Major Gifts Officer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Qualify, nurture, solicit, and manage a portfolio of major-gift donors and prospects capable of making commitments in the five- and six-figure range.

• Oversee the entire gift cycle for a designated portfolio within the Intellectual Builders donor community and the corporate giving segment.

• Handle a portfolio of 100–150 major-gift prospects and donors.

• Create and execute tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies.

• Maintain a personal solicitation schedule, conduct donor visits, present funding opportunities, and secure gifts and multi-year commitments.

• Engage in moves management and participate in portfolio review activities.

• Identify and assess new prospects, including significant direct cold outreach efforts.

• Foster relationship development within the Intellectual Builders donor community and the corporate giving segment.

• Collaborate with Development Operations, Portfolio Management, Foundations, and Communications & Marketing teams.

• Involve executive leadership, program scholars, and Programs staff in cultivating high-level donor relationships, intellectual content, site visits, and securing key commitments.

• Keep accurate records of portfolio activities in Salesforce, including opportunities, contact reports, cultivation status, and solicitation plans.

• Assist with pipeline planning and gift forecasting.

• Report directly to the Managing Director of Development and Communications.

• No supervisory duties.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of front-line fundraising experience throughout the donor gift cycle, with a successful track record of closing five-figure and, ideally, six-figure commitments.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to build trust and maintain professional relationships with donors and prospects.

• Substantial understanding of the policy, economic, and intellectual interests pertinent to IHS's donor community.

• Proven ability to qualify prospects and initiate donor relationships from the initial contact, including ongoing cold outreach.

• Proficient with CRM platforms (Salesforce), including the independent creation and management of the officer's own opportunities, activities, and contact reports.

• Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex, multi-stage national portfolio while ensuring consistent follow-through.

• Preferred: Experience in corporate or institutional giving, including the development of an under-built giving segment.

• Preferred: Knowledge of and appreciation for the classical liberal tradition.

• Preferred: Experience in fundraising within a think tank, university, or policy-oriented nonprofit.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• Collaborative and innovative work environment.