Description The Individual Major Gifts & Planned Giving Development Officer is responsible for developing, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors with a focus on major gifts and planned giving. This position manages a portfolio of current and prospective donors, builds meaningful relationships that inspire philanthropic investment, and works collaboratively with organizational leadership to achieve annual fundraising goals. The Development Officer serves as a key ambassador for the organization, helping donors connect their philanthropic interests with the mission while growing support through outright gifts, multi-year commitments, and planned giving opportunities. Responsibilities Major Gifts Fundraising Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 100-150 major gift prospects and donors. Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. Conduct regular donor meetings, including qualification visits, cultivation meetings, solicitation visits, and stewardship interactions. Secure major gifts at established annual fundraising goals. Prepare compelling donor proposals, gift agreements, reports, and personalized correspondence. Identify, research, and qualify new major gift prospects. Maintain accurate donor records, activity reports, and pipeline documentation in the organization's donor database. Research, write, and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and grant reports to foundations, corporations, and government funding sources in support of organizational priorities. Planned Giving Program Develop, implement, and grow the organization's planned giving program. Educate donors and prospects about charitable gift planning opportunities, including bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable trust arrangements, Donor Advised Funds and other deferred gifts. Build and manage a planned giving prospect pipeline. Coordinate with professional advisors, attorneys, financial planners, and estate representatives as appropriate. Ensure proper recognition and stewardship of planned giving donors and legacy society members. Maintain records of planned gift expectancies and documented commitments. Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management Create exceptional donor experiences through personalized stewardship activities. Work closely with volunteers, board members, and leadership to support donor engagement efforts. Coordinate donor recognition opportunities, impact reporting, and special events. Develop strategies to increase donor retention, upgrades, and long-term engagement. Ensure timely follow-up and communication with donors and prospects. Collaboration and Leadership Partner with program staff to gather impact stories and outcome data for donor communications. Collaborate with marketing and communications staff on donor-centered messaging and planned giving marketing initiatives. Support organizational fundraising campaigns, special events, and strategic development initiatives. Collaborate with development team members to strengthen major gift and planned giving fundraising efforts through prospect identification, donor strategy development, participation in donor meetings, and ongoing portfolio management support Other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Senior Director of Development Requirements Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of 3-5 years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in major gifts, individual giving, or planned giving. Demonstrated track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing five-figure and above gifts. Experience managing donor portfolios and moves management strategies. Knowledge of planned giving principles and charitable gift planning vehicles preferred. A bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, non-profit management, or related field is preferred Comfort with public speaking and communication with external parties in a variety of formats Ability to work well with a diverse group of donors, volunteers, and staff Proficient in basic computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, Outlook, and Salesforce (training is available for Salesforce) Possess strong organization, planning, budget managing and data tracking skills Ability to manage and prioritize multiple priorities, responsibilities, and tasks effectively Must be a positive role model and collaborative team player with high integrity Excellent customer service, and excellent written and verbal communication skills Has the ability and willingness to travel regionally as required Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings and some weekends Must be self-motivated, self-directed, and demonstrate creativity and agility in daily work Demonstrates commitment to the mission of and a passion for the work of Make-A-Wish