Friends of the Earth is hiring a Major Gift Officer

About Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth is a progressive environmental organization working at the intersection of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice.

For more than four decades, the organization has worked to challenge systems and policies that threaten people and the planet. As part of Friends of the Earth International, a global federation of groups working in more than 70 countries, the organization contributes to campaigns and advocacy addressing some of today’s most urgent environmental and social challenges.

The organization is committed to fundamentally transforming how society values people and the environment.

About the Role

Friends of the Earth is seeking an experienced Major Gift Officer to join its Philanthropy team and play a key role in advancing the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement goals.

Job Title: Major Gift Officer
Organisation: Friends of the Earth
Job Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States – Remote
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $105,000–$135,000 per year
Travel Requirement: Up to 30% domestic travel
Closing Date: Not specified
Probationary Period: First three months of employment

This frontline fundraising position focuses on building meaningful relationships with donors and strategically supporting mid-level supporters as they progress into major gift giving.

Reporting to the Philanthropy Manager, the Major Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of approximately 140 donors and prospects. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individuals with significant giving potential.

The role offers an opportunity for an experienced fundraising professional to develop strategic donor relationships, secure significant gifts and contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of the organization’s individual giving programme.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising

The Major Gift Officer will:

Manage a portfolio of approximately 140 donors and prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
Secure four-figure, five-figure and larger gifts from qualified donors through direct solicitation.
Manage a portfolio revenue target of approximately $1.4 million to $2 million.
Develop and implement individualized donor engagement plans.
Build meaningful relationships that deepen donor commitment and increase philanthropic investment.
Conduct donor meetings, personalized outreach and stewardship activities.
Maintain accurate donor records, portfolio plans and engagement strategies.
Support effective relationship management and fundraising outcomes.

Donor Pipeline Development

The successful candidate will:

Identify and qualify mid-level donors with the capacity and interest to become major gift supporters.
Develop and maintain a sustainable pipeline of future major donors.
Use strategic prospecting and donor engagement to strengthen the giving pipeline.
Analyze donor interests, engagement patterns and giving trends.
Develop cultivation and donor upgrade strategies.
Work closely with development colleagues to coordinate donor movement across fundraising programmes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategy

The Major Gift Officer will also:

Partner with programme and development teams to connect donor interests with organizational priorities, campaigns and funding opportunities.
Contribute donor insights and fundraising intelligence to support strategic decision-making.
Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate donor engagement, stewardship and solicitation efforts.
Serve as an informed and strategic fundraising partner across the organization.
Support a strong culture of philanthropy and long-term donor engagement.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this position, candidates should have:

A strong commitment to environmental advocacy and the mission of Friends of the Earth.
A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least five years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience.
At least three years of experience focused specifically on major gifts.
Demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios through qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
A proven track record of directly securing major gifts.
Experience advancing donors through the giving pipeline.
Experience developing and implementing individualized donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
The ability to engage donors effectively both in person and remotely.
Experience using donor data and engagement insights to inform fundraising strategies.
The ability to travel domestically up to 30% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate may also have:

Residence in or near Washington, DC, New York City or the San Francisco Bay Area.
Reasonable access to a commercial airport for candidates based elsewhere.
Experience working with environmental, advocacy, public interest or other mission-driven organizations.
Familiarity with donor database systems and fundraising analytics tools.
Experience successfully upgrading mid-level donors into major gift relationships.

Salary and Compensation

The annual salary range for this full-time position is:

$105,000–$135,000 per year

Compensation offers will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant skills and experience.

The first three months of employment will serve as an introductory or probationary period.

Benefits and Perks

Friends of the Earth offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and professional growth.

Work-Life Balance

37.5-hour work week
Flexible and remote working environment
Summer Fridays, including the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August

Health and Well-Being

100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision coverage
80% coverage for eligible dependents
Disability and life insurance
Flexible Spending Account for healthcare and dependent care
Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Employees receive:

25 vacation days in the first year
15 paid holidays
20 sick days
3 floating holidays
Parental leave
Sabbatical options and additional leave benefits

Professional Growth

Professional development support
IT stipend
Education reimbursement
Opportunities for continued learning and career development

Retirement

401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions

Why Join Friends of the Earth?

This is an opportunity to use your major gift fundraising experience to support environmental advocacy and social change.

As Major Gift Officer, you will play a direct role in building long-term relationships with supporters, securing significant philanthropic investments and helping strengthen the financial sustainability of an organization working on critical environmental, economic and social justice issues.

You will manage a significant donor portfolio, contribute to a revenue target of up to $2 million and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to connect philanthropy with high-impact programmes and campaigns.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color and members of other underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.

In compliance with applicable federal requirements, successful candidates will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work upon hire.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official recruitment platform.

APPLY HERE

Candidates should highlight measurable fundraising achievements, including major gifts secured, donor portfolios managed and experience upgrading donors into higher levels of giving.