Major Gifts Specialist

GrowNYC•New York, NY

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

GrowNYC is a 54-year-old environmental nonprofit organization helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. GrowNYC Programs include: Our network of Greenmarkets, Farmstands, and the work of GrowNYC Wholesale ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food. We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants and more. We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment. Major Gifts Specialist (Full-time): Position Summary The Major Gifts Specialist is responsible for growing and managing a portfolio of HNW individual donors giving significant annual contributions, including board members. This role builds strong donor relationships through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, with a goal of increasing donor engagement and lifetime value. They partner closely with the CEO, Advancement leadership, and board members to develop customized giving strategies and ensure sustained support for GrowNYC’s mission. This position is ideal for a strategic relationship-builder with significant experience in major gifts, planned giving, and donor pipeline development.

Requirements

Professional fundraising certification Required (CFRE, CAP®, AFP training, or equivalent)
At least 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a strong focus on individual donor cultivation and stewardship
Demonstrated success securing and stewarding high five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors
Excellent relationship-building and donor management skills, including comfort engaging high-net-worth individuals
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, tailored proposals and donor materials
Strategic thinker with the ability to manage complex relationships, move multiple projects forward, and prioritize effectively
High level of attention to detail, follow-through, and organizational skills
Familiarity with fundraising databases and tools (Raiser’s Edge or equivalent)
Collaborative spirit, proactive problem-solver, and emotionally intelligent team member
Comfortable representing GrowNYC externally with professionalism, clarity, and purpose
Commitment to GrowNYC’s mission and values, including a demonstrated understanding of equity and inclusion
Proven capacity for conducting “cold calls” and performing various outreach initiatives to engage potential leads.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of NYC’s philanthropic landscape and comfort working with diverse communities
Experience working alongside senior leadership and board members to execute donor strategy
Exposure to planned giving concepts or legacy giving conversations
Familiarity with sustainable agriculture, food justice, or environmental programming is desired.
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, communications, business, or related)
Multilingual or culturally fluent in communities served by GrowNYC

Responsibilities

Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 current and prospective major donors.
Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation plans, leveraging donor interests and GrowNYC priorities.
Partner with CEO and senior staff on high-level solicitations.
Conduct at least 10–12 substantive donor touchpoints monthly, including visits, calls, and proposals.
Prepare briefing memos, follow-up letters, and personalized acknowledgements.
Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities by conducting in-depth prospect research, analyzing donor data, and uncovering potential individuals donors.
Plan and execute 2–3 small cultivation/stewardship events annually for major donors and prospects.
Create personalized stewardship communications, including impact updates, insider briefings, and donor spotlights.
Ensure appropriate donor recognition and long-term retention strategy.
Collaborate with the board of directors and gala host committee members to secure individual ticket and table purchases, and lead stewardship and cultivation of gala guests.
Collaborate with the Individual Giving Lead to identify and graduate annual donors into the major giving pipeline.
Collaborate with the Institutional Partnership Specialist to identify existing corporate donors for personal/major giving development.
Maintain accurate donor records and activity tracking in Raiser’s Edge.
Participate in strategic planning around donor relations, board giving, and leadership engagement.
Build rapport with existing and new members of the Board.
Engage with relevant Board members to channel and pursue opportunities with prospect donors.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
life insurance
long-term disability
incentive savings plan
paid time off
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
potential for parental leave for full-time regular employees who have been employed with GrowNYC for 175 days
FSA programs