Job Description
The Sylvia Earle Alliance / Mission Blue is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven and entrepreneurial Major Gifts Officer to help grow Mission Blue's community of philanthropic supporters as the organization enters an exciting new phase of growth.
About Mission Blue
The ocean is facing unprecedented threats — from biodiversity loss and climate change to pollution and unsustainable industrial practices. The good news is that, with protection, ocean recovery is possible. Mission Blue is supporting international commitments to achieve at least 30 percent ocean protection by 2030 by uniting a global coalition to raise awareness, expand access, and support for a worldwide network of Hope Spots — special places that are important to the health of the ocean. To learn more about our work, visit www.missionblue.org
Position Summary
The Major Gifts Officer builds and manages a focused portfolio of approximately 75–125 major-gift prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $10,000 and above, with primary responsibility for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Reporting to the Director of Advancement (based in CA), the Major Gifts Officer will cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift donors and qualified prospects while helping expand Mission Blue's pipeline of future philanthropic supporters. This position will play a critical role in identifying new major donor prospects, strengthening relationships with current supporters, and advancing fundraising strategies that help achieve Mission Blue's long-term vision for ocean conservation.
This is a remote position based in the United States.
Key Responsibilities
Major Gift Fundraising
● Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 75–125 major gift donors and qualified prospects, with an emphasis on gifts of $10,000 to $100,000+ and six-figure opportunities.
● Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned donors and prospects.
● Conduct regular donor meetings, virtual visits, and qualification and discovery conversations to understand donor interests, philanthropic priorities, and giving potential.
● Prepare donor briefings, gift proposals, solicitation materials, and reports in partnership with the Director of Advancement.
● Maintain timely moves management, follow-up, contact reports, next steps, and forecasts to strengthen long-term donor relationships.
● Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new major donors, with clear annual activity and revenue goals; help close annual major gifts while building pathways toward larger philanthropic investments.
● Represent Mission Blue in donor meetings and selected cultivation events related to assigned prospects; partner with Board members, the CEO, Founder, and senior leaders on donor introductions and solicitations.
● Support donor travel, cultivation events, and special opportunities connected to assigned prospects.
Prospect Development & Qualification
● Identify, research, and qualify new major gift prospects through existing donor data, referrals, events, and external research; support foundation and corporate prospect development where assigned.
● Develop strategies to transition high-capacity mid-level (Blue Circle) members and other engaged supporters into the Major Gifts portfolio; maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified prospects at every stage of the donor lifecycle.
● Collaborate with the Director of Advancement to continuously evaluate and refine donor portfolios through the Moves Management process.
● Participate in regular portfolio reviews and provide realistic revenue forecasts for assigned prospects.
Donor Strategy & Stewardship
● Collaborate with the Director of Advancement on comprehensive donor strategies for major gift prospects.
● Partner with the Donor Relations Associate to coordinate personalized stewardship plans for assigned donors, including timely acknowledgements, donor communications, and engagement opportunities.
● Participate in donor events, cultivation gatherings, webinars, and special meetings.
Advancement Collaboration
● Work closely with the Director of Advancement to support planning for a potential future fundraising campaign.
● Collaborate with Programs and Communications staff to develop compelling donor proposals, cases, and engagement opportunities; contribute donor-specific language and intelligence to proposals, cases, reports, and stewardship materials.
● Create appropriate donor briefings, meeting preparation, and follow-up.
Advancement Operations
● Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and next steps within the organization's CRM.
● Monitor portfolio activity and fundraising progress toward established goals.
● Actively participate in prospect research, fundraising projections, and portfolio reviews.
Qualifications
Required
● Bachelor's degree.
● Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
● Experience building relationships with individual donors and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
● Demonstrated ability to identify and qualify prospective donors.
● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
● Strong organizational skills.
● Experience using CRM systems and donor portfolio management tools.
● Passion for ocean conservation and Mission Blue's vision.
● Willingness to travel periodically for donor meetings and events.
Preferred
● Proficiency in multiple languages, in addition to English.
Personal Attributes
● Curious, proactive, and comfortable initiating conversations with prospective supporters/partners.
● Excellent listener with strong emotional intelligence and sound judgment.
● Highly organized with exceptional follow-through and attention to detail.
● Collaborative team player who enjoys working across departments.
● Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and develop creative cultivation strategies.
● Represents Mission Blue with professionalism, warmth, and integrity.
Working Conditions and Details
● This is a full-time, exempt position.
● Remote working environment.
● Flexibility in schedule to accommodate time differences of a global team.
● Occasional travel may be required.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities.
The anticipated salary range for this position is $80,000–$100,000 annually. Placement within the range is based on factors including relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and geographic location. Benefits for full-time employees include vacation and sick time, 401K, and medical, vision and dental (employee coverage only).
- Please DO NOT apply via LinkedIn directly. To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter, via email to Kate Morrison, Managing Director, at kmorrison@missionblue.org
- Please note "Major Gifts Officer" in the subject line of the email.