Major Gifts Officer

Position: Major Gifts Officer

Salary: $68,000-$77,000

Schedule: Full time, nights and weekends as needed

Location: In person, St. Paul

For more than 129 years, Neighborhood House has partnered with families in St. Paul to ensure access to essential services, including food, housing, education, and opportunities. Today, we serve more than 30,000 individuals annually across six neighborhoods, striving for a community where everyone can thrive.

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for managing a portfolio of individual and institutional donors and prospects, with a focus on building relationships that result in significant philanthropic investment. This role focuses on direct donor engagement, developing and executing individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. Portfolios will include individuals as well as select corporate, education, and faith‑based partners.

The Major Gift Officer reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and works closely with advancement colleagues to align donor engagement with organizational priorities while maintaining primary responsibility for the strategy and performance of their assigned portfolio. This position is designed to maximize time spent on relationship‑building and revenue generation, with administrative and operational support provided through the broader advancement team.

Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage and execute strategies for a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.
• Conduct regular donor outreach, including meetings, calls, and personalized engagement.
• Track and manage donor activity and progress through moves management.

Revenue Generation & Solicitation

• Solicit and close major gifts in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Align donor interests with funding opportunities across programs and initiatives.
• Contribute to revenue goals through consistent portfolio activity and follow-through.

Relationship Building & Engagement

• Build and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with donors and partners.
• Coordinate meaningful engagement opportunities that deepen donor connection to the mission.
• Support and participate in small‑scale donor events and gatherings designed to cultivate relationships.

Sponsorship & Event Engagement

• Identify and pursue sponsorship opportunities within assigned portfolio.
• Manage relationships with sponsors connected to the annual fundraising gala and other initiatives.
• Coordinate with advancement colleagues to align sponsorship efforts with overall event strategy.

Strategic Contribution & Collaboration

• Develop and implement strategies to cultivate a more diverse and representative donor portfolio.
• Inform advancement strategy by sharing insights from donor relationships and trends.
• Collaborate with advancement team members to ensure alignment across major gifts, annual fund, and planned giving.
• Coordinate with program and leadership staff to connect donors to meaningful opportunities and impact.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3‑5 years of experience in fundraising, sales, or relationship‑based roles.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with donors or clients.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a portfolio and prioritize competing demands.
• Experience using CRM systems to track donor engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a donor‑centered mindset.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• A collaborative, inclusive approach that values teamwork, equity, and community voice.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising.
• Proven ability to manage a major gift portfolio.
• Experience working with corporate and institutional partners.
• Ability to speak one or more languages spoken by our participant families, especially Spanish, Karen, Hmong, and Somali.

Neighborhood House is required to conduct background checks on all final candidates…