Major Gifts Development Officer — Hybrid & Impact

Make-A-Wish® Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Make-A-Wish Illinois is seeking a Development Officer to lead major gift fundraising, managing a portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospects, with gifts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The goal is to generate approximately $1.5 million to $3 million in personally solicited revenue each year, determined in partnership with the Director of Individual Giving and the Chief Development Officer.

You will develop tailored cultivation plans, advance moves management, prepare proposals, and collaborate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, or an equivalent combination of education and professional fundraising experience.
• 5+ years of fundraising experience, with a focus on individual major giving, including at least 3 years of direct portfolio management.
• Demonstrated track record of personally closing major gifts of $10,000 and above and meeting or exceeding annual revenue goals.
• Proficiency with donor CRM systems and Microsoft 365; Salesforce or a comparable donor management system is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of approximately 100 to 150 major gift donors and prospects, with primary responsibility for gifts in the $10,000 to $100,000 range.
• Builds a portfolio capable of delivering an annual fundraising goal of approximately $1.5 million to $3 million in personally solicited revenue, set each year in partnership with the Director of Individual Giving and Chief Development Officer (CDO).
• Executes a disciplined moves management strategy for each donor, advancing relationships through face-to-face visits, calls, written proposals, and personalized stewardship.
• Develops tailored cultivation and solicitation plans that align donor interests with MAWI funding priorities, including wish grants, signature programs, and strategic initiatives.
• Identifies and qualifies new major gift prospects to maintain a healthy, growing pipeline.
• Prepares proposals, presentations, gift agreements, and stewardship materials that communicate impact and share the power of a wish.
• Partners with the gift planning function to identify and refer planned giving and non-cash gift opportunities within the portfolio.
• Engages Board members and senior volunteers in the cultivation and solicitation of assigned donors as appropriate.
• Maintains accurate, timely records of all donor activity, moves, and revenue in the CRM, and reports on portfolio performance against goal.
• Represents MAWI at wish celebrations, donor events, and community functions, including some evenings and weekends.
• Travels across the state to visit with current and future donors to cultivate and strengthen relationships when needed.

Skills

Moves management

Relationship building

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft 365

CRM systems

Job description

Make-A-Wish Illinois is seeking a Development Officer to lead major gift fundraising, managing a portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospects, with gifts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The goal is to generate approximately $1.5 million to $3 million in personally solicited revenue each year, determined in partnership with the Director of Individual Giving and the Chief Development Officer.

You will develop tailored cultivation plans, advance moves management, prepare proposals, and collaborate