Major Gifts Officer / Senior Major Gifts Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Salary :

Start Date : March 15, 2025

PAY RANGE $95,000 - $110,000 Major Gifts Officer, or $110,000 - $125,000 Senior Major Gifts Officer

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School (CSIOBS)

It is located on one of the largest and most ecologically diverse islands among the 34 islands and peninsulas that comprise the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Covering 204 acres, this island features mature forests, meadows, freshwater and marine wetlands, salt marshes, and critical geological features. In addition to its natural beauty, the island offers amenities such as a formal school campus with dormitories, a dining hall, classrooms, lab space, auditoriums, a gymnasium, outdoor challenge courses, and climbing towers. The island also has a thriving events business. CSIOBS has an annual budget of over $9 million that supports a staff of over 150 employees. CSIOBS is an affiliate of Outbound Bound Schools in the United States.

THE NEED

CSIOBS is a not-for-profit organization providing adventurous and challenging experiential learning programs that inspire character development, compassion, community service, environmental responsibility, and academic achievement. Our organization serves adolescents from all economic and social communities of greater metropolitan Boston and the institutions and adults who support them. Many of the students CSIOBS serves attend Boston Public Schools, and CSIOBS has been associated with Boston Public Schools for over 50 years. CSIOBS firmly believes that access to green spaces and natural environments positively impacts children's mental health and well-being, laying a solid foundation for them to become lifelong learners.

Deeply embedded in our service model, we hold that practicing hands-on science in our ecosystems enhances students ability to question, observe, and spark their curiosity about the natural world. Tapping into our challenge structures and participating in outdoor education courses help them build confidence, resilience, and a greater sense of possibility. This unique combination of field science and dynamic challenge profoundly impacts students' academic and social-emotional growth. CSIOBS intentionally includes STEM initiatives in our programming and takes responsibility for stewarding our students to become environmentally conscious champions and advocates.

CSIOBS recently completed a strategic planning process. This plan will expand our offerings to Boston Public Schools (BPS) students and strengthen our curriculum on climate resiliency and green / blue jobs. Our mission is more urgent than ever : build stronger, more equitable school communities by partnering with public schools to deliver free experiential learning programs to students that will boost academic success and foster personal growth . We are a proud member of the network of nine Outward Bound schools in the U.S. with a shared mission to change lives through challenge and discovery.

Position Overview : Key to our success will be expanding our Major Gifts program. As Major Gifts Officer, you will be responsible for both managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift donors and identifying new prospects. The primary focus of this role will be on donors of $10,000 and up. The FY25 goal for Major Gifts is $1.68M, and this number is projected to grow.

This is a key position in the team and interacts closely with the President & CEO and the Board.

Responsibilities :

• Manage portfolio of 100-125 donors and prospects
• Understand the motivations of each donor in order to help them accomplish their philanthropic goals while developing a deep commitment to CSIOBS mission
• Partner with existing donors to secure meaningful investments in CSIOBS programs and events; identify and cultivate opportunities for upgrading levels of giving
• Identify new prospects by working with board and committee members, using prospect research tools, developing recruitment events, etc.
• Create and implement moves management plans that include cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities
• Conduct a minimum of 15 - 25 donor / prospect visits in-person or virtually per month and provide visit and gift data as part of prospect management tracking; use data to drive moves management activity
• Arrange and lead site visits for donors and prospects
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations
• Assist the President & CEO, board, and other staff major donor solicitations
• Track activities in CRM system; manage documentation of pledges / gifts
• Work with the development department to align efforts and set goals
• Serve as a teammate by providing strategic counsel, portfolio development support, etc.
• Assist in creating the programmatic content at gala and other fundraisers; oversee gala seating plan for board members and individual attendees
• Partner with the development / communications team to create solicitations and other communication materials
• Acknowledge major donors through public and private recognition
• Assist in creating the programmatic content at the Gala speakers, and student greeters
• Oversee Gala seating plan for Board members and individual attendees
• Track and report progress using specific metrics
• Offer suggestions of possible committee and board members to the board nominating committee
• Key to this role is the development of data-driven reports and statistical analysis of the prospect pool and donor pipeline in coordination with the broader development team and across departments. This role will require travel and the occasional evening and weekend work.

Qualifications

WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The New England coast experiences various weather conditions, which can be challenging. You will be required to work on the island 3 or more times a week from April to October. CSIOBS will take care of your ferry transportation and temporary onsite housing. Every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and development. A criminal background check is required for this position.

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This hire must reside in the Boston area and be willing to work on our island in Boston Harbor for eight months of the year. During the off-season, the hire will work at our local office in Seaport, Boston.

WHO YOU ARE

All CSIOBS staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students to be challenged via discovery, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration. All candidates should demonstrate leadership, coaching, relationship management experience, and substantial success in managing funder relationships.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to staff learning, growth, and development. Our holistic investment includes the following :

Competitive salaries. This is an exempt position with a starting salary range, commensurate with experience.

Major Gift Officer : $95,000 to $110,000

Medical insurance with up to 80% employer contribution.

Dental, vision, FSA, life, and disability insurance plans.

401 (K) and Employer Match

Generous paid time off, including 17 vacation days, 20 personal days, and 13 company-wide holidays.

Individual, local, regional, and national training.

A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.

An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care.

Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

Our staff and board care deeply about social justice, equity, and diverse perspectives and backgrounds, creating a rich work environment and enhancing our ability to pursue our mission. We hope you will join us as we continue to make a diverse organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

HOW TO APPLY

Select "Apply for this Position" below to submit a resume and a compelling cover letter addressed to Rebecca Fater, Interim Chief Development Officer, by March 30, 2025, at or before 2 pm.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks staff that is as diverse as the communities it serves. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.

Salary : $95,000 - $110,000