Major Gifts Officer

The Kennedy Center

3d • $81,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer will work in close partnership with the Trump Kennedy Center Development team to achieve annual fundraising goals through the personal cultivation and management of a portfolio of approximately 75-100 donors and major gift prospects capable of giving $15,000 and above annually. The role is responsible for stewarding donors toward increased philanthropic investment in The Trump Kennedy Center, which includes The Washington National Opera, aligning individual giving strategies with institutional priorities. The incumbent will contribute to department-wide strategic planning, campaigns, events, and other forward-looking initiatives that advance the fundraising goals of the Center.
Responsibilities include identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects, ticket buyers, and existing donors capable of making or upgrading to $15,000+ annual gifts in support of both unrestricted and restricted priorities across The Trump Kennedy Center, which includes that WNO. This includes developing tailored solicitation letters, proposals, donor briefings, campaign strategies, and maintaining accurate data tracking. The position requires strong written and verbal communication skills and close collaboration with internal colleagues to expand and strengthen a shared pipeline of prospects, including Circles members and ticket buyers with the capacity to become major gift donors supporting The Trump Kennedy Center, which includes WNO and broader institutional initiatives. The Major Gifts Officer must demonstrate sound judgment and discretion in prioritizing assignments and managing multiple time-sensitive projects involving concurrent deadlines and active donor engagement. A proactive communication style, collaborative approach, and solution-oriented mindset are essential. As a member of a highly collaborative fundraising team, the Major Gifts Officer will contribute not only to their individual portfolio goals but also to broader strategic planning and cross-functional support efforts that advance the overall development objectives of The Trump Kennedy Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher level or applicable professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of development or related experience required.
• Significant experience in personal solicitation of five- and six-figure gifts in a sophisticated, complex environment preferred.
• Superior organizational, written, and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of and experience with donor databases to manage solicitation of information and campaign progress.
• Ability to foresee fundraising opportunities and give attention to detail while at the same time focusing on the long-term perspective.
• Ability to initiate and cultivate ongoing relationships with current donors and new prospects through meetings, phone calls, and occasional entertaining.
• Availability to attend Trump Kennedy Center, Donor, WNO, NSO and other events outside of normal business hours.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally as necessary, spending 50% or more time cultivating and soliciting prospects and upgrading donors capable of giving at the Major Gifts level annually.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area.
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of the performing arts is preferred.
• Experience with Tessitura is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Actively solicits and stewards an assigned portfolio through in-person meetings, telephone, email, and written communication, cultivating meaningful donor relationships that advance philanthropic support for The Trump Kennedy Center.
• Personalizes donor engagement using research, data insights, and donor-centered best practices to ensure consistent, strategic, and mission-aligned interactions across the donor lifecycle in support of The Trump Kennedy Center priorities.
• Tracks campaign data and donor interactions to inform future fundraising strategy; establishes individualized goals for each donor based on giving history, capacity, and philanthropic potential across The Trump Kennedy Center, which includes the WNO.
• Leads and supports donor cultivation experiences and events for assigned portfolio donors, as opportunities arise, in alignment with programming, campaigns, and fundraising strategies for The Trump Kennedy Center, which includes WNO.
• Prepares timely, accurate, and compelling written communications for an assigned portfolio of donors, including solicitations and acknowledgments; ensures accuracy across billing, financial records, and contribution documentation in coordination with Development Operations and institutional standards.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across Prospect Development, Intelligence, and Analytics (PDIA) and the broader Development team to strategically grow the Major Gifts program, including:
• Presenting growth strategies for current donors with capacity to increase annual giving in support of The Trump Kennedy Center;
• Developing and advancing strategies to identify, qualify, and cultivate new major gift prospects aligned with institutional priorities;
• Assessing current and lapsed donors' interests, capacity, and inclination using departmental prospect management systems to inform targeted outreach, portfolio refinement, and long-term growth.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees