Major Gifts Officer SY 2025 - 2026 (12-month role)

Nlcphs; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution in the North Lawndale community is seeking a passionate Major Gifts Officer to lead its capital campaign and manage annual fundraising efforts. This role involves developing relationships with major donors, executing personalized engagement strategies, and ensuring donor stewardship. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership to raise significant funds for educational initiatives and community impact. If you are a dynamic fundraiser eager to make a difference in education and social justice, this opportunity is your chance to contribute to a legacy of excellence.

Benefits

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

$50K Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability (Employer Paid)

Long-Term Disability (Employer Paid)

Accident Insurance (Employer Paid)

Voluntary LifeLock Identity Theft Protection

Professional Development Opportunities

Paid Time Off

Stipend

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in major gift fundraising with proven success.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage high-net-worth individuals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for soliciting major gifts over $10,000.
• Cultivate relationships with high-net-worth donors and ensure effective communication.

Skills

Major Gift Fundraising

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Donor Relationship Management

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nonprofit Management

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing or Communications

Tools

Donor Management Databases

Prospect Research Tools

Job description

Position Summary:

North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP), a cornerstone institution in the North Lawndale community for the past 25 years, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Major Gifts Officer to spearhead its capital campaign in alignment with the organization's strategic plan and manage annual fundraising efforts.

NLCP's mission is to empower students with the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond, while also fostering the development of transformational leaders. The Director of Development will play a critical role in advancing this mission through strategic fundraising initiatives and relationship-building with a wide range of stakeholders.

This position is ideal for a dynamic, results-driven fundraiser who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment. The Gifts Officer will work closely with the CEO and other organizational leaders to execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to raise $1.3 million annually and aggressively complete a 3-year campaign of $25 million for capital projects. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about education and social justice to contribute to NLCP's legacy of excellence and community impact.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• $50K Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (Employer Paid)
• Long-Term Disability (Employer Paid)
• Accident Insurance (Employer Paid)
• Voluntary LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
• Additional Voluntary Benefits (Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness)
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Paid Time Off
• Stipend

POSITION SUMMARY (Major Gifts Officer)

The Major Gifts Officer will work alongside the Grant Writer. They will be responsible for developing and managing relationships with major donors and prospects to secure significant philanthropic support for the organization. The ideal candidate will work closely with the senior leadership team and board members to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Gift Solicitation:
  • Develop and implement strategies for soliciting major gifts ($10,000+) to ensure the success of the campaign.
  • Work closely with senior leadership to ensure effective donor tasks and alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Prepare proposals, funding requests, and other materials to support major gift solicitation efforts.
• Donor Relations & Cultivation:
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individual donors and prospects.
  • Cultivate relationships with current and potential major donors, ensuring regular and meaningful communication.
  • Organize and execute personalized engagement strategies, including meetings, events, and written communications.
• Stewardship:
  • Ensure donors receive timely recognition, appreciation, and updates on the impact of their gifts.
  • Work to foster long-term relationships, ensuring donor retention and increased giving over time.
• Campaign Support:
  • Assist in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and initiatives that target major gifts.
  • Track and report on campaign progress, setting and meeting fundraising goals.
• Collaboration & Leadership:
  • Work in close collaboration with other team members, including development staff, communications, and program leads.
  • Attend donor meetings, events, and networking functions to build relationships and represent the organization.
• Administrative Tasks:
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the database.
  • Prepare regular reports on fundraising progress and strategies.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in major gift fundraising or a related field with proven track record of closing high-level gifts.
• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as: Nonprofit Management, Fundraising or Philanthropy, Business Administration, Marketing or Communications, Public Relations or Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Psychology)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and engage high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience with donor management databases and prospect research tools.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising for a school.
• Knowledge of planned giving strategies.
• Comfort with public speaking and presenting to large groups.

As a condition of employment with North Lawndale College Prep, candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.