Major Gifts Officer

Status: Fulltime and Exempt

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Schedule of Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM

Possible Percentage of Work from Home: Up to 50%

Mandated Reporter: No

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

CORA’s mission is to provide safety, support and healing for individuals who experience abuse in an intimate relationship, and educate the community to break the cycle of domestic violence.

As the only agency in San Mateo County with the sole purpose of serving those experiencing intimate partner abuse, CORA provides safety, support, and healing. CORA’s comprehensive services include a 24-hour hotline, collaboration with law enforcement, safe house options, legal services, and family-centered mental health therapy. In addition, CORA provides community education and prevention programming throughout the county. CORA is a multicultural agency committed to serving individuals regardless of age, ethnicity/race, financial status, language, sexual orientation, immigration status, class, religion, gender, gender expression, or mental or physical ability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Major Gifts Officer plays a vital role in CORA’s development team, with three primary responsibilities – cultivation and stewardship of major donors, of major donor pipeline, and the development and management of strategic fundraising initiatives – to maximize all individual donor revenue growth. This role must prioritize donor retention and growth, building long-term relationships, conducting donor research, and developing strategies to increase donor support and annual fund campaign success. It is a high-touch role involving regular meetings, calls, and a variety of personal touchpoints with major donors. The position will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the Board members and Board Development committee, and the development team to maximize individual donor revenue growth.

The Major Gifts Officer will focus on major donor cultivation and stewardship, as well as oversight and implementation of strategic fundraising initiatives. This role is key in retaining current donors, building relationships for planned giving, conducting donor research, and developing strategies to increase donor support and campaign success. The position will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other stakeholders to enhance CORA’s fundraising efforts, ensuring effective stewardship and long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate is experienced in donor cultivation and strategic fundraising, passionate about growing relationships, and capable of creating impactful fundraising campaigns.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, conducting virtual/ face-to-face meetings, phone calls and solicit gifts to meet financial goals.
• Devise creative upgrade strategies for your donors.
• Focus on retention, planned giving, donor research, and relationship building.
• Cultivate relationships with existing donors to ensure long-term engagement and support.
• Develop and execute planned giving programs that encourage donors to make long-term commitments.

Strategy Work

• Develop donor pipeline strategies, corporate sponsorships, and oversee fundraising campaigns.
• Create and implement new initiatives to grow CORA’s fundraising capacity, including outreach to individual donors and the creation of new retention programs.
• Plan and oversee execution of campaigns such as End of Year, End of Fiscal Year, Giving Tuesday.

Strengthened Donor Cultivation

• Focus on outreach to individual donors, creating retention programs, scaling recurring giving, and increasing donor levels.
• Cultivate opportunities for major donors, ensuring stewardship and retention of key supporters.

Major Donor Development

• Improve planned giving initiatives, donor research, and donor engagement for long-term retention.
• Develop strategies to grow major giving opportunities and increase the impact of key supporters.

Event Management

• Ensure event management is assigned to someone with the capacity to focus on cultivating opportunities to increase donor engagement.
• Collaborate with team to develop a strategy for donor-focused events that align with CORA’s mission including VIP and Leadership circle events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in donor cultivation, fundraising strategy, or nonprofit development.
• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred).
• Proven success in generating fundraising growth.
• Proven experience in donor strategy, and event management.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience with CRM systems such as Bloomerang.
• Excellent communication skills, with a passion for engaging donors and the community.
• Prefer candidates with leadership experience within a non-profit.
• Prefer candidates with CFRE credential.
• Prefer candidates with passion for work involving the impact of Intimate Partner Abuse.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Has valid CA Driver’s license, insurance, and ability to drive own vehicle for work purposes to travel within San Mateo County.
• The position may require working outside of standard office hours to attend fundraising events and meetings.

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS – NO

This position is not a mandated reporter.

CORA HISTORY AND OVERVIEW

CORA has provided services to survivors of intimate partner abuse since 1977. Our services include Crisis Intervention, Safe House options, long-term supportive housing, mental health counseling, and legal advocacy. CORA also leads community education initiatives to help prevent domestic violence and to foster healthier relationships. CORA is committed to a collaborative, strengths-based, and client-centered approach that respects the diverse backgrounds and needs of survivors.

CORA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek diversity with respect to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and any other category protected by Federal, State, or other applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

All applicants are welcome. Individuals who are bilingual, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and/or survivors of domestic violence are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until filled.