Major Gifts Officer

Friends of the Children Fargo-Moorhead

Location:

Fargo, ND, serving the Fargo-Moorhead region

Job Type: Full-time

Reports to:

Executive Director

Are you skilled at building lasting relationships, understanding what matters to people, and turning conversations into meaningful commitments?

Friends of the Children Fargo-Moorhead is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to connect individuals and families with opportunities to invest in our mission. We welcome candidates with backgrounds in fundraising, banking, financial services, relationship-based sales, account management, and business development. Prior nonprofit fundraising experience is welcome but is not required.

Friends of the Children Fargo-Moorhead impacts generational change by empowering youth facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with salaried, professional mentors. Our commitment to each child lasts 12+ years, no matter what. Philanthropic support makes this long-term commitment possible.

Our values guide our work:

• Put Children First:
  Center the needs, dreams, dignity, and potential of the youth we serve.

• Build Relationships on Love:
  Develop authentic relationships grounded in trust, empathy, acceptance, and long-term commitment.

• Commit to Empowerment:
  Recognize strengths and create opportunities for youth, families, and our community.

• Pursue Goals Relentlessly:
  Set meaningful goals, follow through, evaluate progress, and adjust strategies.

The Major Gifts Officer builds and sustains relationships with individuals and families whose giving can significantly advance our mission. You will manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors, secure new and increased gifts, and develop multi-year commitments that strengthen our long-term financial sustainability.

Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, you will guide donor relationships from the first introduction through a gift request and ongoing stewardship. The role also supports broader fundraising efforts while protecting substantial time for donor meetings, personalized follow-up, and major gift fundraising.

• Identify and connect with individuals and families who have the interest and capacity to make significant philanthropic investments.

• Manage a portfolio of current donors, qualified prospects, and donors with potential to increase their giving.

• Develop personalized relationship plans with clear opportunities and next steps.

• Schedule and conduct introductory, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings.

• Create compelling proposals aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities, including youth sponsor ships, unrestricted support, matching gifts, and multi-year pledges.

• Personally ask for financial commitments, independently or alongside the Executive Director and board members.

• Reconnect with former and lapsed donors through thoughtful listening and relationship rebuilding.

• Recognize opportunities involving donor-advised funds, family foundations, appreciated assets, and legacy gifts, coordinating with leadership and appropriate professionals.

• Develop individualized stewardship plans that help donors feel appreciated, informed, and connected.

• Provide timely gratitude through calls, handwritten notes, meetings, and personalized impact updates.

• Collaborate with program staff to share accurate stories and outcomes while honoring youth and family privacy and consent.

• Arrange program tours, small gatherings, and mission-focused experiences.

• Coordinate gift commitments, restrictions, recognition preferences, pledge schedules, and reporting with finance and operations…