Major Gifts Officer

For 42 years, Austin Street Center has specialized in caring for the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Dallas and surrounding communities. Beyond meeting basic needs, Austin Street is committed to individualized care for each person who comes to us for help. Our goal is that every person who comes to Austin Street Center finds hope, support, and the resources they need to transition to safe and stable housing.

Your role will support the mission through the following actions:

• Support organization with a mindset of kindness, trustworthiness, determination and empowerment—our core values— for those that we serve
• Be aware of Client(s) particular circumstances (e.g. health concerns, peak stress time, emotional difficulties, problems, etc.)
• Requires resourcefulness and the ability to make decisions in a timely, efficient manner using the training and guidance provided
• Recognize that diversity of culture, personality, and life experience are ingredients for a better world
• Demonstrate experience with sensitivity to varying cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, values, and attitudes.
• Communicate with Client(s) and team member(s) with a positive and willing attitude to help
• Flexibility to learn at all times and recover with poise and ease from setbacks
• Understand and abide by the confidentiality standards of the organization
• Ensure that all health and safety standards are followed and corrected when needed
• Provide a safe environment, shelter and meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless
• Independently manage time with little supervision
• Ability to multitask, handle on-site crisis and adapt to the changing needs of the clients
• Acceptance of agency philosophies of providing hope, support and the resources needed to transition out of homelessness
• Able to develop and maintain positive working relationships with clients, staff and community contacts and able to effectively address and resolve conflict as needed
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse teams, build consensus, and motivate change

Position Purpose

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for developing and managing relationships with individual donors and prospects capable of making significant contributions to support Austin Street Center’s mission. This role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $10,000 and above, while working collaboratively with leadership and development staff to achieve annual fundraising goals and goals related to any campaigns planned by the organization. Key responsibilities include:

Portfolio Management

• • Manage a portfolio of 100–125 major gift prospects and donors
  • Develop and implement individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies

Donor Engagement

• • Conduct face-to-face meetings, calls, and written communications to build strong relationships
  • Prepare compelling proposals, presentations, and reports tailored to donor interests

Collaboration

• • Work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer and leadership team to align major gift strategies with organizational priorities
  • Partner with program staff to understand funding needs and impact stories

Stewardship

• • Ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgment of gifts
  • Provide ongoing engagement opportunities to deepen donor commitment

Goal Achievement

• • Meet or exceed annual revenue targets for major gifts
  • Track and report progress using CRM systems and analytics tools

Skills / Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in the fundraising and development space
• Experience with capital campaigns required
• 5+ years of experience preferred
• Donor database experience preferred
• Excellent organization and operational skills
• Keen attention to detail and strong analytic and problem-solving skills
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to individuals and groups
• Strong interpersonal skills: to deal with a diverse range of people
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written
• Demonstrates adaptability to performing a variety of duties, occasionally changing from one task to another of a different nature with minimal loss of efficiency or composure

Strong applications will include a cover letter which details how the applicant demonstrates the character qualities required for excellent performance in this position.

Please ensure to include in the application your most recent three professional positions and at least three references.