Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors capable of making significant philanthropic investments in the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society's mission. The MGO manages a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, develops meaningful relationships that inspire long-term support, and collaborates across departments to align donor interests with organizational priorities.

This position plays a critical role in advancing the shelter's fundraising goals by securing leadership-level annual gifts, multi-year commitments, capital gifts, planned gifts, and special project funding.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings, virtual visits, and personalized donor communications.
• Solicit gifts at the five-, six-, and seven-figure levels, as appropriate.
• Prepare compelling gift proposals, impact reports, and stewardship materials.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Build authentic, long-term relationships with donors, volunteers, adopters, and community leaders.
• Create meaningful donor experiences, including shelter tours, behind-the-scenes visits, and meetings with leadership.
• Ensure timely and thoughtful donor recognition and stewardship.
• Partner with program staff to communicate measurable impact of philanthropic investments.

Prospect Development

• Identify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, events, and community networking.
• Work with the development team to qualify prospects and move them through the donor pipeline.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and next steps in the CRM (Raiser’s Edge NXT).

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with the CEO, Director of Development, Board members, and volunteer leaders on donor engagement strategies.
• Support campaign planning, fundraising events, and leadership giving initiatives.
• Participate in donor appreciation and community outreach activities.

Planned Giving

• Introduce appropriate donors to legacy giving opportunities.
• Collaborate on marketing and stewardship of planned giving donors.
• Support estate gift conversations alongside leadership and professional advisors when appropriate.

Performance & Administration

• Meet annual fundraising goals and activity metrics.
• Maintain accurate forecasts and revenue projections.
• Prepare reports for leadership and the Board.
• Stay informed about trends in philanthropy, animal welfare, and donor engagement.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively successful fundraising experience, with demonstrated success securing major gifts.
• Proven ability to cultivate and close gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Experience using donor database/CRM systems.
• Experience working with volunteers and nonprofit boards.
• Familiarity with donor research and wealth screening tools.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

Experience in animal welfare