Major Gifts Officer

The Major Gifts Officer leads Children’s Miracle Network’s (CMN) major gifts and planning program, playing a critical role in advancing the organization’s philanthropic strategy through major gifts and legacy commitments. This role is responsible for the planning, execution, and growth of major gifts, which includes identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts prospects and donors, along with the CEO and other Executives.

The Major Gifts Officer partners closely with Executive leadership, Board members, and internal teams to drive underwriting revenue and ensure a robust pipeline of gifts that will support CMN’s long-term sustainability.

• Major Gifts Strategy and Program Management
• Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy in partnership with CMN’s Executive Team and senior leaders. Align the major gifts program with CMN’s overall development goals, ensuring integration across fundraising efforts.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of planned giving regulations and best practices.
• Evaluate and refine the program using donor feedback, performance data, and market insights.
• Donor Identification, Cultivation, and Solicitation
• Build and maintain a portfolio of at least 50 major gifts prospects, focusing on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and closing of gifts.
• Create individualized donor strategies and collaborate with board members for peer-to-peer solicitations.
• Facilitate face-to-face meetings, calls, and other engagements to secure new and increased legacy commitments.
• Donor Stewardship and Engagement
• Design and execute stewardship strategies for donors, including personalized outreach and recognition events.
• Maintain strong relationships with potential legacy members and ensure meaningful engagement throughout their donor journey.
• Develop posthumous stewardship practices for representatives of deceased donors.
• Gift Structuring, Documentation, and Compliance
• Collaborate with and support legal and finance teams to structure various planned giving vehicles, including bequests, charitable trusts, annuities, and real estate gifts.
• Support legal and finance teams in drafting and managing customized gift agreements.
• Provide guidance to legal, financial, and individual donor teams in proper documentation, receipting, and compliance with applicable legal and ethical standards.
• Internal Collaboration, Marketing, and Training
• Partner with Marketing and Creative teams to review effective donor materials and communications.
• Serve as an internal expert on gift planning, offering training and guidance to staff.
• Represent the full spectrum of CMN’s fundraising priorities during donor engagements.

• Maintain accurate donor records in Salesforce and ensure proper tracking of donor interactions and gift documentation.
• Generate reports to monitor program performance and share insights with leadership.
• Manage the program budget in alignment with departmental financial goals.
• Contribute to fundraising events and organization-wide initiatives.
• Travel as needed for donor meetings and events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of fundraising experience with a proven track record in securing major and/or planned gifts.
• Experience working in or with Children’s Miracle Network partnerships, programs, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong donor relationships and successfully close gifts.
• Experience with charitable gift planning vehicles and estate planning principles.
• Proficiency in Salesforce or other donor database systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential donor information with professionalism.
• Willingness to travel and occasionally work evenings or weekends.

Education

• CFRE certification preferred. Ability to obtain within one year of employment required.

Experience

• Experience working with legal and financial advisors in a gift planning context.
• Familiarity with nonprofit marketing and donor stewardship strategies.

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