Major Gifts Officer

Forest Home is a Christ-centered nonprofit camp dedicated to providing life-changing experiences for children, youth, and families. Through outdoor adventures, biblical teaching, and authentic community, we seek to cultivate spiritual growth and lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. We are seeking a passionate and strategic Major Gift Officer to help grow our mission through meaningful donor relationships and impactful giving opportunities.

Forest Home is a Christ-centered nonprofit camp dedicated to providing life-changing experiences for children, youth, and families. Through outdoor adventure, biblical teaching, and authentic community, we cultivate spiritual growth and lifelong faith in Jesus Christ.

We are seeking a passionate, strategic Major Gift Officer (MGO) to grow Forest Home's mission through meaningful donor relationships and transformational giving. The MGO identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals capable of giving $15,000 or more annually in support of Forest Home's programs, scholarships, and capital needs.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the MGO manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and partners closely with the Annual Fund Coordinator to build a coordinated pipeline that moves donors from mid-level to major and planned giving.

The ideal candidate is a committed follower of Jesus Christ with a heart for ministry, high emotional intelligence, and a proven record of inspiring donors toward generous, joyful giving.

Success in this role is measured against the following annual targets, set in partnership with the Chief Development Officer.

• Major gift revenue $3,750,000
• Active portfolio
  250 major donors and prospects
• Donor retention
  85-90%
• Multi-year pledge conversations (3-5 year commitments)20-30
• 15:1 Partnership program growth
  
  New partners at $25,000+
• Donor engagement
  
  Weekly face-to-face, virtual, and phone meetings

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 major donors and prospects, building authentic, long-term relationships through personalized engagement.
• Lead every stage of the donor cycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, follow-up, stewardship, and recognition.
• Develop an individual cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plan for each donor in the portfolio.
• Conduct weekly face-to-face visits, virtual meetings, and calls with current and prospective donors.
• Open new relationships through targeted prospect lists, referrals, and networking.
• Host on-site camp tours for donors and prospects.

• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to set annual major gift goals and strategy.
• Secure major gifts for the annual fund, capital campaigns, scholarships, and special projects.
• Cultivate and secure multi-year (3-5 year) pledges and grow the 15:1 Partnership program at the $25,000+ level.
• Prepare compelling proposals, cases for support, impact reports, and donor presentations.
• Use Donor Search screening and giving data to identify new prospects, upgrade existing donors, and qualify out unresponsive ones.
• Connect each donor's philanthropic passions with Forest Home's mission through a gospel-centered approach.

• Work with the Annual Fund Coordinator on a regular cadence to identify and qualify mid-level donors with major gift potential.
• Ensure alignment across the full giving pipeline, from mid-level to major and planned gifts.
• Contribute to a collaborative, goal-oriented culture within the development team.

• Keep donor records, contact reports, and activity current in Bloomerang.
• Provide regular progress reports to the Chief Development Officer.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on donor communications.
• Ensure acknowledgments and recognition reflect excellence and Christian values.
• Uphold the highest ethical and confidentiality standards in all fundraising activity.
• Steward ministry resources wisely, managing travel expenses and submitting them on time.

• Pray for and offer spiritual support to donors and internal staff.
• Represent Forest Home at camp events, retreats, and ministry gatherings.
• Model Christlike character and uphold Forest Home's vision, mission, and core values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum 5 years of major gift fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success securing individual gifts of $70,000+ and growing a donor…