Major Gifts Officer

Make-A-Wish East Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Make-A-Wish East Tennessee is seeking a Major Gifts Officer in Knoxville to lead a donor portfolio and drive major gift solicitations. You will cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, craft compelling proposals, and collaborate with the CEO and board to secure gifts of $10,000+.

In this full-time, exempt role, you will manage a 100–150 donor portfolio, develop engagement strategies, and steward donors through personalized updates and recognition programs, advancing the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 3 years of fundraising, development, or major gifts experience; experience closing $100,000+ gifts preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and CRM database experience (Salesforce preferred).
• Passion for the mission of Make-A-Wish and an empathetic, donor-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management: Build and manage a dynamic portfolio of 100-150 individual donors or prospects with the capacity to make large donations.
• Donor Cultivation & Solicitation: Personally engage with donors and prospects through calls, meetings, events, and presentations to secure one-time and recurring gifts.
• Relationship Building: Deepen donor relationships by understanding their philanthropic goals and aligning them with Make-A-Wish East Tennessee initiatives.
• Proposal Development: Craft compelling proposals, case statements, and impact reports tailored to each donor’s interests and giving capacity.
• Pipeline Development: Leverage data, research, and personal networks to identify new major gift prospects and expand the donor base.
• Recognition & Stewardship: Ensure timely and meaningful donor acknowledgment, updates, and long-term engagement.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Project management

Fundraising experience

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Title: Major Gifts Officer

Location: Knoxville, on-site/in-person

Reports to: President & CEO

Classification: Full-Time | Exempt | Base + Incentive Compensation

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer plays a critical role in advancing the mission of Make-A-Wish East Tennessee by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and philanthropic partners capable of making significant financial contributions. This position is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, developing personalized engagement strategies, and closing large gifts ($10,000+). The role is ideal for a results-driven, relationship-focused fundraising professional who thrives in a mission-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management: Build and manage a dynamic portfolio of 100-150 individual donors or prospects with the capacity to make large donations.
• Donor Cultivation & Solicitation: Personally engage with donors and prospects through calls, meetings, events, and presentations to secure one-time and recurring gifts. Set up meetings for and with the CEO and board members, as appropriate, to focus on solicitation and stewardship of donors.
• Relationship Building: Deepen donor relationships by understanding their philanthropic goals and aligning them with Make-A-Wish East Tennessee initiatives.
• Proposal Development: Craft compelling proposals, case statements, and impact reports tailored to each donor’s interests and giving capacity.
• Pipeline Development: Leverage data, research, and personal networks to identify new major gift prospects and expand the donor base.
• Recognition & Stewardship: Ensure timely and meaningful donor acknowledgment, updates, and long-term engagement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 3 years of successful fundraising, development, or major gifts experience; experience closing $100,000+ gifts preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Goal-oriented, highly motivated, and self-directed.
• Strong project management and CRM database experience (Salesforce preferred).
• Passion for the mission of Make-A-Wish and an empathetic, donor-first mindset.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: Commensurate with experience.
• Incentive Compensation: Performance-based bonus structure tied to quarterly and annual large gift revenue targets.
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability, retirement plan; generous PTO; mission-driven culture.

Success Profile

A successful Major Gifts Officer will be:

• A persuasive storyteller who connects donor passion to impact.
• A disciplined closer who thrives in a performance-based culture.
• A compassionate advocate for children and families served by Make-A-Wish.
• A thoughtful donor steward who deepens relationships and connections to the mission.
• A professional knowledgeable about various planned giving vehicles and non-cash gifts.
• A natural connector who builds networks and creates opportunities.

General Information

Travel throughout Make-A-Wish East Tennessee’s 36-county territory will be required. A criminal

background check will be conducted prior to hiring.