Major Donor Engagement Officer - unfoldingWord

Major Donor Engagement Officer - unfoldingWord

 

Remote  |   Full-time, contract to hire

unfoldingWord seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Major Donor Engagement Officer to cultivate, solicit, and steward transformative gifts ($10,000 to seven figures) from high-capacity individuals, businesses, churches, and foundations. Reporting to the CDO, this role advances our vision of a church in every people group and the Bible in every language. This is a ministry role requiring both fundraising excellence and personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Character

• Mission-Driven- Personal faith in Jesus Christ and alignment with unfoldingWord’s Statement of Faith and Core Values; able to speak authentically about Bible translation with high-capacity donors.
• Relationship-Oriented- Builds trust, listens actively, and cultivates long-term donor partnerships grounded in shared Kingdom purpose.
• High Integrity- Exercises ethics, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive donor information.
• Strategic Thinker- Balances big-picture vision with attention to detail in portfolio management.
• Resilient & Self-Motivated- Works independently with high energy through the long arc of major gift cultivation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute major gift strategies to meet annual and campaign fundraising goals.
• Manage a portfolio of 75–150 donors and prospects; conduct research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship through face-to-face meetings, proposals, and presentations.
• Build and maintain relationships with high-capacity donors, business owners, family foundations, and church leaders.
• Collaborate with the CDO and program leaders to identify funding opportunities and build compelling cases for support.
• Lead moves management using Virtuous CRM, ensuring donor interactions and touchpoints are documented promptly and strategies are adjusted as needed.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field.
• 3–5 years of major gift fundraising in nonprofit, ministry, or higher education; proven track record closing gifts of $10,000 .
• Familiarity with CRM and prospect research tools (Virtuous, DonorSearch, WealthEngine, LexisNexis).
  Ability to travel and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Preferred: CFRE certification (or in progress), experience with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and knowledge of planned giving vehicles.

Skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication; credible with major donors and organizational leadership.
• Collaborative across development, marketing, and communications teams with a track record of providing good stewardship portfolios.