Major Gifts Officer

Position: Major Gifts Officer 

Compensation range: $90,000-$100,000 

Reports to: Chief Development Officer 

Direct Report(s): None 

Posted date:  6/3/2025

Internal Job Code: DEV-MGO

✨ Are you passionate about your community? ✨ 

Do you want to eliminate racism, empower women, and ensure everyone enjoys freedom, justice, and dignity? Are you committed to supporting families and helping children access trauma-informed education? Do you have a heart for maintaining shelters for those experiencing violence? 

If you're an experienced fundraiser who is familiar with Utah’s philanthropic community, we want you! Join YWCA Utah's Development Team as a Major Gifts Officer. Contribute your talents to support thousands and help the next generation thrive. 

Be the change. Apply today! 🌟 

Organization Overview 

Since 1906 YWCA Utah has been a voice for women, a force for change, and a place for hope. Our enduring belief is that better lives for women – all women – will lead to stronger families and communities.  YWCA Utah is our state's most comprehensive provider of family violence services; our programs include walk-in services and a crisis line, emergency shelter, transitional housing, children’s programs, and a vast array of supportive services.  

Mission: YWCA Utah is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, 

and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. 

YWCA Utah is an equal employment opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. 

Benefits 

In addition to being a part of an organization dedicated to race & gender equity in Utah  and supporting survivors of domestic violence, benefits of working at YWCA Utah include:    

• Generous package of vacation, sick, and bereavement time available to all employees   

• 11 paid holidays   

• Professional development with internal and external training opportunities   

• Free Employee Assistance Program providing counseling options to employees, partners, and dependents 

• Paid parental leave after 1 year of employment 

Position Summary 

This full-time role offers an exciting opportunity for a confident, strategic, and results-driven fundraising professional to build and lead a robust major gift program at YWCA Utah. The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will work closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and CEO to cultivate, solicit, and steward six-figure transformational gifts, while also overseeing strategies for securing and growing gifts of $1,000+. 

This is a leadership role without direct reports but with high-level responsibility. The MGO must be able to independently and proactively drive the major gifts strategy forward with minimal oversight, taking full ownership of systems, strategy, and execution. 

Essential Job functions 

• Design, build, and lead a comprehensive major gifts program aligned with YWCA’s strategic priorities. 

• Partner with the CEO and CDO to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward six-figure transformational gifts from high-capacity donors. 

• Develop and manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors giving at the $10,000–$1M+ level. 

• Lead cultivation and stewardship strategies for mid-level donors at the $1,000+ level, including events and engagement opportunities. 

• Plan and execute cultivation events and donor experiences tailored to different giving levels. 

• Serve as the internal expert on major gifts—establishing best practices, pipeline development, and donor engagement benchmarks. 

• Manage and track donor relationships and moves using Raiser’s Edge CRM. 

• Assist and coach leadership team and Board members in high-level solicitation and stewardship. 

• Continuously analyze and refine donor strategies based on outcomes and data. 

• Help YWCA Utah donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization 

Competencies & Essential Skills: 

• Self-Leadership: Confident, self-directed, and capable of leading a high-impact fundraising initiative without day-to-day handholding. 

• Strategic Fundraising: Proven success in designing and scaling a major gifts program. 

• Relationship Building: Skilled at building trust and rapport with a diverse donor base and community partners. 

• Results Orientation: Highly motivated by metrics and achieving ambitious fundraising goals. 

• Communication Excellence: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including compelling donor communications and public speaking. 

• Flexibility: Comfortable working independently and as part of a team; willing to work evenings/weekends as needed. 

• Commitment to Equity: Deep alignment with YWCA’s mission and commitment to anti-racism and gender equity. 

Qualifications  

• 8–10 years of fundraising experience, with a minimum of 2 years focused on major gifts. 

• Demonstrated success building relationships with major and mid-level donors. 

• Proven track record of independently developing and managing a major gift program. 

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor management systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge). 

• Ability to work scheduled hours on a regular basis; some evenings and weekends required. 

• Valid Utah driver’s license, automobile access, and valid auto insurance if driving on business. 

Physical/Sensory Demands 

Work is generally performed in a safe and comfortable office environment.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:  sit for long periods of time; use computer to enter data; use telephone to converse with customers and employees; walk and stand for long periods of time; perform repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement. Travel to attend conferences, training, outreach and other events occurs routinely. Rarely required to lift up to 30 lbs.  

Equal Opportunity Employer 

YWCA Utah is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process due to disability, it is available upon request. No applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.