Major Gift Officer

Description:

Position Summary:

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, solicitating, and stewarding major donors in support of the organization’s mission. This role manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and builds meaningful, long-term relationships that result in increased philanthropic investment.

The MGO plays a critical role in advancing organizational priorities by aligning donor interests with funding needs and ensuring an exceptional donor experience rooted in trust, transparency, and impact.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Major Gift Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150-200 major gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on leadership and planned gift commitments.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each assigned donor.
• Conduct face-to-face, virtual, and phone meetings with donors and prospects to build relationships and directly solicit support.
• Prepare and present tailored proposals aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Meet or exceed annual revenue and activity goals.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Ensure timely and personalized stewardship, including impact reporting, acknowledgments, and recognition.
• Partner with program staff to communicate outcomes and mission impact to donors.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date donor records and interactions in the donor database/CRM.

Collaboration & Strategy

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Philanthropy, leadership team, board members, and volunteers to support donor strategies.
• Support leadership and board members in donor engagement and solicitations as appropriate.
• Participate in campaign planning, special initiatives, and long-term fundraising strategies.

Prospecting & Pipeline Development

• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, and engagement activities.
• Continuously build and strengthen the major gift pipeline to support sustainable growth.

Work Environment:

Office environment is located within HARP’s shelter facilities. The employee will primarily work in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

Incumbent may be exposed to hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes; and possible exposure to contagious diseases. Individual will be required to lift, push, pull, and carry up to fifty (50) pounds. Must be able to read, see, hear, and speak. Incumbent will be required to use a computer with keyboard, telephone, or handheld mobile device for extended periods of time, and office machinery as needed. This description represents the requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel:

Travel to North Shore, East End, and Wildlife Center locations may be required from time to time; employee will be based at one shelter but may need to assist at the other locations as needed. Some travel for special circumstances may be required on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of frontline fundraising experience, including major gift solicitation.
• Ability to clearly articulate organization mission and strategies to a broad range of people.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Pittsburgh community at large.
• Strong time management and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Comfort using CRM/donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge).

Preferred

• Experience in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, healthcare, or mission-driven nonprofits.
• Experience working with boards and senior leadership in donor cultivation.
• CFRE or progress toward certification.