Major Gifts Officer

ORGANIZATION

Mount Auburn Cemetery is the first rural, or garden, cemetery in the United States, located on the line between Cambridge and Watertown 4 miles west of Boston. It is the burial site of many prominent Bostonians as well as being a National Historic Landmark. Dedicated in 1831 and set with classical monuments in a rolling landscaped terrain, it marked a distinct break with Colonial-era burying grounds and church-affiliated graveyards. The 175-acre cemetery is important both for its historical aspects and for its role as botanic garden. It is Watertown's largest contiguous open space and extends into Cambridge to the east. It was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2003.

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (IA) and works closely with the President, Executive Leadership Team, and members of the Board of Trustees to advance Mount Auburn Cemetery's philanthropic priorities. The MGO will raise funds from individuals, families, and family foundations through a strategic relationship-based fundraising program. |

This position is responsible for identifying, researching, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making current and deferred gifts of five- and six-figures in support of Mount Auburn Cemetery's mission. The MGO will manage an active portfolio of approximately 100–125 major gift prospects and donors and will be expected to develop and execute individualized engagement strategies that result in meaningful donor relationships and increased philanthropic support.

The MGO will conduct a minimum of 120–150 meaningful donor visits annually, including qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings, and will be responsible for completing 20–30 major gift solicitations each year. Annual fundraising goals will be established in partnership with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and will include both revenue and activity metrics.

Working collaboratively across the organization, the MGO will partner with leadership, trustees, and colleagues to develop donor strategies, prepare briefing materials, coordinate donor engagement opportunities, and ensure timely follow-up and stewardship activities. The MGO will be an integral member of a growing advancement team responsible for achieving ambitious fundraising goals and building a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

The MGO will be called upon to engage donors, prospects, volunteers, and community stakeholders while effectively communicating Mount Auburn's mission, values, strategic priorities, and impact. Some travel, weekend, and evening work will be required.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 current and prospective major donors using a disciplined moves management process to advance prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct a minimum of 120–150 donor visits annually and develop individualized strategies to deepen donor engagement and philanthropic investment.
• Complete 20–30 major gift solicitations annually and meet or exceed annual fundraising goals established in collaboration with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
• Partner with the President, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop donor engagement plans and prepare prospect briefings, strategy memos, meeting materials, and follow-up actions for leadership and volunteer fundraising partners.
• Utilize prospect research, relationship mapping, donor analytics, and wealth screening tools to identify new major gift opportunities and strengthen donor strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to develop compelling funding opportunities, proposals, and cases for support aligned with Mount Auburn's strategic priorities.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, proposals, and next steps within the donor database to support effective portfolio management and institutional knowledge.
• Contribute to the continued growth and maturation of Mount Auburn's major gifts and planned giving programs by identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, and donor engagement strategies.
  
  

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required. A minimum of 5 years’ progressive experience in a development office and an understanding and initial mastery of Major Gift strategies.
• Previous experience with a CRM, or similar database and internet research required; familiarity with Blackbaud Altru desirable but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work with the public and to coordinate complex tasks. Ability to follow through on assigned tasks and to work independently.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, in person, in writing, via telephone or other computer or other electronic media.
• Dependable, punctual, and articulate.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and creative as work demands change.
• Must be able to work evenings and/or weekends for donor events as needed.
• Must have a driver's license valid in Massachusetts.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Occasionally move within all areas of the Cemetery grounds and buildings and drive Cemetery vehicles.
  
  

Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.