Major Gifts Officer

MIFA; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MIFA in Memphis, TN is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to develop and execute strategies to grow gifts and strengthen our major giving program. The role targets donors with gifts of $1,000+ and aims to drive a $1.7M fundraising goal through empathetic engagement and clear mission storytelling.

You will lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, collaborating with the Development/Communications team, managing volunteers, and maintaining strong community visibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business administration, or related field.
• Four years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, event planning, or nonprofit development.
• Four years executing fundraising events logistics and campaigns, including meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
• Four years experience cultivating and managing donor relationships, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships.
• Two years project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events and initiatives simultaneously.
• Technically proficient in operating essential office equipment, including computers. Skilled in performing routine office tasks such as document creation, file management, and email communication using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.). Familiar with cybersecurity best practices (e.g., using strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts). Able to learn job-specific software as needed.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement donor strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for current and prospective donors (MIFA major gifts equal to or greater than $1,000).
• Strategically leverage technology and data to improve major gift fundraising, including prospect research and donor pipeline development.
• Collaborate with the Development/Communications team to create marketing materials for major giving donors, including brochures and articles.
• Recruit and manage individual giving fundraising volunteers.
• Uphold consistent and effective communication with the Development/Communications team to support teamwork and high performance.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Event planning

Project management

Sponsorships

Strategic partnerships

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

The Major Gifts Officer will develop and execute strategies to generate new gifts and enhance MIFA’s well-established major giving program(s). This critical role is perfect for a passionate nonprofit practitioner who can read people well, as well as attract and cultivate meaningful relationships with prospective donors with a goal of $1.7M. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate MIFA’s mission is key. The major gifts officer will establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization, with team members, and with outside constituencies. This person should be a self-starter and possess a collaborative spirit.

Develop and implement strategies for major gift fundraising by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, leveraging technology for growth, and collaborating with the team on communications and volunteer management.

• Create and implement brief, intermediate, and long-term major gifts donor strategies that include identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for both current and prospective donors (MIFA major gifts equal to or greater than $1,000)
• Strategically leverage technology and available data to improve and grow major gift fundraising, including prospect research, donor pipeline development/progression, and appropriate growth of donor gifts
• Collaborate with the Development/Communications team to create marketing materials for major giving donors, including brochures, articles, etc., as necessary
• Recruit and manage individual giving fundraising volunteers
• Uphold consistent and effective communication with the Development/Communications team to support positive team dynamics and high-performance results

Maintain community visibility through events and networking while strengthening the Circle of Hope brand to engage and highlight the value of MIFA's major gift donors.

• Maintain visibility in the community through speaking engagements, participation in events, and face-to-face networking
• Strengthen the Circle of Hope brand, bringing MIFA’s major gift donors together to understand their commitment and value to MIFA

Steward major giving relationships by cultivating donors, maintaining a stewardship program, and developing connections through personal visits, calls, and correspondence.

• Steward major giving relationships to fully engage all existing and potential donors and volunteers; act as the key liaison to funders
• Establish and maintain a donor cultivation cycle and gift stewardship program to ensure that new major giving donors are developed appropriately
• Develop relationships through personal visits, phone calls, written correspondence as appropriate

Other Responsibilities

• Exemplary writing and speaking skills that compel individuals to action
• Promote 100% accountability for the quality of development performance
• Be committed to lifelong learning and personal growth

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Four years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, event planning, or nonprofit development
• Four years executing fundraising events logistics and campaigns, including meeting or exceeding revenue goals
• Four years experience cultivating and managing donor relationships, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships
• Two years project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events and initiatives simultaneously
• Technically proficient in operating essential office equipment, including computers. Skilled in performing routine office tasks such as document creation, file management, and email communication using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.). Familiar with cybersecurity best practices (e.g., using strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts). Able to learn job-specific software as needed.