Major Gifts Officer

Association of Independent Schools in New England; Hingham (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, MA seeks a Major Gifts Officer to join the Advancement team. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors to support the school's mission and priorities rooted in the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

You will manage a portfolio of about 100–150 prospects, develop personalized strategies, and work with alumnae, parents, grandparents, and friends to meet fundraising goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5-7 years of fundraising experience with focus on major gifts.
• Proven success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, detail oriented.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising software (Bloomerang preferred).
• Commitment to Notre Dame Academy's Catholic mission.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 prospects/donors.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Solicit and close 5-6 figure gifts for Annual Fund and Capital/Endowment.
• Prepare gift proposals and provide donor stewardship and reporting.
• Collaborate with the President and Executive Director of Advancement.
• Maintain accurate donor records and track progress toward goals.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor cultivation/solicitation

Donor stewardship

Relationship building

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Bloomerang database

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Bloomerang

Job description

• Bachelor’s degree required

Join us at Notre Dame Academy – Hingham, an all-female college preparatory high school dedicated to empowering young women in grades 6-12. As a vibrant Catholic learning community sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, we focus on personal faith formation, academic excellence, and social responsibility.

Overview

The Major Gifts Officer at Notre Dame Academy is a key member of the Advancement team, and works under the supervision of the Executive Director of Advancement and partners with the President to advance the School’s comprehensive fundraising efforts. The Major Gift Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors in support of the Academy’s mission and strategic priorities rooted in the hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

This role plays a critical part in building a strong pipeline of major donors by deepening relationships with alumnae, parents, grandparents, and friends of the Academy.

Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 major gift prospects and donors
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Solicit and close 5-6 figure gifts for Annual Fund and Capital/Endowment purposes
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals and performance metrics
• Prepare and present gift proposals aligned with institutional priorities
• Build meaningful, mission-driven relationships with alumnae, parents, grandparents, trustees, and friends
• Conduct regular in-person visits and personalized outreach
• Engage prospects through campus visits, events, and volunteer opportunities
• Ensure timely and thoughtful stewardship, including impact reporting and donor recognition
• Serve as an ambassador for Notre Dame Academy, articulating its mission, vision, and funding priorities
• Other duties as assigned

Partnership with Executive Director of Advancement

• Align major gift strategies with overall Advancement goals and the Academy’s strategic plan
• Collaborate on building and strengthening a sustainable major gift pipeline through coordinated annual fund and engagement efforts
• Provide insight and strategy on donor capacity, readiness, and engagement opportunities
• Campaign planning and execution
• Work with the Advancement team to identify, research, and qualify new major gift prospects
• Leverage data and relationships to expand the donor base and increase giving levels
• Partner with Advancement colleagues on annual giving, alumnae engagement, parent programs, and events to identify and cultivate prospects
• Collaborate with the President, Executive Director of Advancement, and volunteer leaders on donor strategy and engagement

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions in the Advancement database (Bloomerang preferred)
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and portfolio activity
• Prepare donor briefings, reports, and pipeline updates in collaboration with the Executive Director of Advancement
• Ensure adherence to best practices in donor confidentiality and data management

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a focus on major gifts
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising software (Bloomerang preferred)
• Commitment to the mission and values of Notre Dame Academy and Catholic education

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and donor-centered approach
• Collaboration and partnership with leadership
• Discretion, professionalism, and integrity
• Initiative and results orientation
• Ability to engage and inspire philanthropic support
• Flexibility to work some evenings/weekends for school events.

• Notre Dame Academy seeks to create a working and learning environment that reflects our society and community free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws.