The Corporate Relations and Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for cultivating and soliciting a portfolio of major donors and prospects including managing benefit fulfillment and stewardship. This role is central to expanding contributed revenue through strategic donor cultivation, partnership development, and long-term relationship management across high-capacity individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Major Gifts Officer will design and implement integrated strategies that strengthen the museum’s major donor base, expand sponsorship opportunities, and deepen institutional partnerships in alignment with exhibitions, education programs, and institutional priorities.
The candidate will be a strategic thinker who will focus on identifying new prospects, coordinating small cultivation events and special projects as needed. The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills, great attention to detail, and be proactive. They should be able to function both independently and in close collaboration, particularly with the Membership Manager and Director of Development.
Essential Responsibilities:
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Manage and grow a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors with capacity of 4-figures and higher.
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Identify, qualify, and develop new major gift prospects.
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Develop and execute customized stewardship strategies for individual donors like tours and special access.
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Implement a structured moves management system to increase donor retention and giving levels.
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Develop new and strengthen existing relationships with corporate partners, foundations, and community institutions.
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Develop strategic sponsorship opportunities for exhibitions, public programs, and special events.
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Develop strategic sponsorship opportunities for capital projects and collaborate on capital campaigns.
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Create compelling partnership proposals and sponsorship packages in collaboration with Marketing and Communications.
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Support the development and implementation of a planned giving program.
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Collaborate with the Membership Manager to strategize and implement Society of Daniel Wadsworth (upper-level donors) exclusive events.
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Project management of donor cultivation events in collaboration with the Director of Development.
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Support the Database Specialist in donor info management and regular review of donor reports using the museum’s CRM database (Tessitura).
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Tracks all prospects and donor contact, and moves management, in Tessitura.
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Utilize prospect research and giving data to inform strategy and portfolio decisions.
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Be a passionate, visible and informed advocate for The Wadsworth, actively seeking opportunities to engage with the broader community.
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Attend Development and membership events, exhibition openings, donor cultivation events.
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Work collaboratively with the Director of Development, Leadership, and Board on fundraising prospects.
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Perform other tasks as needed and directed by the Director of Development.
Minimum Education and Experience:
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The ideal candidate will have at least a bachelor's degree or an advanced degree in art and/or art history, or a related field.
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Minimum of 5 years’ experience in direct one-to-one solicitation is preferred.
Required Skills and Abilities:
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Strong commitment to relationship-building, strategic thinking, and goal-oriented fundraising.
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Demonstrated success in securing 4+ figure gifts in the nonprofit sector.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a keen sense of attention to detail.
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Advanced interpersonal and relationship building skills.
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Highly organized, efficient, and strategically minded.
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Strong collaborator and team player.
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Proficiency in donor management software (Tessitura a plus) and Microsoft Office.
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Independence, critical thinking, thrives in working autonomously and thinking outside of the box.
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Experience in philanthropy, annual and major giving programs and strategies for arts and cultural institutions.
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Understanding of moves management and familiarity with gift processing.
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Event planning experience is a plus.
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Strong time management skills.
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Strong understanding of hospitality and customer service.
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Knowledge of donor management software. Effectively utilize the Tessitura CRM database in line with position responsibilities.
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Ability to work under pressure; confidence in the ability to convey information to major internal and external players; flexibility.
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Must understand and respect the confidential nature of development work.
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Ability and willingness to travel and work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
