Major Gifts Manager

Major Gifts Manager

Program:
Development

Employment Type:

Salary

Full-time

Reports to:

Deputy Development Director

Direct Reports:
Development Associate

Salary Range: $76,000 - $85,000

Location:

Tucson Preferred, Open to Remote for the Right Candidate

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction.

We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

This position provides a unique opportunity for an energetic, experienced nonprofit professional with fundraising experience to join a successful development team in a supervisory role while advancing the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission to protect imperiled wildlife and wild places. The Major Gifts Manager is an integral role in the full scope of major gifts work at the Center for Biological Diversity.

This position works closely with the Chief Development Officer and Deputy Development Director in their capacity as Major Gift Officers (MGOs) to develop and deliver high-quality, timely, authentic, and creative donor plans, experiences and communications to individuals capable of making a substantial impact on the Center’s work through their philanthropic support.

The right applicant will be a strong communicator both verbally and in writing, a highly motivated self-starter who thrives on connection with people passionate about protecting wildlife and wild places. This role will support every aspect of the major gifts program’s implementation, including donor stewardship, event coordination, and communication delivery. The Major Gifts Manager will also be assigned their own portfolio of major donors and prospects to cultivate and steward.

The Major Gifts Manager will report to the Deputy Development Director, manage one full-time Development Associate, and regularly communicate with senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.

• Develop, document, and track cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation plans for individual major donors, legacy donors, family foundations, and prospective donors.
• Organize and support MGO solicitation activities including donor meetings, experiences, and proposals to help close major donor and grant gifts.
• Compile, draft, format, and distribute informational content that will inspire donors to give.
• Collaborate with senior development leadership, grant writers, and the development operations team to cultivate and solicit funds from major donors, foundation funders, and prospects before, during, and after events, webinars, and campaigns.
• Utilize Center research tools and entrepreneurial sourcing to conduct research, synthesize the Center’s conservation work into clear, brief, compelling proposals and talking points that inspire giving.
• Provide high-level stewardship support, drafting and sending personalized communications and reports to build enduring relationships with major donors.
• Respond quickly to breaking news to secure funding from major donors and foundations for urgent campaigns.
• Conduct extensive donor research and prepare prospect research dossiers to support MGOs prospecting.
• Support the Chief Development Officer’s work with donors making planned gifts, scheduling meetings, and providing stewardship support to close legacy gifts.
• Meet with donors via phone, Zoom, and face‑to‑face to cultivate and secure major gifts.
• Draft and send timely, thoughtful responses on behalf of leadership to donor inquiries, demonstrating the impact of their support.
• Oversee the quality of Development Associates’ communications for high-net-worth major donors and funders.
• Support the major gifts team with a wide…