Major Gifts Officer

WHO WE ARE

United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA) is home to the change makers and justice seekers. We're individuals from various walks of life making collective steps towards a better future for our community. Our focus is on bringing about real and sustainable change by unleashing the collective power of people to open minds, unite diverse communities, and convert compassion into action for a more just, inclusive, and thriving L.A. County. Together, we make tangible impact on some of our region's most pressing challenges by expanding educational opportunity, advancing economic mobility, strengthening community resilience, and helping people thrive. For us, being 'united' isn't just in reference to our organization but to our hope for the future of Los Angeles. Regardless of race, gender, orientation, or self-identification - we do our part as one by making room for all.  

WHAT WE DO

Our Development department advances United Way's mission by building a coalition of donors, connectors, and advocates who believe in the power of collective action to create a stronger, more equitable, and more prosperous Los Angeles. Our success is measured by the strength of our partnerships and the resources we mobilize to advance our mission. At our core, we are passionate advocates who believe that the support we inspire today directly shapes how far we can go tomorrow in building a stronger Los Angeles.

WHY WE NEED YOU

We are inviting natural connectors and disciplined closers with a passion for turning one-on-one relationships into lasting philanthropic partnerships to apply for our Major Gifts Officer role.
 
You'll build real relationships with a portfolio of major and mid-level donors, spotting the right moments to deepen their investment, guiding donors toward giving society membership, and reactivating lapsed supporters, all driving meaningful growth of individual giving revenue.
 
You will have the unique opportunity to see your work translate directly into students completing programs, families gaining financial stability, and neighbors recovering from crisis, knowing every gift you close helps fund real outcomes across Los Angeles.

HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE

Major Gifts ($10k+)
Personally initiate and cultivate one-to-one relationships with assigned major donors and prospects to deepen their connection and long-term loyalty to UWGLA
Secure new and increased gifts from portfolio donors for the annual campaign and longer-term Impact Plan initiatives
Design customized engagement plans for assigned donors and high-capacity prospects in collaboration with the Development team
Represent UWGLA to external contacts with high giving capacity, initiating dialogue on philanthropic values and priorities where appropriate
Major Donor Giving Society (Tocqueville)
Identify donors within your portfolio who show $10,000+ capacity and add them to the Tocqueville prospecting list
Draft and deliver personalized upgrade proposals and Impact Plan briefings for donors approaching the Tocqueville threshold
Coordinate donor invitations and follow-up for Tocqueville roundtables, cultivation events, and graduation/awards ceremonies, integrating planned giving and Legacy Society options into cultivation conversations where appropriate
Mid-Level Leadership Giving ($1,000–$9,999)
Manage a portfolio of Leadership-level donors, tracking capacity, giving history, and moves-management stage for each
Execute the upgrade ask cadence for Leadership donors, moving them incrementally toward Tocqueville-level giving
Source new Leadership-level prospects from board referrals, workplace campaigns, WalkUnitedLA participants, and event attendee lists
Donor Stewardship
Draft personalized thank-you letters, impact updates, and stewardship reports for assigned donors, using approved templates as a base
Implement a personalized recognition plan for each assigned donor, drawing on the Leadership and Tocqueville stewardship calendars
Coordinate with other Development sectors and Marketing & Communications to ensure a consistent, well-represented donor experience
Lapsed Donor Reactivation & Reporting
Reactivate lapsed Leadership-level donors through segmented, Impact Plan-driven outreach
Track reactivation outcomes and portfolio performance, providing statistical summaries and market segment analysis as requested
Flag donors ready for major gift ($100,000+) qualification, and log research, contact reports, and CRM data across all portfolio tiers
Other responsibilities as assigned

WHAT 1 YEAR OF SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Secure $1M in major gift revenue
Build and actively steward a pipeline of 125 qualified prospects 
Retain 80% of current donors within assigned portfolio

SKILLS YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED (The Must-Haves)

Education & Experience

High school diploma or GED required.

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising required.

Must have experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, including securing major gifts and growing donor portfolios.

Must have experience securing gifts of $10,000 or greater from individual donors.

Personal Qualities & Competencies:

You enjoy a hybrid environment that includes both in-person and remote work styles and are able to work from our DTLA office on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and additional days as needed.

You understand the value of racial equity as an organizational operating principle and are committed to continued learning on issues related to race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

You are curious about emerging technology and artificial intelligence and always looking for practical ways to apply new tools to work smarter and drive greater impact. 

You're willing to flex your schedule occasionally for early-morning, evening, or weekend donor and partner events.

You are comfortable making the ask and confidently leading donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship conversations.

You are a strategic relationship builder who can engage and influence stakeholders ranging from first-time donors to high-net-worth philanthropists and community leaders.

You are accountable for results and have a track record of setting ambitious goals, developing strategies to achieve them, and consistently delivering outcomes.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE A FIT (The Nice-to-Haves)

You have a talent for understanding what motivates people to give and can connect their philanthropic interests to opportunities that create lasting impact.
You are skilled at inspiring generosity and can confidently guide conversations that lead to transformational philanthropic investments.
You are naturally curious about people and enjoy building authentic, long-term relationships rooted in trust, shared values, and meaningful connection.
You are comfortable engaging high-net-worth individuals, community leaders, and influential stakeholders with confidence, credibility, and professionalism.
You bring a donor-centered mindset and enjoy helping individuals achieve their philanthropic goals while advancing the organization's mission.
You are patient, persistent, and understand that meaningful donor relationships often require thoughtful cultivation over time.
You can see both the big picture and the next step, translating ambitious goals into clear strategies, priorities, and measurable outcomes.
You are an effective communicator who can tailor your message to diverse audiences and inspire action.
You use sound judgment, strong problem-solving skills, and data-informed decision making to drive results.
You are familiar with Los Angeles' philanthropic, nonprofit, or civic landscape.
You know your way around the Microsoft Windows operating systems and all it's essential programs including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-95,000 per year dependent on internal equity and a variety of job-related factors including, but not limited to, experience, training, education, and market demands.
The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 403(b) plan, pension, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, paid holidays, and paid time off.