Major Gifts & Community Engagement Officer

The Arc Southern Chesapeake; Prince Frederick (MD); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arc Southern Chesapeake is seeking a Major Gifts & Community Engagement Officer to enhance relationships with individual and corporate donors. This role involves leading donor cultivation efforts and supporting the organization’s mission focused on individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The position is hybrid, allowing some remote work while requiring in-person engagement within Southern Maryland and Anne Arundel County. Candidates should have over seven years of fundraising experience and a strong track record in donor relations.

Qualifications

• Over seven years of experience in fundraising or donor relations.
• Proven track record in cultivating major gifts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate major donors ($5,000+).
• Develop strategies for donor engagement.
• Implement stewardship and recognition practices.
• Assist with events and sponsorships.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Networking

Public speaking

CRM systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

DonorPerfect

Salesforce

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

The Major Gifts & Community Engagement Officer is a newly created position with The Arc Southern Maryland with the specific responsibilities to manage and grow relationships with current and potential individual donors, current and potential corporate partners, and community leaders, especially as the organization expands into Anne Arundel County. The Officer will lead donor cultivation, stewardship, and community partnership efforts to support The Arc’s mission of serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This position will be considered a hybrid role, with some in-person days and ability to work remote some days.

Key Responsibilities:

Donor Cultivation & Major Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual major donors ($5,000+).
• Develop personalized strategies to move donors through the giving pipeline by conducting at least 30-40 face-to-face meetings, site visits, and presentations each year. Work with the Development Director to align major gift efforts with overall fundraising strategy.

Stewardship & Recognition:

• Ensure the highest standards of stewardship, including timely acknowledgments, personalized impact reporting, and meaningful donor recognition.
• With administrative support, ensure all donor and engagement data is accurately tracked in DonorPerfect. Collaborate with the development team to coordinate campaign recognition efforts and ensure a consistent donor experience across giving levels.

Events & Sponsorships:

• Assist with sponsorship identification and solicitations.
• Lead donor engagement efforts during events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Seven plus years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development required.
• Proven track record of cultivating and securing major gifts from individuals and/or corporations.
• Strong networking and relationship‑building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident public speaker.
• Self‑starter, results‑oriented, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout Southern Maryland and Anne Arundel County, including occasional evenings/weekends for events.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license are required.
• Possesses the ability to pass the criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland.

Americans With Disability Specifications (Physical Demands):

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Usual office working conditions.

Work Environment:

• The position requires working within the community settings and the office environment. The ability to travel throughout Southern Maryland and Anne Arundel County is required. Some evening or weekend hours may be necessary for events and workshops.