Major Gifts Officer

The Major Gifts Officer will work very closely with the CEO to get the CEO in front of top prospects and will advise and strategize with the CEO on major donor solicitation and the growth of a thriving major gifts program with regular asks made by the CEO and the MGO. The primary measure of success will be a pipeline of major gifts that advance the mission of the organization and make philanthropy a significant and dependable source of annual support for the mission of the organization.

The position works directly with the CEO to arrange and prepare donor meetings and serves as a critical connector between prospective donors, executive leadership, and the Board Development Committee.

This position supports and contributes to the Ten Thousand Villages mission by:
Expanding Ten Thousand Villages’ access to transformational philanthropy by building a disciplined, CEO‑engaged major gift engine. By increasing the volume and quality of major gifts secured, the Major Gifts Officer directly supports the long‑term growth and impact of Artisan Pathways and the organization’s broader mission.

Major Gift Origination

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective major gift donors, including individuals, family foundations, and aligned institutions.
• Proactively generate new donor leads through networking, referrals, events, and targeted outreach.
• Conduct discovery conversations to assess donor interests, philanthropic priorities, capacity, and readiness.
• Establish initial relationships that position Ten Thousand Villages as a credible, mission‑aligned philanthropic partner.
• Advance qualified prospects to CEO‑led donor meetings with clear purpose and next steps.
• Ask for and close major gifts alone and alongside the CEO.

Direct CEO Support and Donor Engagement

• Work directly with the Chief Executive Officer to arrange donor meetings and introductions.
• Prepare concise donor briefings, background summaries, and engagement objectives for CEO interactions.
• Ensure timely follow‑up on CEO donor conversations, translating interest into structured cultivation pathways.
• Protect CEO time by prioritizing meetings with high‑alignment, high‑potential prospects.
• Manage roughly 20% of the CEO’s time for major gift work while also managing a list of up to 120 top prospects for the MGO’s solicitation and stewardship as well.
• Work closely with the Board Development Committee to support donor identification, introductions, and cultivation efforts.
• Coordinate with board members on prospect strategy, preparation, and follow‑up.
• Assist in aligning board relationships and networks with Artisan Pathways funding priorities and other gift opportunities that appeal to major donors and prospects.
• Communicate Ten Thousand Villages’ mission, philanthropic priorities, and Artisan Pathways strategy clearly and consistently.
• Stay current on artisan stories, program outcomes, and organizational priorities to support donor conversations.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure donor‑facing messaging is accurate and aligned.

• Apply disciplined moves‑management practices to advance prospects through engagement stages.
• Serve as the staff liaison and support person for the Development Committee of the Board.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, insights, and next steps.
• Coordinate the transition of qualified prospects into solicitation and longer‑term stewardship by the MGO and the CEO.
• Support donor‑related events and gatherings that advance relationship development.

• Number of new major gift prospects qualified.
• Major gifts closed in year one equal to 3 times the investment in salary and benefits for the role, then 5 times in year two, and 8 times in year three.
• Number of prospects advanced to CEO meetings, number of solicitations made per month, and visits completed per month.
• Quality and clarity of donor intelligence and preparation materials.
• Conversion of discovery conversations into active cultivation, and successful gift closes.
• Effective coordination with the Board Development Committee.

• Bachelor’s degree or…