Major Gift Officer

Organization Overview

Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UUSC is a human rights organization that strives to advance human rights, dismantle systems of oppression, and uplift the inherent dignity and power of all people. We focus our work in three intersectional areas of justice: Migrant Justice, Climate and Disaster Justice, and International Justice and Accountability. We center the voices and experiences of those most affected and strengthen those grassroots groups and movements who are organizing themselves to advance these goals. UUSC believes that those facing injustice are best equipped to define and dismantle systems of oppression and protect their rights to self-determination, equity, and justice; they are the champions for progressive movements for change.  

Position Overview

The Major Gift Officer will work closely with the Director of Individual Giving, as well as the Vice President, Development to ensure that UUSC meets its fundraising objectives for Major Gifts and Planned Giving. The Major Gift Officer will sustain and develop donor relationships to ensure the fulfillment of major gifts, planned gifts, and special campaign goals. This role will maintain a portfolio of major donors and prospective supporters located throughout the United States, with a focus on upgrading supporters to the major donor level.

The Major Gift Officer will work in close collaboration with other Development Department team members to deepen relationships with UUSC supporters and advance targeted major gift strategies and activities to grow UUSC’s revenue and help secure the institution’s future financial stability. This role will be required to travel for donor meetings approximately 30 percent of the time.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Major Donor Engagement

• Manage a portfolio of major gift supporters and prospects.
• Cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts to reach annual revenue and donor engagement goals.
• Special focus will be on upgrading supporters from UUSC’s Direct Mail Program to the Major Donor and Stewardship Circle giving levels.
• Work closely with the President, Vice President of Development, and Director of Individual Giving to develop tactics for major gift strategies and solicitation and outreach plans.
• Accompany UUSC supporters on domestic and international partner visits, as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the Senior Philanthropy Officer, promote established planned giving strategies.
• Participate in overall strategic planning for major gifts fundraising efforts.

Event Coordination & Engagement

• Travel to meet with supporters and UU congregations to engage constituents, build relationships, and generate support for UUSC programs.
• Present on UUSC’s work at congregational and donor receptions, as appropriate.
• Participate in the production of donor communications and correspondence.
• Attend and assist in the planning of special events and affinity group and Steering Committee meetings, as well as donor roundtable calls.

Gift Tracking & Follow-up

• Maintain detailed records of donor contact and ensure all correspondence is entered in UUSC’s database.
• Develop proposals and reports for institutional and family foundations.
• Identify and research prospective donors, with support from the Major Gifts Associate.
• In coordination with Major Gifts colleagues, develop and implement plan to acknowledge and recognize all planned, major, and special gift donations.
• Attend programmatic meetings and connect with colleagues across the institution to remain current on UUSC’s activities and partner work.

Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Required and Desired Qualifications

• Five to seven years of major gifts and development experience required, with a track record of success in raising individual gifts of $50,000 or more
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent skills and knowledge from experience required
• Graduate degree preferred
• Experience with planned giving and special gift initiatives
• Experience working with boards and senior management

• Ability to prioritize work and quickly respond to changing urgent priorities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Demonstrated interest in, and ability to effectively communicate about, international development and UUSC’s mission
• Demonstrated ability to form and sustain relationships with major donors
• Ability to work independently as well with a strong team
• Experience coordinating/supervising major gift processes

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements include the ability to operate a laptop and cellular phone, and other tools as related to the position, with or without reasonable accommodations. The Major Gift Officer will be required to travel for donor meetings approximately 30 percent of the time.

Remote employees can be based in any state where UUSC is registered as a business, including MA, ME, CT, NY, MD, Washington D.C., VA, NC, FL, GA, MN, WA. Hybrid employees must live within commuting distance to the Cambridge, MA office and be available for weekly commuting to work in Cambridge. Exact expectations are based on the needs of the position and department. This job description does not serve as an employment contract. Travel for the position, including domestically and internationally, could be up to 30% of the time

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity

UUSC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. UUSC’s mission affirms and celebrates the inherent dignity and power of every person.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, or you require a religious accommodation, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations, please contact the Human Resources Director, John Howard, at [email protected].