
• Partner with the VP of Resource Development on major-gift strategy and significant solicitations.
• Identify and qualify new prospects in partnership with CRM and development research.
• Create stewardship strategies to strengthen donor retention and increase investment.
• Maintain accurate donor, pipeline, solicitation, and next-action data in the CRM.
• Collaborate with Resource Development, Community Impact, Communications, and leadership to advance donor relationships.

Skills

Relationship building

Fundraising

Donor relations

Interpersonal skills

Presentation

Negotiation

Writing

Account management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Andar CRM

Job description

The Major Gifts & Donor Engagement Officer

At United Way of the Bluegrass, we bring people, resources, and partnerships together to create meaningful change across Central Kentucky. We are looking for a relationship-driven fundraiser who can help deepen the connection between people who want to make a difference and the communities their generosity supports.

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, with clear strategies and next steps for each relationship.
• Build authentic year-round relationships through donor meetings, program visits, impact updates, events, volunteer opportunities, and personalized engagement.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts, including opportunities for increased and multi-year commitments.
• Develop donor-specific proposals and giving opportunities that connect individual interests with UWBG’s community impact.
• Partner with the Vice President of Resource Development on major-gift strategy and significant solicitations.
• Identify and qualify new prospects in partnership with our CRM and development research function.
• Create meaningful stewardship strategies that strengthen donor retention and encourage increased investment.
• Maintain accurate donor, pipeline, solicitation, and next-action information in the CRM.
• Collaborate across Resource Development, Community Impact, Communications, and organizational leadership to advance donor relationships.

Requirements

• You do not need to come from one specific career path. We are looking for someone who knows how to build trust, manage important relationships, and confidently ask people to invest in something meaningful.
• At least three years of successful experience in fundraising, major gifts, development, sales, business development, relationship management, or a comparable field.
• Experience cultivating and managing high-value relationships and securing financial commitments.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, writing, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent organization and the ability to independently manage multiple relationships and priorities.
• Comfort working with CRM systems; Andar experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of Central Kentucky’s philanthropic, civic, or business community is helpful, but not required.
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• This role requires regular travel throughout UWBG’s service area and occasional evening and weekend participation in donor and community events.

Grow With Us

This role is designed for someone who wants to grow as a fundraising leader. You will gain direct exposure to major-gift strategy, complex solicitations, executive-level donor relationships, and CEO and Board engagement. UWBG also supports continuing education, professional development, certification, and relevant fundraising conferences.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

BENEFITS

United Way of the Bluegrass offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid and voluntary life insurance options.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Health reimbursement and flexible spending account options.
• Retirement plan participation.
• Paid time off and paid organizational holidays.
• Employee assistance and wellness resources.
• Professional development opportunities.