Major Gifts Officer

Perkins School for the Blind•Watertown, MA

About The Position

Perkins is an international NGO focused on education, training, support, advocacy, and innovation for children and people with disabilities. The Major Gifts Officer will help expand fundraising revenue and prepare for a comprehensive campaign tied to Perkins’ 2029 bicentennial. The role focuses on securing gifts of $10,000 or more from high-capacity individual donors to support annual, multi-year, endowed, and planned giving priorities. The officer manages a portfolio of 150 or more donors and prospects, develops and executes cultivation and solicitation strategies, identifies new prospects, and prepares customized donor communications. The role works closely with program leaders, board members, and development colleagues, maintains accurate donor records, and travels as needed for donor visits, cultivation meetings, and organizational events. The salary range is $91,500 to $129,225, depending on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Five or more years of successful major gift fundraising experience is preferred; candidates with a proven track record in high-level relationship management or luxury sales will also be considered.
Genuine passion for Perkins’ mission and ability to translate complex programs into compelling, high-stakes solicitations.
Skill with Salesforce and Google Workspace.
Exceptional writing and presentation skills, including the ability to draft formal proposals and host donors at campus events.
Commitment to handling sensitive donor information with confidentiality and integrity.

Nice To Haves

Experience with international fundraising is a significant plus.

Responsibilities

Manage and steward a portfolio of 150 or more donors and prospects capable of making five- and six-figure contributions.
Develop and execute targeted donor cultivation and solicitation strategies, maintain an active visit schedule, and meet activity metrics for proposals, closed gifts, and prospect meetings.
Identify, research, and qualify new major gift prospects in preparation for the 2029 bicentennial campaign.
Draft customized donor proposals, briefings, contact reports, and stewardship materials.
Partner with program leaders, board members, and development colleagues to build compelling cases for support.
Accurately and promptly record donor interactions, activity logs, and pipeline statuses in the database.
Travel as needed for face-to-face donor visits, cultivation meetings, and organizational events.