Senior Major Gifts Associate & Major Gifts Associate

Salary:

Major Gifts Associate $50,000 to $60,000 per year based on experience and location

Senior Major Gifts Associate $65,000-$75,000 per year based on experience and location

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Charlotte or Raleigh

Reports to: VP, Philanthropy and Communications

North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) is expanding its development team with two distinct Major Gifts roles—one designed for an emerging fundraiser ready to grow, and one for a seasoned professional seeking meaningful impact.

We are seeking passionate, relationship-driven individuals who want to help advance our mission of protecting North Carolina’s wildlife and wild places through strategic philanthropy. Whether you’re eager to learn the craft of major gift fundraising or bring your established expertise to deepen donor relationships and secure transformational gifts, NCWF offers the platform, mentorship, and mission to help you thrive.

Both positions focus on permission-based donor engagement, proactive outreach, and values-driven stewardship—ensuring that every donor relationship is built on trust, alignment, and lasting impact.

To see a more comprehensive version of each job description, visit ncwf.org/careers .

The Senior Major Gifts Associate is a leadership role focused on cultivating transformational gifts and building long-term, mission-aligned donor relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects
• Secure 5-, 6-, and 7-figure gifts aligned with NCWF’s mission
• Conduct 10 face-to-face meetings per month
• Craft personalized stewardship and solicitation strategies
• Collaborate with leadership and board to advance donor engagement

Qualifications:

• 3 years in major gift fundraising
• Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills
• Excellent communication and strategic thinking abilities
• Understanding of planned giving is a plus
• Experience conducting research on individual donors using DonorSearch and online resources.
• Passion for wildlife conservation and the outdoors.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and results driven.
• Experience with donor databases and CRM systems is a plus.
• Passion for conservation and the outdoors

The Major Gifts Associate is ideal for a mission-driven professional with a background in communications or marketing, and an eagerness to learn and grow in the fundraising field.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct donor outreach and qualification
• Hold 10 donor meetings per month
• Assist in creating donor-facing content and proposals
• Help coordinate events, experiences, and stewardship strategies
• Work closely with senior fundraising staff to learn best practices in major gifts fundraising

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field
• Excellent listener and communicator
• Willingness to conduct cold calls and proactive donor outreach.
• Interest in face-to-face donor engagement and stewardship.
• Strategic thinking to align NCWF’s mission with funder priorities.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools for writing
• Proficiency in CRM systems. Experience with DonorPerfect a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster productive relationships with donors and volunteers

• 100% employer-paid medical insurance
• Optional dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life, short-term & long-term disability
• Employer-paid 401(k) employee investment option
• Paid vacation, 11 holidays, parental leave
• Flexible work schedule
• Field-based experiences in some of North Carolina’s most beautiful wild places

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to NCWF VP of Philanthropy and Communications, Kate Greiner, at kate@ncwf.org. LinkedIn Easy Apply will not be accepted. The position will remain open until filled. No phone calls. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

NCWF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.