Major Gifts Manager

Growing nonprofit in downtown Boston looking for a Major Gifts Manager to work as part of team to drive major gifts and support growing fundraising efforts. This organization serves the mental wellness space and has an incredible mission.  

Company: This organization provides prevention, intervention, and postvention services that make our communities healthier and happier, and reduces the stigma associated with suicide and mental health concerns. They provide a working environment that celebrates the positive lifesaving work that occurs there each and every day

Hours/Schedule: Full-time, 40 hour week

Benefits: Competitive benefits including health/dental/vision and 401 K, with employer match. Additional benefits include employee assistance programs, Healthcare FSA and Childcare DCA, annual professional development budget, and life insurance.

Job Type: Direct

Location Requirements: Hybrid, 2 days in Boston based office

Rate: Annual Salary ranging from $72,000-$86,000 based on experience 

Job Description: The Development Team is seeking an articulate, organized, and passionate Major Gifts Manager to support our growing fundraising efforts. This new role is key to achieving our revenue goals by managing donor relationships, ensuring effective stewardship, and enhancing development operations.

The Major Gifts Manager will work in close partnership with the Director of Leadership Giving (DLG), Chief Development Officer (CDO), Chief Campaign Officer (CCO), and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to support cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation efforts. A core responsibility of this role is to identify, research, qualify, and assign donor portfolios, as well as manage a portfolio of major gift prospects.

This position will oversee donor data, reporting, and stewardship activities, while also supporting relationships with major, leadership, and planned gift donors. The Manager will engage and support volunteer leadership (Board and Volunteer Council Members) in their fundraising roles—from onboarding through ongoing donor engagement and solicitation.

The position also collaborates with the marketing team to craft compelling donor communications and share the organization's impact with key audiences.

The ideal candidate will have at least two years of development experience (major gifts experience preferred), strong project management and interpersonal communication skills, and a track record of executing complex initiatives. 

Responsibilities:
Development Operations - 

• Utilize moves management system to manage donor pipeline: qualify prospects, recommend for relationship manager assignments, and manage portfolios
• Assist in identifying, researching, and tracking viable prospects for major, leadership, and planned gift opportunities
• Provide administrative support for team members, including scheduling meetings, preparing presentation materials, making travel arrangements, and other logistical tasks
• Coordinate and execute solicitation communications
• Manage the major gift pledge payment system and related donor communications
• Enter and track donor information, opportunities, and communications; develop and produce reports and analyze data to support stewardship and fundraising efforts

Donor Engagement -

• Manage a portfolio of Life Saving Society donors to inspire continued and increased support 
• Manage engagement activities to steward major, leadership, and planned gift donors 
• Recruit, onboard, and manage Samaritans Council members
• Invite and encourage prospects and donors to attend fundraising, community-building, and other mission-driven events
• Support board members’ fundraising efforts in partnership with staff leadership 
• Design and administer donor communications using Salesforce
• Prepare cultivation and stewardship materials in partnership with the marketing team

Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of development experience, preferably in major gifts
• Strong organizational, project, and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail 
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks on deadline, with appropriate follow-up and reporting
• Experience preferred in Salesforce NPSP, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and wealth screening software 
• Prior experience in researching individual donors and prospects 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• High energy and positive can-do attitude is essential
• Empathetic nature and a strong passion for Samaritans’ mission
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team player
• Comfortable engaging with individuals at all levels of seniority, both within and outside the organization
• Strong professionalism and diplomacy, including the ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support donor events