Major Gifts Officer

Description

Position Summary:

The Major Gifts Officer plays a pivotal role in advancing The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. Reporting to the Senior Major Gifts Officer and working closely with the Chief Development Officer, President/CEO, Development team, and key Board and volunteer leaders, this position focuses on securing major philanthropic investments for The Living Desert’s Pride of the Desert Capital Campaign, a transformative initiative shaping the “Zoo of the Future” through new habitats, immersive guest experiences, and expanded conservation impact.

This is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-centered fundraiser who thrives on connecting people with purpose. The Major Gifts Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors, inspiring them to invest in The Living Desert’s vision for Lion Ridge, the Connie & Bob Lurie Special Events Center, and other landmark projects that define the next generation of desert conservation and engagement.

If you’re passionate about meaningful relationships, inspired storytelling, and creating lasting impact – and you love the idea of working where giraffes, rhinos, and blooming desert gardens are part of your everyday – this role offers the chance to make a visible and lasting difference as part of an ambitious, collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities:

As part of a dynamic development team, the Major Gifts Officer will:

• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with donors to align their philanthropic goals with The Living Desert’s mission.
• Conduct at least 120 meaningful donor interactions annually, including cultivation visits and solicitations.
• Research, identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects capable of making significant gifts ($50,000 to $1,000,000+).
• Cultivate and steward donors building philanthropic support by maintaining timely and consistent contact with donors and potential donors in order to establish, sustain, and enhance positive relationships leading to significant gifts.
• Outreach to top-tier country clubs to welcome their club residents, create presentations to acquaint residents with The Living Desert and invite on tours; participate in organizing cultivation events for the clubs, arrange for prospects to meet personally with President/CEO Allen Monroe, and cultivate prospects to solicit major and planned gifts.
• Represent the organization to the community and through professional functions as appropriate.
• Write and maintain accurate donor contact reports and donor records.
• Contribute to The Living Desert’s Strategic Plan by becoming a Desert Defender upon employment, participating in desert conservation through reduction of waste, water, and energy use, and inspiring guests and team members to take conservation actions.
• Assist with other efforts and projects as assigned.
• This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.

Compensation:

• Salary: $125,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for annual incentive compensation based on fundraising performance and subject to the terms of The Living Desert's incentive compensation program.

Work Location:

This position is based on-site at The Living Desert in Palm Desert, California. The Major Gifts Officer will maintain a strong presence on zoo grounds to engage with donors, guests, and staff because at The Living Desert, connection and inspiration happen in person. This is not a remote position.

Working Conditions:

TEAM CULTURE: The Living Desert offers a collaborative, mission-driven environment where every team member helps create extraordinary experiences for our guests, donors, and wildlife. Within the Development Department, we embrace a one-team mindset that values partnership, communication, and shared success.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Sitting at a workstation for extended periods of time; working on a computer for limited periods of time, standing, walking, sitting, bending, twisting, and reaching motions; occasionally carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds; driving a golf cart safely with guests. Able to stand/walk for extended periods of time, related to event management. Physical labor is occasionally required when setting up and breaking down for events.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Working in an office environment; occasional work off-grounds in the community. Significant time spent on grounds in the Zoo touring potential and current donors in golf carts during private tours

DISCOMFORT/RISKS: Occasional exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, and dust/airborne materials.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work.

TRAVEL: Some travel may be necessary to attend local events within the Coachella Valley as well as outside of the Coachella Valley, e.g., to meet with prospects, manage cultivation receptions. Conference and workshop attendance available depending on budgetary demands.

OTHER: Must hold a valid California driver’s license and be insurable on The Living Desert’s automobile policy.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Experience and expertise in the principles and practices of effective fund development strategies, specifically in the area of major donor giving.
• Strong verbal and written skills to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the talent and the personality to work collaboratively, accept responsibility, and motivate colleagues, volunteers, and donors.
• Ability to work with others cooperatively and enthusiastically in a dynamic team setting.
• Willingness to form professional networking relationships with others.
• Perform duties with a high degree of independence, integrity, and ethical standards.
• Ability to work in a small department where hands-on participation is needed.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to read reports, gather and analyze data, and compile information for written reports.
• Knowledge and experience using personal computers, hardware, and software programs including Word, Outlook, Excel, and CRM fundraising software, preferably DonorPerfect (prospecting, research, wealth screening).
• Familiarity with maintaining and working within established budgets.

Specific Skills Required:

Bachelor’s degree preferred and minimum six years of success as a development professional or comparable sales/marketing experience. Prior experience in annual giving, event management, and donor relations is highly desirable. Will substitute applicable experience for part or all of the education requirements.

Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).