Major Gifts Officer

Metro Caring • Denver, CO

1d • $90,000 - $125,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a senior fundraising leader responsible for advancing Metro Caring’s major gifts strategy, capital campaign success, and long-term donor relationships. Reporting directly to the CEO – Visionary and working closely with the Development Director, this role leads moves management, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts of $10,000 and above, with a strong emphasis on six and seven figure gifts.
The MGO actively manages a robust pipeline—re-engaging lapsed donors, advancing long-standing prospects, and closing transformational gifts from individuals, donor-advised funds, and family foundations. We utilize the Benevon model as a framework for engagement (experience welcome, not required).
The ideal candidate brings warmth, confidence, a good sense of humor, and the courage to lead clear donor conversations. You are comfortable engaging the moveable middle, values aligned, persuadable donors; and inviting them into deeper partnership. You have a proven track record of closing significant gifts, work effectively with CEOs and boards, and know how to manage up in complex fundraising environments. You'll work collaboratively across our staff and volunteer team, engage board members and staff leaders strategically, and help position Metro Caring as an attractive investment for donors who want to make lasting impact.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of nonprofit major gifts fundraising experience, with demonstrated success closing six figure gifts ($100,000+)
• Proven experience leading or contributing significantly to capital campaigns, including donor cultivation, solicitation strategy, and timeline management
• Strong experience with Salesforce or similar CRM systems, using data to inform strategy, forecasting, and donor engagement
• Exceptional storytelling, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to connect mission, impact, and community leadership in compelling ways
• Experience working closely with CEOs and senior leaders, including preparing executives for donor engagement, supporting executive-level solicitations, and effectively managing up
• Comfort maintaining an active schedule of in-person and virtual donor meetings
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment that reflects Metro Caring’s values and community
• Deep dedication to community-centered fundraising that honors the leadership and lived experience of those most impacted by hunger and housing insecurity
• Understanding of the systemic causes of hunger and housing insecurity and the role philanthropy can play in long-term change
• High level of discretion, integrity, and ethical judgment in fundraising and relationship management
• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative, engaged team member
• Entrepreneurial mindset for identifying resources, building partnerships, and generating community support
• Recognition that this role advances not only Metro Caring’s work, but the broader movement for food sovereignty and housing justice
• Strong relationship-building skills paired with the courage to ask, leading clear, values-based solicitation conversations with confidence and warmth

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with affordable housing development, community-led planning processes, or multi-year capital campaigns
• Experience raising seven- or eight-figure gifts and/or securing multi-year pledges
• Fundraising experience within organizations working at the intersection of multiple socio-economic justice issues
• Existing connections within Denver’s philanthropic community

Responsibilities

• Lead major gifts strategy and execution for Metro Caring's $22.5 million capital campaign supporting our mixed-use affordable housing and expanded services development
• Work closely with the CEO - Visionary to identify, cultivate, and solicit leadership-level donors
• Develop compelling campaign materials that communicate both the vision and community-led nature of this transformative project with support of capital campaign consultants
• Coordinate, with campaign consultants, committees, and volunteers to achieve campaign milestones within timelines
• Track campaign commitments and ensure proper stewardship throughout multi-year pledge periods
• Integrate capital campaign efforts with ongoing annual giving to build sustainable donor relationships beyond the campaign
• Manage a portfolio of 150+ major donors and prospects, with emphasis on gifts of $10,000 and above
• Build and implement annual and long-range cultivation plans in partnership with the Development Director
• Conduct high-level donor cultivation and make direct solicitations, engaging leadership and board members strategically as appropriate
• Prepare and maintain accurate portfolio strategies, pipelines, and cultivation plans
• Lead creative development of innovative gift proposals to inspire transformational giving
• Partner with the CEOs to align major gifts strategy with strategic plan goals, operating needs, and capital campaign priorities
• Collaborate with the Grants and Foundation Relations Manager to strengthen relationships with community foundations, philanthropy advisors, and donor-advised funds, creating pathways to major donor prospects
• Support the annual strategy and growth of the Roots to Rise Society, including member recruitment and special programming
• Participate in departmental portfolio reviews, maintain organized stewardship systems, and ensure timely updates to constituent records
• Participate in the annual organizational budgeting process, including income forecasting and pipeline development
• Utilize Benevon-informed engagement strategies to guide donor journeys while adapting approaches based on donor readiness, relationship history, and organizational priorities
• Design and implement donor solicitation and stewardship strategies for major gift prospects
• Ensure timely, thoughtful donor acknowledgment and stewardship across all giving levels
• Prepare high-quality proposals, presentations, case materials, and donor communications
• Engage board members, executive ambassadors, and the Stewardship Committee in cultivation and fundraising efforts
• Participate in fundraising events and provide regular progress updates to senior leadership
• Support implementation of campaign-related events and cultivation activities
• Assist in identifying and soliciting major gift prospects for future organizational initiatives
• Serve on and lead, when appropriate, campaign and fundraising committees
• Help plan specific fundraising and cultivation events aligned with campaign phases and organizational priorities
• Prepare and monitor donor portfolio income projections, process metrics, and outcomes reports
• Utilize Salesforce to track and manage donor/prospect portfolio, monitoring progress toward fundraising goals
• Ensure timely, accurate pipeline and year-end forecasting
• Partner with Finance to support proper recording, stewardship, and analysis of major gifts and pledges
• Leverage data and analytics to inform strategy and demonstrate impact

Benefits

• Metro Caring currently operates on a four-day, 32-hour work week for full-time staff, with Fridays off.
• 120 hours per year of paid time off, as well as paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid family leave.
• We also offer participation after 3 months of employment in our 401K retirement plan with a 5% employer-paid match.
• Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, and Short Term Disability all available.
• Metro Caring supports flexible work schedules, and an organizational culture that centers on our mission and values, the pursuit of equity, continuous improvement, and community leadership in all we do.
• Relocation assistance available for candidates moving to the Denver area.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed