Major Gift Officer

Purpose:

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making philanthropic investments of $15,000 or more in support of Dayton Live’s mission, programs, and strategic priorities. As a key member of the Development team, the MGO manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, builds long-term donor relationships, and helps grow annual, campaign, endowment, and legacy giving efforts.

The MGO works collaboratively with organizational leadership, board members, volunteers, and community partners to strengthen donor engagement and advance a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Essential Functions:

• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors with a focus on gifts of $15,000 annually.
• Develop and execute individualized donor strategies focused on cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, retention, and long-term engagement.
• Conduct donor meetings, tours, performances, and engagement activities to strengthen relationships and advance giving opportunities.
• Secure philanthropic support for annual operations, special initiatives, capital projects, endowment, education programming, and other organizational priorities.
• Oversee and grow Dayton Live’s legacy giving program, including identifying and stewarding planned giving prospects and donors.
• Identify and qualify prospective donors and move them through the major gift and planned giving pipeline.
• Partner with leadership, board members, and volunteers to support relationship-building and fundraising efforts.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, stewardship, recognition, and follow-up communications.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and pipeline activity within Tessitura.
• Collaborate with Development, Marketing, Programming, and Education teams on fundraising campaigns, donor events, performances, and community engagement efforts.
• Represent Dayton Live at organizational and community events.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising and portfolio performance goals.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• 4–6 years of experience in fundraising, development, relationship management, sales, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and securing major gifts or comparable revenue-generating partnerships.
• Experience with planned giving or legacy giving preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and networking skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams and departments.
• Experience with Tessitura or comparable donor CRM systems preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Experience in arts and culture, nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organizations is a plus.
• Commitment to Dayton Live’s mission and appreciation for the performing arts.

Salary : $75,000 - $80,000