Major Gifts Officer

We’re seeking a dynamic Major Gifts Officer with proven frontline fundraising and relationship-building expertise to drive meaningful donor engagement and elevate our mission’s impact. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Major Gift Officer (MGO) is a key member of the Development leadership team responsible for securing significant philanthropic support to advance the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. The MGO’s primary responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals and families capable of making major gifts in support of organizational investment priorities. Additionally, this role is expected to build and lead a highly effective planned giving program, establishing strategies to engage current and prospective donors in legacy giving.

As the organization prepares to enter the silent phase of a comprehensive campaign in 2026, the Major Gift Officer will play a pivotal role in achieving campaign goals. This position manages a portfolio of approximately 200 qualified major gift prospects and donors, developing tailored engagement strategies and securing gifts of $10,000 and above to support the campaign and long-term organizational growth.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

Fundraising

Collaborate closely with the Chief Development Officer, Campaign Director, and other frontline fundraisers to develop individualized strategies for each prospect, guiding them through the donor lifecycle to maximize philanthropic support.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 200 high-quality donor relationships, cultivating long-term engagement and maximizing capacity for transformational giving to the organization’s annual and comprehensive campaigns.
• Achieve annual performance goals, including: 200 substantive donor contacts, 50 major gift proposals, a minimum of $1 million in new gifts and pledges annually
• Engage and support selected Board Members, Executive Management Team members, and program leaders in donor relationship development to ensure every major donor has a personal connection to the organization’s leadership.
• Through research and personal contact, identify and assess both the capacity and inclination of prospects, defining tailored strategies to inspire significant philanthropic investments.
• Develop strategies to expand the organization’s philanthropic base, identifying new revenue streams and cultivating emerging donor markets.
• Partner with the Development Operations team to maintain detailed and accurate records of all donor interactions, strategies, and progress in Salesforce.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align donor engagement strategies with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Planned Giving

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of the organization’s planned giving program, enhancing and expanding the 1983 Legacy Circle.

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward planned and deferred gifts (including bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and beneficiary designations), ensuring integration with the organization’s broader culture of philanthropy.
• Partner with the Donor Relations Manager to provide ongoing, personalized stewardship to members of the 1983 Legacy Circle.
• Establish measurable goals for planned giving growth, including commitments, pipeline development, and marketing outreach.
• Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies to promote planned giving opportunities, including donor stories, digital campaigns, newsletters, and website content.
• Provide training and resources for staff, leadership, and board members to identify and engage potential planned giving prospects.
• Serve as the organization’s internal expert on estate planning vehicles, gift structures, and tax implications related to charitable contributions.
• Collaborate with donors, their financial advisors, and legal counsel to structure planned gifts that align with donor intent and organizational needs.
• Ensure the accurate recording, tracking, and reporting of all planned gifts and commitments in the donor database.
• Maintain and regularly update policies and procedures related to planned giving and gift acceptance.

Campaign & Strategic Collaboration

Contribute to the planning and execution of the comprehensive campaign by developing donor strategies, assisting with campaign materials, and supporting recognition and stewardship activities.

• Partner with senior leadership and board members to align campaign goals with broader institutional priorities.
• Track and analyze fundraising outcomes to inform strategy and ensure accountability toward annual and campaign objectives.

This full-time, salaried position offers a comprehensive benefits package, a supportive work environment with a hybrid work option for some administrative duties, and a competitive starting salary range of $110-120K annually.

The salary offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented group.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or certification preferred. 7-10 years of professional fundraising experience with a proven record of securing major gifts ($10,000+) from individual donors. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet this minimum hiring criteria.

• While this position does not need to be a Planned Giving Expert, the ideal candidate demonstrates success in planned giving, including experience with bequests, trusts, or other estate vehicles.
• Experience working in a nonprofit or community-based organization, ideally within a campaign or complex fundraising environment.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able drive a motor vehicle and to pass a MRV review.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet this minimum hiring criteria.

Skills and Abilities:  

This role requires a highly strategic, donor-centered, and results-driven professional with demonstrated success in major and planned gift fundraising, a deep understanding of donor motivation, and a commitment to building long-term, mission-aligned relationships.

• Must have strong competency in all Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), social media literacy, and proficiency in Microsoft Outlook/Team.
• Exceptional interpersonal, listening, and communication skills (written and oral), with the ability to build and sustain strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and donors.
• Proven ability to set priorities, manage multiple projects, and achieve goals with attention to detail and high-quality standards.
• Creative, energetic, and self-motivated professional who takes initiative and adapts effectively to evolving needs.
• Strong organizational, time management, and project leadership skills from design through implementation.
• Demonstrated discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.
• Strong organizational and research skills, including the ability to generate, document and interpret data.
• Knowledge of the Boston Jewish community is desirable.

Physical Requirements:  Requires frequent local traveling and must be able to work evenings, weekends and/or irregular hours as necessary to interact with donors and prospects and attend relevant meetings and events. This position can be hybrid; most of the essential tasks require an in-person presence while some may be performed remotely. This position also involves some regular standard desk work; use of computer equipment and standing and sitting frequently. 

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.