Major Gift Officer

Friends of the Earth • Washington, DC

10d • $105,000 - $135,000 • Remote

About The Position

Friends of the Earth is a progressive environmental organization dedicated to protecting the planet and its people. As part of the global Friends of the Earth International federation, the organization works at the intersection of environmental protection, economic policy, and social justice. The Membership and Development team plays a crucial role in engaging supporters and fueling the organization's mission. The Major Gift Officer is a key fundraising position focused on cultivating strong relationships with donors, strategically moving mid-level supporters towards major gift giving, and advancing the organization's fundraising goals. This role involves managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, developing and executing engagement plans, and collaborating with colleagues to align donor interests with funding priorities, ultimately contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of the individual giving program.

Requirements

• Commitment to the organization's mission and environmental advocacy.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience, including at least 3 years focused on major gifts.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Proven success directly securing major gifts and advancing donors through the giving pipeline.
• Experience developing and implementing individualized donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage donors effectively in person and remotely.
• Experience using donor data and engagement insights to inform fundraising strategies and portfolio management.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 30% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates located in or near Washington, DC, New York City, or the San Francisco Bay Area are preferred.
• Candidates residing elsewhere should have reasonable access to a commercial airport to support frequent domestic business travel.
• Experience working in environmental, advocacy, public interest, or mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with donor database systems and fundraising analytics tools.
• Experience upgrading mid-level donors into major gift relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 140 donors and prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Secure four-figure, five-figure and larger gifts from qualified donors through direct solicitation.
• Manage a portfolio revenue target of approximately $1.4M–$2M.
• Develop and implement individualized engagement plans that deepen donor relationships and increase philanthropic investment.
• Conduct donor meetings, personalized outreach, and stewardship activities that strengthen donor commitment to the organization's mission.
• Maintain accurate portfolio plans, donor records, and engagement strategies to support effective relationship management and fundraising outcomes.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate mid-level donors with the capacity and inclination to become major gift supporters.
• Build and maintain a sustainable pipeline for future major donors through strategic prospecting and donor engagement.
• Analyze donor interests, engagement patterns, and giving trends to inform cultivation and upgrade strategies.
• Partner with development colleagues to support coordinated donor movement across fundraising programs.
• Partner with program and development staff to connect donor interests with organizational priorities, campaigns, and funding opportunities.
• Contribute donor insights and fundraising intelligence to strengthen organizational fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure coordinated donor engagement, stewardship, and solicitation efforts.
• Support a culture of philanthropy by serving as an informed and strategic fundraising partner across the organization.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• 25 vacation days in the first year
• 15 paid holidays
• 20 sick days
• 3 floating holidays
• Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August)
• Parental leave
• Sabbatical options
• Professional development stipend
• IT stipend
• Education reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level