What are the responsibilities and job description for the Major Gift Officer position at Maryland SPCA?
Maryland SPCA
Job Description
Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
Reports to: Institutional Giving Manager
Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
FLSA Status: Exempt
Date Created: 11/18/25
Position Summary
Join a caring, committed team working together to make a difference for companion animals in our community!
Reporting to the Individual Giving Manager, the Major Gifts Officer plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Maryland SPCA by managing and growing a portfolio of major donors and prospects. This position will help identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals capable of making significant gifts ($10,000 ), creating meaningful donor experiences that inspire lasting philanthropic commitment.
The Major Gifts Officer will also develop and implement tailored fundraising strategies to cultivate, diversify, and steward donors, while preparing the groundwork for the organization’s upcoming Capital Campaign.
What You Will Be Doing
This is a full-time position, eligible for a hybrid schedule after 90 days. Remote work will be reevaluated based on success in a remote setting. Periodic physical presence for on-site and off-site events, meetings, and trainings will be required.
The MD SPCA provides a shared office setting. Applicants should expect a low to moderate noise level and limited privacy.
Occasional off-site meetings, evening and weekend work hours will be required.
Intermittent exposure to animals, which includes the risk of scratches and bites and occasional high noise levels.
Physical Demands
The Maryland SPCA’s mission is to reduce pet homelessness by providing pet retention services, safety net housing, and community engagement that empowers citizens of Baltimore and beyond.
Job Description
Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
Reports to: Institutional Giving Manager
Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
FLSA Status: Exempt
Date Created: 11/18/25
Position Summary
Join a caring, committed team working together to make a difference for companion animals in our community!
Reporting to the Individual Giving Manager, the Major Gifts Officer plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Maryland SPCA by managing and growing a portfolio of major donors and prospects. This position will help identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals capable of making significant gifts ($10,000 ), creating meaningful donor experiences that inspire lasting philanthropic commitment.
The Major Gifts Officer will also develop and implement tailored fundraising strategies to cultivate, diversify, and steward donors, while preparing the groundwork for the organization’s upcoming Capital Campaign.
What You Will Be Doing
- Donor Portfolio & Pipeline Development
- Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 75-100 major gift prospects.Create personalized messages and experiences for donors, using data to guide how and when we connect with them, so they feel valued and inspired to give their best gift.
- Fundraising & Solicitation
- Secure major gifts $10,000 to support organizational priorities.
- Prepare proposals, presentations, and other materials for donor meetings.
- Partner with colleagues to plan and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Donor Relations & Stewardship
- Deliver a first-class donor experience through thoughtful engagement and recognition.
- Conduct regular donor visits (in-person, virtual, or phone) to deepen engagement.
- Serve as a key point of contact for major donors.
- Develop innovative donor engagement strategies and programs to strengthen relationships and grow long-term support including tours, and recognition opportunities.
- Collaborate with Individual Giving Team to help determine standards at each giving level that will ensure consistent stewardship practices for donors at all levels and help develop the donor pipeline.
- Ensure timely acknowledgment, reporting, and recognition of gifts.
- Work with Individual Giving Manager to develop impact reports.
- Data & Reporting
- Maintain accurate donor records in the Virtuous CRM.
- Track progress toward revenue goals and report regularly to Individual Giving Manager.
- Other Duties
- Stay informed about organizational priorities and programs.
- Support overall development goals, campaigns, and events as needed.
- Annual revenue goal attainment.
- Donor acquisition and retention.
- Donor-reported satisfaction.
- Colleague-reported satisfaction.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Comfort working independently and as part of a team.
- Proficiency with donor databases (Virtuous).
- Ability to travel locally for donor visits.
This is a full-time position, eligible for a hybrid schedule after 90 days. Remote work will be reevaluated based on success in a remote setting. Periodic physical presence for on-site and off-site events, meetings, and trainings will be required.
The MD SPCA provides a shared office setting. Applicants should expect a low to moderate noise level and limited privacy.
Occasional off-site meetings, evening and weekend work hours will be required.
Intermittent exposure to animals, which includes the risk of scratches and bites and occasional high noise levels.
Physical Demands
- Frequent sitting, with some standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
- Use of computer and telephone.
- Occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.
The Maryland SPCA’s mission is to reduce pet homelessness by providing pet retention services, safety net housing, and community engagement that empowers citizens of Baltimore and beyond.
- Community: We believe in the power of working together. We partner with others to problem-solve and invite and welcome different perspectives.
- Integrity: Our actions are based on ethics, including honesty, fairness, and transparency.
- Compassion: We use our hearts and minds in our decisions, practicing understanding and kindness with pets and people.
- Innovation: We look for new ways to do things better.
- Respect: We celebrate every person’s uniqueness and listen to their opinions.
Salary : $60,000 - $70,000