| Location | New Canaan, Connecticut |
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Major Gifts Officer (MGO) stewards existing donor relationships and builds new relationships between Silver Hill Hospital and prospective major donors, primarily individuals and families. The MGO qualifies and assesses donor and prospect philanthropic interests, builds and manages a robust donor portfolio, and deepens the Hospital’s relationships with individuals and families with the capacity to make five- to seven-figure gifts. The MGO actively engages donors and promising prospective donors, including grateful former patients and families, to invite philanthropic support and encourage meaningful involvement with the Hospital.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Develops and implements strategies to secure major gifts from individual donors.
Manages an active portfolio of 100–150 prospective and current donors, as well as an additional suspect pool, at various stages of cultivation and stewardship to primarily secure major and leadership gifts of $10K to $1M for Silver Hill Hospital.
Identifies, qualifies, and secures appointments with current donors and new prospects, soliciting and closing five- to seven-figure gifts.
Prepares accurate briefings, proposals, and related materials for donors and prospects, and drafts and executes gift agreements. In partnership with the Chief Development Officer, manages the major donor pipeline and helps coordinate prospect strategy across the Development team.
Tracks and reports on fundraising goals and outcomes.
Mentors other members of the Development team as needed in major gifts fundraising essentials.
Performs other responsibilities and duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a field that provides a strong foundation for success in this role.
Ten years of professional experience, including at least two years managing a portfolio of prospective five- to seven-figure donors.
Demonstrated success soliciting and closing five- to seven-figure gifts, ideally as part of a well-established major gift program.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with former patients and family members, board members, clinical leaders, and high-net-worth individuals.
Proven track record of managing donor pipeline movement through CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to articulate clinical and institutional priorities persuasively.
Ability and willingness to travel for in-person, off-site donor meetings as needed.
Knowledge of or experience with Planned Giving a plus.
Stays up to date on trends and best practices in major gift philanthropy.
Passion for improving lives and reducing suffering for individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges.
Physical and Other Requirements:
Primarily on-site role with some hybrid flexibility.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Silver Hill Hospital (“SHH”) is fully committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all present employees as well as for applicants in all phases of the employment process (recruitment, hiring, assignment, conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination). Therefore, except in any cases of bona fide occupational qualification or need, SHH will act without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, past/present history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, physical or learning disability, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by applicable law, (unless it is shown by supervisory personnel that a disability prevents performance of the work involved or may result in undue hardship) in all aspects of the employment process and relationship. This policy is based on the understanding that an applicant is able to handle the job requirements. Employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.