Major Gift Officer

Job Title: Major Gift Officer

Department: Development/Fundraising

Location: Washington, DC

Supervisor: VP of Development

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA

The mission of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) is to accompany, serve and advocate the cause of refugees and forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn and determine their own future. JRS works in 58 countries worldwide to meet the educational, health, psychosocial and emergency needs of over 1.25 million refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, regardless of race, ethnic origin or religious beliefs. For information about JRS/USA visit www.jrsusa.org.

The Major Gift Officer is a full-time position on the JRS/USA Development team with a function to build and strengthen relationships with, and request support from, high-net-worth individuals for unrestricted and restricted program funds. JRS/USA has an extensive donor prospect pool and is looking for an experienced and collaborative team member to help support the global JRS mission by focusing on US major donors capable of five and six figure gifts.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management:

• Build and manage a portfolio of 100 prospects with the capacity to make significant gifts, primarily in the five to six-figure range with a goal to reach $750,000 – $1,000,000 in contributed revenue annually.
• Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to secure major gifts for both domestic and global JRS programs.
• In partnership with the Senior Donor Relations Officer and major gift team, identify and qualify new major gift prospects, and deepen relationships with existing donors.
• Collaborate with the JRS/USA program team and the Program Coordinator for Grants to understand funding needs and craft compelling proposals that align with donor interests.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:

• Cultivate meaningful relationships with prospective and current donors through personalized outreach, events, calls, and in-person visits, aligning their philanthropic goals with JRS’s global mission.
• Steward major donors by providing timely and thoughtful recognition, including impact reports and exclusive updates on JRS programs in collaboration with the Program Coordinator for Grants and the Major Gift Team.
• Plan and participate in donor events, JRS site visits, and other cultivation activities designed to engage donors and demonstrate the impact of their support.
• Offer planned giving prospects appropriate current and deferred strategies and methods of giving to maximize gift and tax benefits.

Goal Setting & Reporting:

• Establish and achieve annual revenue portfolio goals, ensuring measurable growth in funding for JRS initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of donor interactions, solicitation strategies, and gift documentation in the donor database.
• Provide regular progress reports to the Vice President of Development and the major gift team, outlining key metrics related to donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience:

• Minimum of six years of experience in front-line fundraising, with a strong track record of successfully securing major gifts in the nonprofit sector.
• Proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individuals and families, with a focus on gifts of $25,000+.
• Experience as a fundraiser for an international humanitarian or refugee organization preferred.
• Special Events experience preferred.
• Familiarity with Jesuit or Catholic organizations helpful but not required.

Skills:

• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect and engage with high-net-worth donors, and board members.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present and adapt compelling proposals and donor communications.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with software and technical programs including donor management software (CRM), Microsoft Office, and data management systems. Salesforce CRM experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently, with a high degree of initiative and self-motivation, while also collaborating effectively with internal teams.

Travel Required:

• Willingness to travel nationally to meet with donors and prospects and possibly internationally to visit JRS program sites.

Work Schedule:

• Two days in Washington DC office and three days remote.

JRS/USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, JRS/USA does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by the law. We welcome applicants from a diverse spectrum of qualified candidates.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year