Major Gift Officer

International Institute of New England; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Institute of New England (IINE) is hiring a Major Gift Officer (MGO) responsible for building relationships with potential donors and generating revenue through major gifts. This role requires strong sales skills, as well as the ability to communicate IINE's mission effectively to drive funding opportunities.

The MGO will manage a portfolio of 125–175 prospects, undergo pipeline development, and maintain accurate records in Salesforce. The position offers a hybrid work environment with travel for donor meetings, emphasizing both in-person and virtual interactions.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to prospect, build relationships, and close revenue.
• Demonstrated success in revenue generation.
• Willingness to commit to professional development in non-profit practices.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of 125–175 prospects.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects.
• Develop and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Skills

Strong sales acumen

Excellent interpersonal skills

Results-driven

Organizational skills

CRM systems experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

3-7 years of experience in sales or fundraising

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Overview

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) is a frontline revenue generator responsible for building and managing a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making major gifts ($10,000+). The position requires a passion for our mission of serving refugees and immigrants combined with a desire to fill a role that is fundamentally sales-oriented, requiring a proactive, goal-driven professional who excels at identifying opportunities, cultivating relationships, and confidently making asks.

At the International Institute of New England (IINE), the MGO advances a mission of supporting refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers in building new lives of safety, stability, and opportunity. IINE delivers integrated services including English language learning, workforce development, youth and family support, and legal services, helping thousands of individuals each year achieve economic mobility and long-term community integration. The MGO plays a critical role in translating this impact into compelling funding opportunities for donors.

The MGO will focus on pipeline development, donor qualification, relationship management, and closing gifts, using disciplined sales strategies and data-informed decision-making. While nonprofit experience is valued, demonstrated success in sales, business development, or relationship-based revenue generation is equally or more important.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a dynamic portfolio (125–175 prospects) with clear qualification and segmentation
• Identify, qualify, and prioritize new external major gift prospects through independent research, referrals, and outreach
• Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce, including moves management and forecasting
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies with the expectation of progressively increasing private fundraising targets over the next 5 fiscal years
• Conduct a high volume of donor meetings (virtual and in-person), with a strong focus on advancing toward asks
• Confidently and consistently solicit and close major gifts aligned with annual revenue targets
• Track and report against metrics including asks, commitments, revenue, and pipeline movement

Relationship Management

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with donors and prospects
• Communicate IINE’s mission and impact in compelling, donor-centered language
• Partner with program and leadership staff to align donor interests with funding opportunities
• Work closely with Advancement leadership on revenue forecasting and strategy
• Collaborate with marketing and programs to ensure strong donor engagement materials
• Contribute to campaign and organizational fundraising initiatives

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong sales acumen: proven ability to prospect, build relationships, and close revenue
• Comfort with direct solicitation, responding to questions, and adjusting solicitations
• Results-driven with a track record of meeting or exceeding financial targets
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of organization, follow-through, and pipeline management discipline
• Ability to analyze data and adjust strategy to maximize revenue outcomes
• Comfort using CRM systems (Salesforce or similar) to track activity and performance
• Self-motivated, resilient, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• 3-7 years of experience in sales, business development, account management, or major gifts fundraising
• Demonstrated success in revenue generation (meeting quotas, closing deals, or securing gifts)
• Prior nonprofit fundraising experience is a plus, but not required for candidates with strong sales backgrounds
• For those without nonprofit fundraising experience, willingness to commit to self-directed professional development to learn new non-profit best practice, as needed

Work Environment Conditions

• Hybrid office environment with regular in-person meetings and events
• Frequent regional travel for donor meetings; occasional evening or weekend work

Physical Demands

• Ability to independently travel regionally (mostly in Massachusetts and Lowell) for meetings and events
• Occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling materials (boxes, equipment) of 50 pounds or more.
• Continuous sitting (or standing) at a desk for long periods of time.
• Occasional driving to and from IINE offices as needed.
• Frequent bending, reaching overhead, and reaching at or below shoulder level required.