Major Gifts Officer

About The Jewish Federation Of Greater Washington

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington mobilizes and inspires our community to strengthen and sustain Jewish life. We bring together partners, organizations, and individuals to address the most pressing needs facing our local and global Jewish community. Through philanthropy, strategic investments, and collaborative leadership, the Federation drives impact, builds capacity, and ensures a vibrant Jewish future.

As we enter a period of significant growth and transformation, the Federation is expanding its development team to build a modern, relationship‑driven fundraising program that supports our mission and long‑term vision.

The Major Gifts Officer is a frontline fundraiser responsible for building and managing a portfolio of high‑capacity donors and prospects, with a focus on major gifts, donor acquisition, principal gift pipeline development, and integrated giving conversations, including legacy opportunities. This builder role is part of a collaborative team environment, working to define the systems, structures, and strategies that will shape the next decade of philanthropic success.

The position has specific leadership responsibility for acquisition, qualification, and principal gift pipeline growth while partnering closely with colleagues who lead major gifts strategy and implementation.

• Manage a portfolio of ~125 donors and prospects with capacity at the $25,000–$1M+ level.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies using a structured moves‑management approach.
• Partner with colleagues who lead major gifts strategy to ensure alignment, shared learning, and coordinated donor engagement.
• Conduct regular portfolio analysis to ensure movement, balance, and growth.

• Help further build and implement the Federation’s major gifts infrastructure, including systems, processes, donor pathways, and engagement models.
• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer and major and legacy gifts team to build a principal gifts framework that supports transformational giving.
• Identify gaps in current systems and propose solutions that strengthen the Federation’s long‑term fundraising capacity.
• Partner with internal teams to refine donor‑ready materials, impact reporting, and engagement tools.

• Lead proactive prospect identification efforts using research, networks, and community engagement.
• Serve as the team lead for donor acquisition and early‑stage pipeline development.
• Convert mid‑level donors and new prospects into major gift donors through intentional outreach and personalized engagement.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure smooth handoff of qualified prospects into the broader major gifts portfolio.

• Leverage 120–150 meaningful donor interactions annually, including in‑person visits, small gatherings, and mission‑aligned experiences.
• Partner with senior leadership to prepare and deliver compelling major gift proposals aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Integrate legacy giving and multi‑vehicle philanthropic conversations (e.g., Endowments, DAFs, bequests, blended gifts) into donor strategies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, colleagues, and lay partners on joint solicitations.
• Ensure thoughtful stewardship that deepens donor commitment and sets up the next gift.

• Maintain accurate and timely donor records in CRM.
• Track progress toward goals and provide regular pipeline reports.
• Use data to inform strategy, forecast revenue, and identify opportunities for growth.

• Understands how donor strategy aligns with the Federation’s mission, priorities, and impact goals.
• Navigates ambiguity effectively and exercises sound judgment, even when information is incomplete or evolving.

• Builds trust quickly with donors, colleagues, and lay leaders.
• Listens deeply, reads nuance, and responds with clarity…