Major Gifts Manager

Center for Biological Diversity

Major Gifts Manager responsible for cultivating and managing substantial donations at the Center for Biological Diversity. Spearheading donor engagement to enhance wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.

Posted 7/5/2026full-timeTucson • Arizona • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $76,000 - $85,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Supporting and organizing the cultivation, solicitation, and closing of five, six, seven-figure and higher major gifts from individual donors and foundations, as well as stewardship of same.
Implementing “moves management” across the major gifts program - moving donors through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship phases in relationship building.
Helping the MGOs to close major gifts and meet the Center’s goals for revenue growth from high five, six, seven-figure or higher donors.
Developing, documenting, and tracking cultivation, stewardship and solicitation plans for individual major donors, legacy donors, family foundations, and prospective donors.
Organizing and supporting MGO solicitation activities including donor meetings, experiences, proposals to help close major donor and grant gifts.
Collaborating and strategizing with senior development leadership, grant writers, and the development operations team to cultivate and solicit funds from major donors, foundation funders and prospects before, during and after events, webinars and campaigns.
Helping build enduring relationships with major donors by providing high-level stewardship support drafting and sending personalized communications and reports.
Meeting with donors, as assigned, through phone, Zoom and face-to-face to cultivate and secure major gifts.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5 - 7+ years’ experience having direct and positive interactions with donors or clients.
Ability to write short form communications (emails) with emotional intelligence, clarity, and accuracy.
Ability to participate in drafting clear, detailed, persuasive reports or proposals of varying lengths.
A positive, team player excited to support the success of senior leadership while also working independently towards their own success.
Ability to be a receptive and open listener.
Highly motivated, self-confident, accountable character, with solid work ethic as well as a strong drive to move projects forward quickly and follow through with staff regarding their completion.
Strong relationship building skills and willingness to speak directly by phone or in person with donors and prospective supporters.
Experience administrating, supporting, or directly engaging in fundraising approaches like moves management for major donors is preferred although not required for the right candidate.
Analytical with an exceptional ability to pay attention to nuance and detail, great organizational skills, and ensure a high-level accuracy in completing complex tasks.
Extensive experience with donor relationship management databases or similar.
Experience with donor research and project management platforms.
Strong affinity for the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
Discounted premiums for pet discount program.
403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Fundraising ApproachesCultivation PlansStewardship PlansSolicitation PlansProject Management

Soft Skills

Emotional IntelligenceTeam PlayerOpen ListeningMotivationAccountability