Major Gifts Officer

UTEC; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 96,000; Full time

Job summary

UTEC is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to manage donor relationships and secure significant gifts supporting youth development and social justice initiatives. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young adults in the community through personalized donor engagement strategies.

Benefits

3 weeks of vacation plus a week off between Christmas and New Year

$6,500 annually for professional development

Paid sabbatical after 3 years

Health, dental, and vision insurance from day one

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in major gifts fundraising.
• Demonstrated success in securing gifts of $10,000 and above.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75–150 major donors and prospects.
• Conduct 8-10 meaningful donor contacts per month.
• Develop and implement donor engagement strategies.

Skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fundraising or nonprofit management

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Job Title: Major Gifts Officer

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Type: Full-Time

Category: Development

Salary:$96,000

Job Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more, supporting programs that nurture the ambition of young adults to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. The MGO will cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through personalized strategies that reflect their philanthropic interests. You will report to the Chief Development Officer and work closely with our dynamic Development team.

Reasons to Love this Role

• Impact: Your work will advance UTEC’s mission in several highlighted areas.
  • Innovations in job training and wraparound support for young adults ages 18-25
  • Launching a new transitional housing program
  • Reducing stigma around mental health issues and expanding mental health support
  • Advocacy for policy and systems change in the criminal justice system
  • Launch of a new food truck social enterprise
  • Training and technical assistance for other youth-serving and violence-prevention organizations
• Work-life balance: A full week off between the Christmas and New Year holidays, a minimum of three weeks vacation per year, and 3 pm early closure on Summer Fridays. After 3 years on staff, UTEC employees are also offered a paid three-week sabbatical with up to $1,500 in related expenses.
• Career advancement: An individualized professional development plan and up to $6,500 per year for training that you choose related to development operations and other aspects of philanthropy, DEI, social justice, or leadership development.
• Attention to wellness! UTEC offers on-site exercise and health classes and a Benepass fund for wellness activities, as you define them. UTEC also prioritizes mental health by reimbursing staff for mental health co-pays.
• DEI Values: Our culture is like no other - DEI training, team-building activities, and celebrations are just some of the ways UTEC builds community.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75–150 major donors and prospects.
• Develop and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct a minimum of 8-10 meaningful donor contacts per month.
• Partner with program staff to develop compelling donor engagement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records in CRM (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge).
• Support fundraising events and represent the organization externally

Required Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated success in securing gifts of $10,000 and above.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proficient in Google platform or Microsoft Office Suite.
• Attention to detail.
• Commitment to UTEC’s principles of social change, diversity, equity, inclusion, and community building.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in major gifts or individual giving.
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Background on UTEC

UTEC is a youth development and social justice organization. The mission is to ignite and nurture the ambition of young adults to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success.We are dedicated to helping young people ages 18-25 in the communities of Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill Massachusetts overcome the very real challenges of interrupted education, gang involvement, and incarceration. We believe that: If young adults who are caught up in the school-to-prison pipeline are productively engaged in UTEC activities and supports for an extended period during the critical ages of 18-25, then by 25, they will have the skills and resilience they need to pursue their dreams and avoid further involvement in the criminal justice system. For more info, please visitwww.utecinc.org.

UTEC’s vision and pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is to honor, value, support, and protect individuals' lived experiences and expertise regardless of their position or title in the organization. This is how we create a space of comfort, courage, and growth. See the full pledge here.

Compensation

$96,000 plus benefits. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 3 weeks of vacation plus a week off between the Christmas and New Year holidays, 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, and 3 bereavement days, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one. We also offer life insurance, first-time homeowners down payment assistance, cost-of-living increases, a paid sabbatical after three years, and a 401K retirement plan with up to $2,000 savings match. See more about our benefits here.

UTEC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UTEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.