[Hiring] Major Gifts Officer @CaringBridge

Role Description

The Major Gifts Officer at CaringBridge owns and scales our major gifts revenue engine. This is a senior, frontline role responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts of $10,000+, with an emphasis on speed to ask, disciplined pipeline management, and consistent closes. Success in this role requires comfort moving prospects efficiently from interest to investment while building a scalable major gifts function that supports CaringBridge’s growth and mission impact.

Primary Objectives

• Drive near- and mid-term major gift revenue growth through disciplined prospecting, qualification, and closing.
• Build and manage a high-performing major gift pipeline with clear stages, timelines, and conversion targets.
• Increase the velocity of donor engagement and asks, without sacrificing donor trust or mission alignment.
• Establish a repeatable, scalable major gifts operating model aligned to a tech-enabled organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Major Gifts Revenue & Pipeline Ownership:
  • Own a personal portfolio of ~75–100 qualified major gift prospects and donors, actively managed across all stages of the donor lifecycle.
  • Proactively identify, qualify, and prioritize prospects based on capacity, readiness, and alignment—moving quickly from discovery to ask.
  • Develop and execute clear solicitation strategies with defined ask amounts, timelines, and close plans.
  • Maintain a consistent cadence of direct donor engagement (virtual and in-person) with an emphasis on forward momentum.
  • Close major gifts and multi-year commitments that materially advance organizational goals.
• Hybrid Fundraising / Business Development Approach:
  • Operate with an outcomes-focused approach to donor engagement—balancing relationship depth with decisive action.
  • Identify opportunities for corporate, family foundation, and high-net-worth partnerships that align with CaringBridge’s platform and growth strategy.
  • Collaborate with the CEO and senior leaders to align donor opportunities with real-time organizational funding priorities.
• Systems, Data & Accountability:
  • Build and maintain a rigorous moves-management system within Salesforce, ensuring data accuracy, visibility, and accountability.
  • Use pipeline data to forecast revenue, assess conversion rates, and course-correct quickly.
  • Establish and track success metrics such as:
    • Qualified prospects added
    • Asks made
    • Close rate
    • Average gift size
    • Time from qualification to close
  • Provide clear, concise reporting and insights to the CEO and senior leadership.
• Executive, Board & Cross-Functional Partnership:
  • Partner closely with the CEO, and Board to activate high-value relationships and accelerate donor engagement.
  • Prepare senior leadership team with meeting strategies, donor briefs, talking points, and follow-up plans to maximize impact.
  • Work cross-functionally with Development, Marketing and Communications on initiatives to drive impact and outcomes.
• Stewardship & Retention:
  • Ensure timely, high-impact stewardship that reinforces donor confidence and sets the stage for subsequent and increased giving.
  • Balance stewardship with forward-looking conversations about next commitments and expanded impact.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of frontline major gifts, fundraising or revenue-generating experience in a nonprofit or adjacent organization.
• Proven track record of closing five and six figure gifts with consistency.
• Experience creating a major gifts program strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to move prospects efficiently from qualification to close.
• Experience soliciting gifts from individuals or entities in excess of $500,000.
• Comfort with adapting to market trends and applying innovative approaches to donor strategy and messaging.
• Strong CRM discipline (Salesforce preferred) and comfort using data to drive decisions.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to ask clearly, confidently, and directly.
• Strong writing and presentation skills, with an ability to compel action.
• Ability to think strategically while also managing a challenging day-to-day workload.

Preferred

• Experience operating as a solo major gifts officer.
• Background working in a growth-oriented nonprofit, healthcare, or technology-adjacent organization.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to sit, use hands to handle objects and talk or hear.
• Frequent wrist and/or hand movement is required.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Top-Tier Health Coverage: Choose from comprehensive medical plans (including two HSA options), plus dental, vision, EAP, pet insurance, fitness membership discounts, and more.
• Mental Health Support: Complimentary subscription to the Headspace app for meditation, movement, improved focus, better sleep, and stress reduction support.
• Health Savings Support: Receive a $1,000 annual employer contribution to your HSA to help cover medical expenses.
• Financial Wellness: We match 401(k) contributions at 3% to help you plan for the future.
• Peace of Mind: Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance, plus life insurance, are included.
• Flexible PTO: Take the time you need, when you need it.
• Work Your Way: Enjoy a flexible schedule and the option to work hybrid or fully remote from anywhere in the U.S.
• Connection & Community: Come together in person with the team twice a year at company retreats in Minneapolis.
• A Culture That Cares: We’re highly values-driven, supportive of work-life balance, and understand the unique challenges of caregivers in the workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

At CaringBridge, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We believe that varied perspectives drive innovation and strengthen our organization. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We also comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.