Major Gift Officer

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the Progeria Research Foundation by securing philanthropic support from high-capacity donors, foundations, and corporations. This position is responsible for managing a robust portfolio of major gift prospects, creating tailored engagement strategies, and securing significant contributions to support PRF's groundbreaking research and programs - most notably the Path to CURE PROGERIA initiative, an eight-year, $25M funding effort.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven fundraiser with excellent communication skills, strategic thinking, and a passion for making a transformational impact in rare disease research.

• Manage a personal portfolio of 75+ major gift prospects with the capacity to give $10,000+.
• Develop and implement individualized donor engagement strategies aligned with PRF's fundraising priorities, employing moves management best practices.
• Meet annual activity and revenue goals, including face‑to‑face visits, proposals delivered, and dollars raised.

• Work within a highly collaborative team alongside the Executive Director and Director of Development to provide strategic support for fundraising strategy and donor engagement aligned with PRF's long-term goals.

• Build strong, long‑term relationships with donors through personalized outreach, visits, events, and volunteer engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Marketing to create compelling proposals, presentations, and cases for support that demonstrate PRF's impact on accelerating treatments and improving quality of life for children with Progeria.
• Solicit major gifts independently or in partnership with the Executive Director, Director of Development, Board members, and/or fundraising committee members.
• Guide donors through all stages of the giving cycle with clarity, timeliness, and professionalism—from qualification through stewardship.
• Partner with the Development team to coordinate stewardship activities such as impact reporting, donor recognition, and PRF-hosted events.
• Represent PRF at events, donor meetings, speaking engagements, and community activities to deepen engagement and broaden visibility.

• Maintain accurate and timely donor activity records in PRF's CRM (Donor Perfect).
• Monitor and report on donor pipeline progress, portfolio health, and fundraising outcomes.
• Use data insights to refine strategies and strengthen long‑term cultivation and fundraising plans.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of fundraising experience, with a focus on major gifts.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $10,000+.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a small, mission‑driven team environment.
• Experience with CRM systems (Donor Perfect preferred) and strong data/analytics awareness.
• Willingness to travel locally and nationally for donor visits and events.

• Donor‑centered relationship building
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Persuasive communication and storytelling
• Professionalism and discretion
• Collaboration and team orientation
• Results‑driven mindset

Salary: $100,00 - plus bonus opportunities, commensurate with experience

PRF offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and hybrid work environment.

The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) is the driving force behind the global effort to understand, treat and ultimately cure Hutchinson‑Gilford Progeria Syndrome (Progeria), a rare and fatal genetic disease that causes rapid aging in children. Founded by the family of Sam Berns after his diagnosis in 1999, PRF has enabled or led every major scientific breakthrough in the field, from discovery of the gene that causes the disease to the first FDA‑approved treatment, lonafarnib, to the advancement of gene‑editing approaches now in development.

Through rigorous science, global research infrastructure and close partnership with the worldwide patient community, PRF is advancing next‑generation therapies, expanding diagnosis and care through its Find the Children initiative, and leading the Path to Cure Progeria program to determine whether a one‑time gene‑editing therapy can offer a durable, potentially curative treatment.

For more information and to support PRF’s mission, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..