Major Gifts Officer

Job Title

Major Gifts Officer

Location

United States of America

Position Type

Paid - Regular

Job Description

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for building and managing meaningful relationships with donors to support SIL’s mission of making God’s Word accessible in the languages people understand best. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors through relational and purpose-driven engagement.

Working within a Christian ministry context, the Major Gifts Officer helps grow a sustainable donor pipeline and advances global impact through generosity and partnership. Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts Fundraising and Portfolio Management

Build and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects through research, referrals, and networking

Develop and implement individualized engagement strategies for each donor

Guide donors through the full giving journey, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

Maintain accurate and timely donor records using CRM systems

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

Maintain consistent and meaningful communication with donors through meetings, calls, written communication, and events

Provide timely acknowledgment and appreciation for gifts

Share impact updates and stories that connect donors to the global and spiritual outcomes of SIL’s work

Prospect Development and Networking

Identify and qualify new donor prospects through internal and external networks

Build relationships with individuals, churches, foundations, and other aligned partners

Collaborate with colleagues to expand and strengthen the donor pipeline

Proposal Development and Collaboration

Partner with program and development staff to develop compelling funding opportunities

Prepare and present donor proposals and funding requests

Work collaboratively across teams to ensure clarity and consistency in donor engagement

Faith and Mission Context

This role is grounded in SIL’s Christian identity and global mission. The organization views generosity as an expression of discipleship and participation in God’s work of making Scripture accessible to every language community.

The Major Gifts Officer engages donors in a relational and values-based approach that recognizes giving as part of spiritual formation and mission partnership. This includes communicating authentically about faith, ministry impact, and the transformative outcomes of generosity, while respecting each donor’s individual journey.

Qualifications

Required Experience

Experience in fundraising, relationship management, sales, or a related field

Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail

Confidence in donor engagement and funding conversations

Ability to translate organizational impact into compelling narratives

Personal Attributes

Self-motivated and able to work independently

Collaborative and team-oriented

Patient, relational, and long-term oriented

Alignment with SIL’s mission and Christian values

Additional Information

This role may include travel for donor meetings and events

Success is built over time through consistent relationship development and stewardship

This is a mission-driven role within a faith-based organization

Weekly Hours

40