Major Gifts Officer

ORGANIZATION:

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 675+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders.

As we prepare to celebrate our 25th Anniversary, Rainier Scholars is poised to expand its impact and deepen engagement with supporters committed to advancing our mission.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations as part of a supportive and mission-driven Advancement team, the Major Gifts Officer (MGO) plays a critical role in advancing Rainier Scholars’ mission by developing and executing strategies to secure significant financial support from individual donors. This role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift prospects capable of making contributions of $5,000 or more annually, while also contributing to the overall culture of philanthropy within the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee a portfolio of 75-100 major gift donors and prospects, building and maintaining meaningful relationships.
• Conduct donor meetings, site visits, and other engagement activities to inspire and deepen commitment to Rainier Scholars.
• Collaborate with the Director of Donor Relations to develop annual goals and metrics for the major gifts program.
• Design and execute customized asks that align with donors’ passions and Rainier Scholars' funding priorities.
• Develop and implement timely stewardship of all major gift donors through personalized communication, acknowledgment, and engagement opportunities.
• Manage recognition efforts, such as special events, donor appreciation activities, and impact reporting.
• Partner with colleagues on the Advancement Team to align major gift strategies with organizational priorities and campaigns, including planned giving and endowment initiatives.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Team to develop materials that inspire major gift donors.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify impactful stories and opportunities to showcase Rainier Scholars' work.
• Maintain accurate donor records, ensuring all interactions and updates are captured in the CRM system.
• Provide regular progress reports on portfolio activity and results, analyzing data to refine approaches and improve outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• A deep commitment to the mission of Rainier Scholars and a passion for educational equity.
• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor communications.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred

• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in the Tacoma/Pierce County area.
• Experience working with planned giving and endowment fundraising.
• Familiarity with issues related to educational equity and access for underrepresented communities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation for this role is $90,000 - 100,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer paid medical and dental benefits; employer paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave and holiday pay.

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Seattle office, with 2-3 days/week working in-person. This role may require some work in the evenings and weekends. This schedule is subject to change as needs arise.

Our work is rooted in ensuring people from marginalized communities have the opportunity to thrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and strongly encourage people of color, first generation college graduates, and people from working class backgrounds to apply.