Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer

Port Angeles Food Bank
Reports To: Executive Director
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Location: Port Angeles, WA

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for building and managing relationships with donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $1,000 or more annually, with a focus on growing donors into leadership-level giving of $5,000 and above.

The MGO serves as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of major donors and prospects and plays a key role in securing major gifts, planned gifts, and legacy commitments. This position leads donor engagement efforts related to the Port Angeles Food Bank Legacy Fund and works closely with the Executive Director on major gift opportunities of $25,000 and above.

Success in this role is measured through growth in donor giving, donor retention, planned giving commitments, and long-term philanthropic support for the organization.

Why This Position Matters

The Major Gifts Officer helps secure the philanthropic support necessary to meet today's food security needs while building long-term sustainability through major gifts, planned giving, and the Port Angeles Food Bank Legacy Fund. This position is essential to expanding community investment and ensuring lasting impact for future generations.

Essential Responsibilities

Major Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 major donor prospects and current donors.


• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.


• Conduct regular donor visits, calls, tours, and other meaningful contacts.


• Maintain accurate donor records and moves-management plans in the donor database.


• Identify and qualify new major donor prospects.


• Grow donors from annual gifts of $1,000+ into leadership gifts of $5,000+ and beyond.

Major Gift Fundraising

• Solicit and close major gifts in support of organizational priorities.


• Prepare donor proposals, presentations, and solicitation strategies.


• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Board members, and volunteers on donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.


• Support fundraising initiatives, special campaigns, and strategic funding opportunities.


• Partner with the Executive Director on gifts and proposals of $25,000 and above.

Legacy Fund and Planned Giving

• Lead cultivation efforts supporting the Port Angeles Food Bank Legacy Fund.


• Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned gift and legacy giving prospects.


• Conduct planned giving conversations and donor education activities.


• Maintain a pipeline of planned giving and estate gift opportunities.


• Steward and recognize documented legacy donors.

Community and Organizational Engagement

• Represent the organization professionally in the community.


• Participate in donor events and engagement activities.


• Collaborate with staff to connect donor interests with organizational needs.


• Support a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Performance Expectations

During the first year, the Major Gifts Officer is expected to:

• Maintain a qualified portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospects.


• Complete at least 75 donor visits or substantive meetings annually.


• Increase the number of donors giving $5,000 or more annually.


• Identify and qualify at least 20 new major gift prospects.


• Conduct a minimum of 10 planned giving or legacy gift conversations annually.


• Build and actively manage a Legacy Fund prospect pipeline.


• Support solicitation and stewardship efforts for gifts of $25,000 and above.


• Maintain complete and timely donor documentation.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience in fundraising, sales, business development, relationship management, or a related field.


• Demonstrated success building and managing relationships.


• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Excellent organization and project management skills.


• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.


• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office.


• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Major gifts fundraising experience.


• Planned giving or legacy fundraising experience.


• Experience managing donor portfolios.


• CFRE credential or progress toward certification.


• Familiarity with food banking, hunger relief, or human services organizations.

Core Competencies

• Relationship Building


• Donor-Centered Fundraising


• Strategic Communication


• Initiative and Accountability


• Moves Management


• Professionalism and Discretion


• Project Management


• Results Orientation

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000–$85,000 annually, DOE.

Benefits include medical insurance, retirement benefits, generous paid time off, holiday pay, professional development opportunities, and mileage reimbursement for approved business travel.