Major Gifts Officer

Title/Position: 

Major Gifts Officer

Location: 

Roxbury, MA 

Reports to: 

AVP of Development

FLSA Class, Status: 

Full-time, exempt

Starting Salary Range: 

$100,000-$125,000

Date Written: 

April 8, 2026

Our Mission 

Horizons for Homeless Children is a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. We help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. Our advocacy efforts extend our impact and advance our vision of ending homelessness among families with young children. 

Summary of Position 

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) works in close collaboration with the AVP of Development to drive the major gifts program. This is a highly external-facing, relationship-driven role that requires frequent in-person meetings with current and prospective donors. The MGO is responsible for driving strategic growth with major gift prospects and donors and contributes to building a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making across the department.

This program is critical to the organization’s ability to achieve its mission of supporting children and families experiencing homelessness. The MGO manages a substantial portfolio of prospects and actively engages in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, primarily through face-to-face and personalized engagement to meet and exceed fundraising targets.

We are seeking candidates who are experienced and successful in frontline fundraising and who bring an innovative vision for prospect identification and sustained philanthropic engagement. The ideal candidate is optimistic, inquisitive, determined, and deeply passionate about the transformative impact leadership donors can have on the organization’s future.

Responsibilities 

• Develop and actively manage an individual portfolio of 150-175 donors with the capacity to make gifts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
• Maintain a robust schedule of in-person and virtual donor meetings as the primary strategy for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. With the goal of achieving 15+ visits per month.
• Utilize a Moves Management approach to donor pipeline management, enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of fundraising efforts.
• Prospect and advance donors using Moves Management, with a focus on upgrading mid-level donors to major gift level
• Create and execute personalized strategies for major donors.
• Cultivate, solicit, and secure gifts through direct personal engagement with donors.
• Collaborate closely with the broader Development and Marketing team, especially on our signature events, which are a tool for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Meet or exceed annual goals, including one for total visits and a fundraising target set in collaboration with the AVP of Development.
• Proactively identify, qualify, and develop new donor relationships, expanding and strengthening the major gift donor and prospect pipeline to support sustained revenue growth.
• Contribute positively to the team serving as a fundraising resource and valuable partner in key initiatives, despite not having direct reports.

Workspace 

This is a 40-hour-a-week, full-time position. The work you will perform is largely sedentary, taking place at a desk, and meeting with donors. You can expect to work on-site on four days a week. There will be occasional evening or weekend events with advanced planning and notice. Our beautiful office space is located:  Edgerley Family Horizons Center at 1785 Columbus Ave, Roxbury, MA. 

Commitment to our Workforce

Horizons is committed to fostering the well-being of our workforce who are tackling one of the nation’s toughest issues, family homelessness. We respect the unique perspectives and potential of each member of our team and believe that diversity of thought and perspective will not only sustain employee well-being but drive better outcomes for our families. Horizons’ leadership sets the tone and priority for this work.  Visit our commitments page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons. 

As such, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. 

For more information about Horizons, please visit horizonschildren.org

Starting salary range, compensation, and benefits  

$100,000-$125,000 is the starting salary range for this role. Your starting salary will fall within that range depending on your competencies, experience, and skillset.  

Your total compensation package includes the following benefits:  

Health coverage options designed to be as comprehensive and affordable for you as possible, with Horizons covering between 70-75% of premiums (a value that ranges from an additional $10,000 –30,000 per year based on your enrollment choices). 

While you have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan for medical coverage, most employees pay $117.77 for individual, $235.54 for 2-person, or $370.44 for family coverage per biweekly paycheck and never pay more than $300 for individual or $600 for 2-person/family toward deductibles. 

Visit The Benefits of Working at Horizons for more details on the rest of our benefits package 

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8-10 years of experience in frontline fundraising, with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts within a non-profit environment.
• Demonstrated success in scaling a major gifts program.
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic families.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, and adept at engaging with a diverse range of donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Comprehensive knowledge of individual giving vehicles including planned giving.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with managing and engaging Board level volunteers, including volunteer committees.
• Thorough, organized, strategic, and creative approach to volunteer management.
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial approach to work. 
• Skilled in database management, gift processing, donor relations, and Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated capability in problem-solving, decision-making, and independently setting goals and priorities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Expertise in Philanthropy: Deep knowledge of concepts, practices, and policies in philanthropy, enabling them to effectively discuss individual philanthropic goals and long-term planning.
• Exceptional Customer Service Skills: A strong commitment to providing top-tier customer service, coupled with professionalism and self-awareness, ensuring warm, competent, and professional interactions with a diverse range of people.
• Technological Proficiency: Computer literacy is essential, particularly in Microsoft Office suite, with familiarity in online team collaboration tools and fundraising databases like Raiser’s Edge.
• Strong Problem-Solving and Judgment: The ability to tackle complex, varied problems with excellent judgment.
• Teamwork and Attitude: A team player with a positive, can-do attitude and a passion for the organization's shared goals.
• Commitment to Mission and Values: A deep embodiment and commitment to Horizons' mission, upholding core values of being Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative, and Passionate.