Major Gifts Officer

Overview

Child Focus, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that children involved in the child welfare system are safe, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive. Operating three distinct but complementary programs, the organization has a holistic service array to support children in foster care and the families that surround them. Through the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, the NJ Safe Babies Court Team, and the Open Door Store, Child Focus provides support, normalcy, and advocacy for our communities’ most vulnerable children.

Our work is grounded in equity, dignity, and a deep respect for the lived experiences of children and families.

Child Focus seeks a highly experienced, mission-connected Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to build and steward meaningful philanthropic partnerships that directly advance outcomes for children and families. This role is ideal for a relational fundraiser who sees major gifts as an act of shared purpose — someone who excels at listening, connecting values to impact, and walking alongside donors over time.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, cultivate new relationships, and collaborate closely with executive leadership to secure transformational philanthropic support. This position plays a critical role in strengthening Child Focus’s long-term sustainability and expanding our impact across the communities we serve.

Donor Relationship Management & Fundraising

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, with a focus on gifts typically of $10,000+ (or aligned with organizational strategy).
• Create individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies rooted in donor values and program impact.
• Meet face-to-face and virtually with donors, engaging them as true partners in Child Focus’s mission.
• Partner with executive leadership and board members to leverage their potential impact on donor strategy, solicitations, and organizational stewardship.

Strategy & Growth

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new major gift prospects through research, referrals, and mission-aligned engagement.
• Contribute to the development and execution of a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with organizational priorities and equity commitments.
• Collaborate with program staff to translate impact into compelling donor narratives and funding opportunities.
• Support campaign planning and special initiatives as the organization grows.

Stewardship & Systems

• Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship that reflects donor intent and demonstrates meaningful impact.
• Maintain accurate records and reports in the donor database/CRM.
• Track progress toward revenue goals and adjust strategies as needed.

Required

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, philanthropy, or related development roles.
• Demonstrated success in securing and stewarding significant philanthropic gifts.
• Deep alignment with Child Focus’s mission and a commitment to equity and child well-being.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership, board members, and colleagues.
• Adept at navigating complex, emotionally grounded mission work with professionalism and empathy.

Preferred

• Experience with fundraising in child welfare, advocacy, social services, or justice-related nonprofits.
• Familiarity with foster care programs or court-involved systems.
• Experience working with boards and senior leadership in donor cultivation.
• Knowledge of New Jersey’s philanthropic landscape.

• A mission-driven, values-centered workplace where relationships matter.
• The opportunity to help shape and grow a major gifts program with real impact.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexibility and respect for work-life balance.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief cover letter describing their connection to Child Focus’s mission and relevant fundraising experience. Resumes