Major Gift Officer

About The Job

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Boston area – In-person donor visits and performance/event attendance required

Hours: 1 ½ days/week

Compensation: $3,000/month. A budget for travel, meals with donors, and tools such as wealth

screening and prospect research will be provided.

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About White Snake Projects

Founded in 2018, White Snake Projects (WSP) is an activist opera company blazing the way for opera-based activism to open public discourse on the pressing issues facing us in today’s conflict-ridden world. The company uplifts the voices of historically marginalized creators and artists. It is one of the few opera companies founded and led by an immigrant woman of color.

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Position Summary

White Snake Projects seeks a seasoned Major Gift Officer to serve as a strategic fundraising partner on a part-time, contract basis (“fractional”). This individual will lead the effort to grow our major donor pipeline, strengthen relationships with key supporters, and increase individual giving at the $5,000+ level. The ideal candidate brings both strategic insight and hands-on experience, and is comfortable working independently within a lean team environment.

The Why and What of “fractional”

White Snake Projects has neither the donor base nor the budget for a six-figure Major Gift Officer carrying a portfolio of 100-125 donors.

We do have enough potential major donors identified through a DonorSearch wealth screening to support a portfolio of 15-20 donors.

As a fractional Major Gift Officer, you have the option to only work with WSP—or to contract with other nonprofits, as well.

We are not a “stop over” between full-time jobs. We are looking for a long-term relationship that leaves the typical 18-month development turnover statistic in the rearview mirror.

The Possibility of Overlapping Donors

The model requires that the fractional MGO:

• Maintain a “firewall” and honor each organization’s donor ownership and strategy.
• Sign an Agreement that sets expectations and ethical boundaries from the start.
• Segments clients by sector, agreeing not to contract with another performing arts organization in the Greater Boston Area while contracted by WSP.

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Key Responsibilities

(1) Execute all phases of major gift fundraising, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies—with an emphasis on face-to-face visits.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 15-20 current and prospective major donors
• Make at least 30 in-person donor visits each year
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to advance key relationships and secure new or increased gifts
• Develop individualized cultivation and stewardship strategies for each donor, with the goal of securing new and increased gifts.
• Assist in identifying new prospects through research and network building.

(2) Recommend updates to materials and donor proposals as necessary. An initial “Donor Conversation Driver” that can be used to support the donor conversation and present donor giving opportunities will be provided.

(3) Track interactions and outcomes in Bloomerang, White Snake’s CRM.

(4) Attend events designed to support relationship-building

• 3-4 small donor gatherings used to introduce new donors and maintain existing relationships.
• VIP pre-production dinners and Main Stage productions (1-2/year) and select community programs/events (4-5/year).
• One program-oriented staff meeting/month to learn more about the upcoming Main Stage production and community programs.
• Prepare a monthly report that summarizes: # of donor calls, visits, asks, other activities, and results/status.

This position expressly does not include: Event planning, annual appeals, grant writing or any

other non-major gift fundraising-related activities.

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Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in nonprofit major gift fundraising, preferably in small-to-mid-sized nonprofits with a track record of securing gifts of $5,000+ during in-person donor visits.
• Comfort engaging with high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong listening and relationship-building skills.
• Persistence (to set-up donor visits).
• Excellent verbal communication abilities.
• Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with donor databases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a smaller nonprofit environment.
• Some familiarity with theater, opera, or music.

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How to Apply

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