Feiro Marine Life Center Major Gifts Officer

Feiro Marine Life Center seeks an experienced Major Gifts Officer to play a pivotal role in completing our capital campaign for the new Marine Discovery Center—the Olympic Peninsula's future premier hub for Pacific Northwest marine education, opening in 2028.

You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors while working closely with our Executive Director, Board, and Campaign Committee to secure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. You'll champion behind-the-scenes fundraising efforts in Port Angeles while leading your own portfolio in the Seattle area.

This Seattle/Puget Sound-based position requires managing a donor portfolio and conducting in-person meetings with Seattle-area supporters, while collaborating remotely with our Port Angeles headquarters. Occasional travel to Port Angeles is required.

This unique 30-hour/week opportunity is ideal for an experienced fundraiser who works independently and values work-life balance. We encourage passionate, strategic fundraisers who connect effectively with donors to apply and help bring this transformative marine education project to life!

About

About Feiro Marine Life Center

Feiro Marine Life Center connects community and environment by providing local marine and watershed learning experiences and increasing awareness of how closely connected and interdependent humans and marine ecosystems are with each other. Founded in 1981 and established as a nonprofit in 2008, Feiro has become a beloved institution on the Port Angeles waterfront where visitors can get up close and personal with the marine life of the North Olympic Peninsula.

Feiro is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the development of the Marine Discovery Center, a unique public-private partnership with NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary that will dramatically increase our capacity to deliver educational programming, expand our visitor experiences, and enhance our conservation impact.

About the Marine Discovery Center Project

The Marine Discovery Center represents a transformative opportunity for marine education and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. This unique partnership will expand our combined facilities from 4,000 sq ft to an impressive 13,000 sq ft center featuring six themed exhibit areas focused on marine waters and watersheds, including a state-of-the-art seabird exhibit and tripled classroom space to better serve schools across the region.

We project annual visitation to exceed 75,000 people, supporting an increased operating budget from $450,000 to over $1,500,000 and creating at least eight new full-time jobs in education, animal care, and guest services. We have already secured 68% of the needed funds, including $3M in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding and $15M for core construction. The remaining funding will complete support for exhibit fabrication and construction needs, allowing us to begin construction in mid-2026 with an anticipated opening in 2028.

This is a once-in-a-generation chance to significantly advance our mission while creating a premier destination for visitors and residents alike on the Olympic Peninsula.

Essential Responsibilities

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) reports to the Executive Director and works closely with Capital Campaign Co-Chairs to complete the Capital Campaign. The MGO is responsible for overseeing these main functional responsibilities:

Major Donor Relationship Development and Management

• Identify and cultivate relationships with new prospective donors not yet connected to the organization
• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gifts prospects, developing personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Conduct face-to-face meetings annually with donors throughout Washington State, with particular focus on Seattle metropolitan and surrounding areas
• Partner with the Executive Director to strategically engage with top donor prospects

Strategic Campaign Leadership

• Develop and implement effective systems for deepening major donor partnerships
• Bring innovative and creative approaches to fundraising strategy to help complete the capital campaign
• Create compelling proposals and other fundraising materials
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and provide regular reports to leadership

Donor Engagement Activities

• Plan and execute cultivation and stewardship events to engage prospective and current donors
• Develop creative opportunities for donor engagement with the Marine Discovery Center project
• Create and implement strategies for introducing new audiences to the organization's mission

Stewardship and Administration

• Manage gift agreements and ensure proper donor recognition
• Collaborate with program staff to connect donors with projects that match their interests
• Oversee donor stewardship processes to maintain strong, ongoing relationships with contributors

The Candidate We’re Seeking

The ideal candidate for this position would be:

• A skilled relationship builder who excels at turning conversations into meaningful support. They are comfortable connecting with diverse types of funders—from individuals to foundation and corporate leaders.
• A fearless fundraiser with 5+ years of fundraising success securing major gifts ($25,000+), who has personally solicited and closed significant gifts. They're comfortable making the ask and guiding prospects through the giving process with confidence and authenticity.
• A strategic thinker and creative innovator who thrives on new challenges and projects. They excel at identifying unique opportunities to connect with potential major donors, developing compelling ways to articulate funding needs, and implementing cultivation strategies that result in significant gifts and lasting philanthropic partnerships.
• Comfortable working independently in the city while maintaining strong ties with the coastal team through digital communication and occasional in-person visits.
• Able to listen attentively and align donor interests with organizational mission. No prior marine conservation knowledge is required—just curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about the work to share it compellingly.
• Organized and self-motivated, managing multiple relationships independently. They communicate effectively across all formats and enjoy regional travel throughout Western Washington to cultivate relationships.