Major Gifts Officer
Global Ministries
Atlanta, GA
Anticipated Start Date: 3/31/25
Description
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will serve a vital role in representing the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) to a wide range of donors and stakeholders. This position will benefit from a comprehensive understanding of United Methodist Church theology, organizational structure, governance (polity), and require a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The MGO will focus on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gift prospects to secure significant philanthropic investments in support of the missions of both agencies.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for managing a portfolio of 75–125 prospects and donors, developing customized strategies for engagement and stewardship, and helping to grow and sustain a robust major gifts pipeline. This individual will collaborate cross-functionally with program teams and leadership to craft compelling proposals and donor communications and will play a critical role in enhancing donor experiences and deepening long-term relationships.
Responsibilities
Major Gift Fundraising and Strategy: Manage a portfolio of 75–125 major gift prospects, developing and implementing customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to deepen donor engagement and secure gifts of $100,000 and above. Align fundraising approaches with agency priorities and broader development strategies established by the CDO.
Donor Cultivation and Relationship Management: Build and maintain long-term relationships with major donors and prospects through personalized outreach, ongoing engagement, and impact reporting. Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship that communicates gratitude and demonstrates the value of each donor’s contribution.
Proposal Development and Reporting: Draft and refine compelling proposals, donor communications, and stewardship reports that reflect each agency’s mission, programmatic impact, and alignment with donor interests. Maintain accurate records in the donor database and contribute to reporting for internal review.
Internal Collaboration and Support: Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer, communications, finance, and program teams to ensure accurate, compelling, and strategic messaging in all donor-facing materials. Support cross-departmental initiatives that enhance donor experience and fundraising effectiveness.
Fundraising Metrics and Goal Achievement: Track engagement activity, pipeline progress, and revenue outcomes. Regularly evaluate performance against individual goals, helping to ensure overall fundraising targets are met or exceeded in coordination with the development team.
Requirements
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as public relations, marketing, or communications.
Proven success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, with a strong record of securing five- and six-figure gifts.
5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a focus on major gifts or individual giving.
Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, with a thoughtful, donor-centered approach.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build authentic relationships and represent the mission with passion and integrity.
Data-informed mindset, with comfort using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) to track activity, measure performance, and guide strategy.
The ability to travel regularly to meet donors in person (regionally and nationally), including occasional weekends or evenings.
Salary Range and Employee Benefits
Salary Range: $89,119 - $142,589
How to Apply for this Job
About the Organization
The General Board of Global Ministries is the worldwide mission, relief, and development agency of The United Methodist Church, working with partners and churches in more than 115 countries to equip and transform people and places for God’s mission. Global Ministries connects the church in mission through the sending of missionaries, evangelism and church revitalization, disaster response and recovery led by the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and global health. HEM: As stewards of the educational mission and intellectual life of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) connects the church and the academy and develops transformational leaders for the ministry of the church. Elders, deacons and licensed local pastors benefit from our training and candidacy programs. Young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. GBHEM also supports and connects networks of more than 1,000 United Methodist and Methodist-related schools, colleges, and universities around the world.
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