JOB SUMMARY
The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for developing and managing relationships with current and prospective major donors to support Forest Home's vision, programs, and capital needs. This position will focus on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making gifts of ($10,000+) or more annually.
The ideal candidate will be a committed follower of Jesus Christ with a heart for ministry, a high degree of emotional intelligence, and a proven ability to engage major donors in transformational giving.
The Major Gifts Officer works directly under the direction of the Chief Development Officer in the execution and support of the Forest Home strategies. The Major Gifts Officer is a key member of the development team, responsible for securing and growing significant philanthropic support. In addition to managing their own portfolio of high-capacity donors, the MGO oversees the Charitable Gift Advisor and Annual Fund Coordinator, ensuring a coordinated donor pipeline and an integrated strategy that advances donor relationships at every level.
This is a full-time, remote position working out of a home office. Seasonal travel to Forest Home in Forest Falls is required during the summer months or as needed for donor engagement, as well as regional travel throughout Southern California including but not limited to Orange County, San Diego County, Los Angeles County, Arizona and Nevada.
Position Summary
We are seeking a passionate, strategic Major Gift Officer (MGO) to grow Forest Home's mission through meaningful donor relationships and transformational giving. The MGO identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals capable of giving $15,000 or more annually in support of Forest Home's programs, scholarships, and capital needs.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the MGO manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and partners closely with the Annual Fund Coordinator to build a coordinated pipeline that moves donors from mid-level to major and planned giving.
The ideal candidate is a committed follower of Jesus Christ with a heart for ministry, high emotional intelligence, and a proven record of inspiring donors toward generous, joyful giving.
Annual Performance Goals
Success in this role is measured against the following annual targets, set in partnership with the Chief Development Officer.
Metric
Annual target
Major gift revenue
$3,750,000
Active portfolio
250 major donors and prospects
Donor retention
85-90%
Multi-year pledge conversations (3-5 year commitments)
20-30
15:1 Partnership program growth
New partners at $25,000+
Donor engagement
Weekly face-to-face, virtual, and phone meetings
Key Responsibilities
Donor Relationships and Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 major donors and prospects, building authentic, long-term relationships through personalized engagement.
- Lead every stage of the donor cycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, follow-up, stewardship, and recognition.
- Develop an individual cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plan for each donor in the portfolio.
- Conduct weekly face-to-face visits, virtual meetings, and calls with current and prospective donors.
- Open new relationships through targeted prospect lists, referrals, and networking.
- Host on-site camp tours for donors and prospects.
Solicitation and Fundraising Strategy
- Partner with the Chief Development Officer to set annual major gift goals and strategy.
- Secure major gifts for the annual fund, capital campaigns, scholarships, and special projects.
- Cultivate and secure multi-year (3-5 year) pledges and grow the 15:1 Partnership program at the $25,000+ level.
- Prepare compelling proposals, cases for support, impact reports, and donor presentations.
- Use DonorSearch screening and giving data to identify new prospects, upgrade existing donors, and qualify out unresponsive ones.
- Connect each donor's philanthropic passions with Forest Home's mission through a gospel-centered approach.
Pipeline Collaboration
- Work with the Annual Fund Coordinator on a regular cadence to identify and qualify mid-level donors with major gift potential.
- Ensure alignment across the full giving pipeline, from mid-level to major and planned gifts.
- Contribute to a collaborative, goal-oriented culture within the development team.
Reporting and Administration
- Keep donor records, contact reports, and activity current in Bloomerang.
- Provide regular progress reports to the Chief Development Officer.
- Collaborate with the marketing team on donor communications.
- Ensure acknowledgments and recognition reflect excellence and Christian values.
- Uphold the highest ethical and confidentiality standards in all fundraising activity.
- Steward ministry resources wisely, managing travel expenses and submitting them on time.
Ministry Engagement
- Pray for and offer spiritual support to donors and internal staff.
- Represent Forest Home at camp events, retreats, and ministry gatherings.
- Model Christlike character and uphold Forest Home's vision, mission, and core values.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Minimum 5 years of major gift fundraising experience.
- Demonstrated success securing individual gifts of $70,000+ and growing a donor portfolio year over year.
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ with a heart for ministry and alignment with Forest Home's Statement of Faith.
- Strong presentation skills for individuals and groups, plus excellent written communication (proposals, emails, handwritten notes).
- Poise and professionalism with donors, board members, and executive leadership.
- Self-motivated, with the discipline to manage a full calendar of donor visits independently.
- Strong attention to detail, discernment, and high emotional intelligence.
- Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel regularly.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree.
- Experience with Bloomerang or a similar CRM, and with DonorSearch or other wealth-screening tools.
- Experience with capital campaigns, multi-year pledges, and planned giving.
- Established network in Southern California, Arizona, or Nevada.
- CFRE certification.
Travel and Work Environment
This is a remote position based in a home office. Regular travel is required throughout Southern California (including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties), Arizona, and Nevada for donor meetings. Seasonal travel to the Forest Home campus in Forest Falls, CA is required during the summer and as needed for donor engagement and events.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $100,000-$120,000 per year, commensurate with experience and demonstrated fundraising results. Benefits include medical coverage, disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with company match, PTO holidays and a complimentary week at Forest Home Family Camp for your family. Travel expenses are reimbursed.
