- A major gifts officer develops a strategy to ask for major gifts and strives to meet goals for making a set number of solicitations or raise a predetermined amount of money. A major gifts officer is assigned a territory in which he cultivates and manages a portfolio of individuals who have the capacity to give a large gift and who may be interested in supporting the organization. Major gifts officers must also establish personal relationships and keep a written record of the status of the relationships.
- Most nonprofit organizations require that a major gifts officer have a bachelor's degree. Major gifts officers should have some experience in fundraising. They need excellent verbal and written communication skills, a willingness to travel and the ability to use desktop software. A major gifts officer is also expected to commit to the values of the organization.
- The ability to initiate, cultivate and maintain personal relationships are key traits of a successful major gifts officer, according to David Reis of the nonprofit organization Orbis International. Employers who are seeking a new major gifts officer will want to see evidence that a person has had prior success in establishing relationships with donors.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.3 million people were employed by nonprofit organizations in 2008. BLS expects for nonprofit employment opportunities to increase by 14 percent. Indeed.com reports the average salary for a major gifts officer to be $72,000.
next post