Senior Major Gifts Officer

Job Summary

The Central Park Conservancy seeks a Senior Major Gifts Officer to help support the growth of the Chairman’s Circle, the Conservancy’s major donor membership program responsible for raising close to $10 million annually. This individual will have a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and partner with subject matter experts across the organization to support a donor-centric strategy and vision for major gift fundraising growth at the Conservancy.

• Maintain and cultivate a portfolio of approximately 150 households capable of making annual gifts of $1M+ over 5 years, focusing on qualifying, cultivating, and stewarding new donors at the Conservancy’s Chairman’s Circle level, as well as prospects for seven‑figure, multi‑year restricted or campaign pledges.
• Serve as a leading front‑line fundraiser, representing the Conservancy to prospects and donors through meetings, events, and donor‑facing engagement, managing relationships to increase major annual, restricted, and campaign gifts of six and seven figures.
• Play a key role in extending the success of the campaign by securing major gifts and effectively galvanizing donors to contribute.
• Develop tailored fundraising strategies and solicitations, nurturing donor relationships through stewardship, events, one‑on‑one meetings, and donor communications via email, phone, and written correspondence.
• Conduct a minimum of 50 prospect meetings annually to cultivate and solicit prospects, close gifts, and steward donors, aiming to attain both personal and team goals for meetings, asks, and revenue. Meeting metrics are expected to include a combination of new and existing prospects.
• Prepare major gift proposals and meeting briefings as needed.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new individual prospects in collaboration with Prospect Research, including opportunities for planned giving and legacy gifts.
• Draft donor outreach emails and appeals for major gifts.

• Attend cultivation and stewardship events, including evenings, to engage with prospects and represent the Central Park Conservancy.
• Track donor communications, interactions, and stewardship activities in Raiser’s Edge in a timely and accurate manner, maintaining complete and up-to-date donor records.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or be willing to obtain one to conduct Park tours via electric cart.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing 5‑, 6, and 7‑figure gifts.
• 8‑10+ years of fundraising experience.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Goal oriented, ability to work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and carry out projects independently, managing multiple deadlines and using own initiative.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or a similar fundraising database.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Passion for Central Park and the mission of the Conservancy.
• Note:
  
  this is an in‑person position.

Salary range: $139K – $170K (based on experience level).

The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all. Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park.

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.).

If an employee discovers a potential dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.