Major Gifts Officer

Job Description

At SFCLT, we center equity, resilience, and the right to stay rooted in San Francisco. Join us in advancing housing justice through community ownership!

The San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create permanently affordable housing for low- to moderate-income people through community ownership of land. Guided by the principles of anti-displacement and racial justice, SFCLT stabilizes neighborhoods and expands access to housing and home ownership, focusing on BIPOC communities historically excluded from wealth-building and home ownership opportunities.

We achieve our mission by acquiring small apartment buildings and helping tenants form housing cooperatives through which they share ownership of their buildings, while SFCLT maintains ownership of the land to ensure permanent affordability.

SFCLT is seeking an experienced and relationship-driven Major Gifts Officer to build and sustain a strong pipeline of high-capacity donors. This position plays a pivotal role in expanding SFCLT's individual giving program by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $5,000 and above.

Working closely with the Development Director, staff, and Board, the Major Gifts Officer will deepen donor engagement to meet ambitious fundraising goals that support SFCLT's mission to advance equity and community-based housing solutions in San Francisco.

• Natural relationship builder
  , you thrive in face-to-face interactions and are confident making direct solicitations. You seek out new connections and opportunities to engage with individuals and partners who share the organization's mission.
• Strategic and results-driven
  , you develop and implement thoughtful cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gifts, setting measurable goals and achieving them with focus and creativity. You are energized by new challenges and motivated to exceed fundraising goals.
• Deeply connected to San Francisco's philanthropic landscape
  , you understand the local donor community and know how to activate networks to advance SFCLT's mission.
• Outstanding storyteller
  , you craft compelling donor communications, proposals, and presentations that inspire action and bring clarity, warmth, and purpose to every word.
• Strong communicator
  , you build trust through authentic engagement and are comfortable interacting with high-level donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Passionate about equity and community
  , you bring knowledge of or experience with affordable housing, community-based housing solutions, and equity-driven initiatives.

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 50+ major donor prospects with the capacity to give $5,000+.
• Develop and implement personalized engagement strategies that move donors from interest to deep, long-term commitment.
• Partner with the Development Director and Executive Director to engage donors through meetings, proposals, and events that bring SFCLT's mission to life.
• Hold 10-12 high-quality donor interactions each month, including phone calls, proposal presentations, event interactions, and in-person meetings with current and prospective donors, as well as volunteers.

• Proactively research and qualify 100+ prospects annually, with a focus on San Francisco's high-net-worth individuals.
• Leverage board and community networks to open doors, strengthen relationships, and grow SFCLT's donor base.

• Collaborate closely with Development, Communications, and Program teams to align donor engagement with SFCLT's mission, programs, and impact stories.
• Represent SFCLT at donor and community events to increase visibility and inspire philanthropic support.
• Support board engagement in fundraising activities and donor stewardship.
• Track donor activity, pipeline development, and revenue goals for Major Gifts using Bloomerang, SFCLT's CRM system.
• Provide timely reports and analysis to the Development Director to inform and guide strategy.

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including a proven track record of closing 5- to 6-figure major gifts.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification a plus.
• Proficiency with donor databases (CRM systems) and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.

$120,000-$140,000 a year FTE, depending on experience.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter through our application portal. In your cover letter, describe why this role excites you and how your skills and experience will advance the mission of San Francisco Community Land Trust.

Additionally, please include a summary of your major gift fundraising experience, such as a list of significant gifts you have personally solicited or managed, including gift ranges, donor type, and your role in securing each gift.