Major Gifts Officer

Friends of the Children•Fargo, GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Friends of the Children Fargo-Moorhead is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to connect individuals and families with opportunities to invest in their mission. This role involves building and sustaining relationships with individuals and families whose giving can significantly advance the organization's mission. The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors, secure new and increased gifts, and develop multi-year commitments to strengthen long-term financial sustainability. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the role guides donor relationships from introduction through gift requests and ongoing stewardship. The position also supports broader fundraising efforts while dedicating substantial time to donor meetings, personalized follow-up, and major gift fundraising.

Requirements

At least three years of relevant experience in fundraising, relationship-based sales, account management, business development, banking, financial services, or a related field involving a client or donor portfolio.
Demonstrated success building long-term relationships, managing a portfolio, identifying opportunities, and securing new or increased business or philanthropic support.
Ability to describe specific results and your personal contribution, such as portfolio growth, retention, new relationships, or significant sales or gifts secured, while protecting confidential information.
Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Confidence presenting tailored opportunities and asking for a financial commitment.
Strong organization, attention to detail, time management, and follow-through.
Experience using a CRM, donor database, or similar system to track relationships and opportunities.
Sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to confidentiality and ethical relationship management.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with leadership, board members, staff, and community partners.
Commitment to our mission and willingness to learn nonprofit fundraising practices.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Experience working with individuals, families, business owners, or high-net-worth clients.
Experience securing significant gifts, closing high-value sales, or negotiating substantial or multi-year commitments.
Knowledge of the Fargo-Moorhead philanthropic and business communities.
Experience with donor stewardship, donor-advised funds, family foundations, planned giving conversations, grant writing, or impact reporting.
CFRE certification or relevant professional development in fundraising, consultative sales, or relationship management.

Responsibilities

Build donor relationships and secure gifts by identifying and connecting with individuals and families who have the interest and capacity to make significant philanthropic investments.
Manage a portfolio of current donors, qualified prospects, and donors with the potential to increase their giving.
Develop personalized relationship plans with clear opportunities and next steps.
Schedule and conduct introductory, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings.
Create compelling proposals aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities, including youth sponsorships, unrestricted support, matching gifts, and multi-year pledges.
Personally ask for financial commitments, independently or alongside the Executive Director and board members.
Reconnect with former and lapsed donors through thoughtful listening and relationship rebuilding.
Recognize opportunities involving donor-advised funds, family foundations, appreciated assets, and legacy gifts, coordinating with leadership and appropriate professionals.
Keep donors connected to their impact by developing individualized stewardship plans that help donors feel appreciated, informed, and connected.
Provide timely gratitude through calls, handwritten notes, meetings, and personalized impact updates.
Collaborate with program staff to share accurate stories and outcomes while honoring youth and family privacy and consent.
Arrange program tours, small gatherings, and mission-focused experiences.
Coordinate gift commitments, restrictions, recognition preferences, pledge schedules, and reporting with finance and operations staff.
Invite donors to renew or increase their support based on their interests and the impact of prior gifts.
Partner with leadership and support fundraising efforts by helping develop the major gifts strategy, revenue goals, and long-term development plan.
Engage board members and ambassadors in introductions, donor meetings, gift requests, and stewardship.
Prepare donor briefings, proposals, talking points, and follow-up materials.
Build connections within the Fargo-Moorhead philanthropic, professional, and business communities.
Support at least two annual fundraising or donor engagement events, focusing on donor participation, leadership gifts, and follow-up.
Contribute to year-end appeals, annual reports, donor communications, and selected corporate, foundation, and grant opportunities.
Coordinate outreach so donors receive consistent, organized communication.
Maintain records and track progress by keeping accurate donor database records, including conversations, interests, requests, commitments, and next steps.
Maintain an active pipeline of qualified opportunities.
Report regularly on gifts secured, outstanding proposals, donor retention, and projected revenue.
Follow procedures for donor confidentiality, gift documentation, approvals, and financial coordination.