Major Gifts Officer
SIL Central Services · United States
Job Title
Major Gifts OfficerLocation
United States of AmericaPosition Type
Paid - RegularJob Description
The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for building and managing meaningful relationships with donors to support SIL’s mission of making God’s Word accessible in the languages people understand best. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors through relational and purpose-driven engagement.Working within a Christian ministry context, the Major Gifts Officer helps grow a sustainable donor pipeline and advances global impact through generosity and partnership.
Key Responsibilities
Major Gifts Fundraising and Portfolio Management
Build and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects through research, referrals, and networking
Develop and implement individualized engagement strategies for each donor
Guide donors through the full giving journey, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Maintain accurate and timely donor records using CRM systems
Donor Engagement and Stewardship
Maintain consistent and meaningful communication with donors through meetings, calls, written communication, and events
Provide timely acknowledgment and appreciation for gifts
Share impact updates and stories that connect donors to the global and spiritual outcomes of SIL’s work
Prospect Development and Networking
Identify and qualify new donor prospects through internal and external networks
Build relationships with individuals, churches, foundations, and other aligned partners
Collaborate with colleagues to expand and strengthen the donor pipeline
Proposal Development and Collaboration
Partner with program and development staff to develop compelling funding opportunities
Prepare and present donor proposals and funding requests
Work collaboratively across teams to ensure clarity and consistency in donor engagement
Faith and Mission Context
This role is grounded in SIL’s Christian identity and global mission. The organization views generosity as an expression of discipleship and participation in God’s work of making Scripture accessible to every language community.
The Major Gifts Officer engages donors in a relational and values-based approach that recognizes giving as part of spiritual formation and mission partnership. This includes communicating authentically about faith, ministry impact, and the transformative outcomes of generosity, while respecting each donor’s individual journey.
Qualifications
Required Experience
Experience in fundraising, relationship management, sales, or a related field
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships
Skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail
Confidence in donor engagement and funding conversations
Ability to translate organizational impact into compelling narratives
Personal Attributes
Self-motivated and able to work independently
Collaborative and team-oriented
Patient, relational, and long-term oriented
Alignment with SIL’s mission and Christian values
Additional Information
This role may include travel for donor meetings and events
Success is built over time through consistent relationship development and stewardship
This is a mission-driven role within a faith-based organization
Weekly Hours
40