Major Gift Officer

Job Details

Job Location:

Legal Address - Dayton, OH 45402
Position Type:
Full Time
Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary/year
Job Shift: Day

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making philanthropic investments of $15,000 or more in support of Dayton Live’s mission, programs, and strategic priorities. As a key member of the Development team, the MGO manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, builds long-term donor relationships, and helps grow annual, campaign, endowment, and legacy giving efforts.

• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors with a focus on gifts of $15,000+ annually.
• Develop and execute individualized donor strategies focused on cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, retention, and long-term engagement.
• Conduct donor meetings, tours, performances, and engagement activities to strengthen relationships and advance giving opportunities.
• Secure philanthropic support for annual operations, special initiatives, capital projects, endowment, education programming, and other organizational priorities.
• Oversee and grow Dayton Live’s legacy giving program, including identifying and stewarding planned giving prospects and donors.
• Identify and qualify prospective donors and move them through the major gift and planned giving pipeline.
• Partner with leadership, board members, and volunteers to support relationship-building and fundraising efforts.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, stewardship, recognition, and follow-up communications.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and pipeline activity within Tessitura.
• Collaborate with Development, Marketing, Programming, and Education teams on fundraising campaigns, donor events, performances, and community engagement efforts.
• Represent Dayton Live at organizational and community events.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising and portfolio performance goals.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• 4–6 years of experience in fundraising, development, relationship management, sales, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and securing major gifts or comparable revenue-generating partnerships.
• Experience with planned giving or legacy giving preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and networking skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams and departments.
• Experience with Tessitura or comparable donor CRM systems preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Experience in arts and culture, nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organizations is a plus.
• Commitment to Dayton Live’s mission and appreciation for the performing arts.