Major Gifts Officer (Principal Philanthropic Advisor)

The American Battlefield Trust, the only national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s battlefields from the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War, seeks a Major Gifts Officer to join our team of dedicated fundraising professionals. We are a non-partisan organization, and present history as accurately and completely as possible to inspire an appreciation of our country’s shared history. Our donors are passionate and deeply committed, and they are a pleasure to partner with.

America’s 250th birthday is approaching, yet increasing development pressures are threatening our country’s battlefields like never before. The Trust is dedicated to preserving these sites and educating the public about their significance. Join us in this vital effort! A rewarding perk of working with us is the opportunity to experience history firsthand through exclusive tours with our nation’s best historians!

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will build relationships with our donors, learning about their passions and interests with an eye toward matching donor interests with the needs of the Trust. They will actively manage a portfolio consisting of donors and prospects at all phases of the solicitation cycle—qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The MGO will invite donors in their portfolio to participate in our capital campaign by supporting projects and programs in line with their interests.

The role will be titled Principal Philanthropic Advisor (Major Gift Officer is used for hiring purposes only). The Trust has two existing Principal Philanthropic Advisors with extensive experience. They highly value their work at the Trust citing factors such as strong camaraderie, supportive work environment and management, a meaningful mission, and engaged, generous donors.

Principal Responsibilities:

The Major Gifts Officer will:

• Manage a portfolio of 150 donors and qualified prospects nationwide, through in-person visits and meaningful interactions to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to successfully close major gifts ($25,000 to $500,000+);
• Dedicate 33-50% of time to travel for face-to-face meetings, strengthening donor relationships and securing commitments.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer and key stakeholders to meet or exceed dollar and visit goals, with a focus on securing new multi-year gifts in support of a major capital campaign;
• Develop and implement tailored strategies to connect donors with the organization's priority funding needs. Use tools such as custom, small battlefield tours as an exciting way to engage with donors.
• Serve as a knowledgeable ambassador for the American Battlefield Trust, effectively articulating its mission, strategic priorities, and funding needs.
• Contribute to or review donor engagement materials, including briefings, proposals, solicitations, and acknowledgments.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in our CRM EveryAction, tracking interactions, proposals, and engagement strategies in accordance with organizational policies.

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

The American Battlefield Trust seeks a Major Gifts Officer with:

• A commitment to the mission of American Battlefield Trust to preserve our nation’s hallowed battlegrounds and educate the public about what happened there and why it matters today.
• Experience in donor and prospect management and gift solicitation, including a proven track record of closing major gifts and stewarding donor relationships; experience securing gifts as part of a capital campaign is preferred but not required.
• A high level of accountability, self-motivation, and ability to work independently and with confidentiality;
• Strong communication skills and ability to write effectively;
• A keen attention to detail and an ability to maintain high standards;
• A professional demeanor and good judgment when interacting with the American Battlefield Trust’s staff and leadership team, high net worth prospective donors, and key stakeholders; and
• Competency with Microsoft Office. Proficiency with CRM databases required, and experience with EveryAction is preferred.

A bachelor's degree is required for this position as is at least five years of major gift fundraising or sales experience.