Major Gifts Officer
Position classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt
Application deadline: August 10, 2026
Start date: October 1, 2026
Office location: Hybrid, preferably based out of our Middletown, CT office.
Health benefit eligible: Yes
Retirement benefits eligible: Yes
Supervisor: Chief Development Officer
Salary: $75,000 - $90,000
Position Description
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will deepen relationships with donors who share our passion for clean water and healthy rivers. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the MGO will lead CRC's major gifts efforts in Connecticut, a region of significant growth opportunity, while also supporting major gifts work across the broader watershed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The MGO will inherit and grow a Connecticut-focused portfolio, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding 50-70 major donors and must bring demonstrated experience and confidence in securing four- and five-figure gifts with aspirations of closing six-figure gifts. Year one will be focused on retention and relationship-building with existing donors and year two will be focused on building a robust pipeline to drive growth. The ideal candidate pairs sophisticated major gifts fundraising skills with a genuine connection to environmental conservation and ability to translate the ecological complexity of the Connecticut River watershed into compelling stories that inspire transformational giving.
Primary Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of active major gift donors (30-40) and new prospective major gift donors (20-30) for a total portfolio of 50-70 donors, with a strategic focus on cultivating and soliciting four- and five-figure gifts.
Develop and implement individualized cultivation and stewardship plans for each donor and prospect in your portfolio, moving donors through the giving cycle with intentionality and care.
Lead CRC's major gifts expansion, particularly in the southern watershed, deepening relationships with existing donors and identifying and cultivating new prospects in a region with significant untapped philanthropic potential.
Conduct prospect research independently to identify new major gift prospects from CRC's existing donor base, lapsed donors, and new audiences to add to your portfolio.
Develop and maintain major gift portfolios for the Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, conduct prospect research, and help schedule visits to support donor engagement and solicitation work.
Prepare compelling gift proposals, impact reports, acknowledgment letters, and other donor communications that connect individual philanthropic interests to CRC's conservation priorities.
Support legacy-giving conversations when organically appropriate, in coordination with the Chief Development Officer.
Collaborate closely with the Chief Development Officer on portfolio strategy, goal-setting, and moves management, maintaining accurate and timely records of all donor contacts and activity in CRC's CRM.
Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events, including house parties, field site visits, and watershed experiences in coordination with CRC staff and volunteer hosts.
Partner with program staff, particularly CRC's River Stewards, to stay current on conservation work in the region and translate outcomes into donor-ready stories.
Represent CRC at community events, donor gatherings, and regional conservation convenings across the entire watershed as needed.
Work collaboratively with the development team to support broader fundraising efforts, including year-end campaigns, as needed.
Qualifications
Are you excited about this opportunity and don’t meet every requirement?
We understand that many people who may be impacted by biased hiring standards, such as women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC applicants, may only apply if they meet every requirement listed in a job posting. If you are interested in this opportunity and believe you meet most of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply.
Minimum 5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, with a demonstrated track record of successfully soliciting and closing four- and five-figure gifts.
Proven ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and move prospects through a full cultivation and solicitation cycle.
Experience conducting prospect research and translating findings into actionable donor strategies.
General familiarity with CRM systems to track donor activity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, impact reports, and donor correspondence.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple donor relationships and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to work well independently and as part of our development team, coordinating with other staff as needed.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly within Connecticut and occasionally across the broader watershed.
Commitment to CRC's mission of clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient watershed communities.
Friendly and professional demeanor.
Nice to Have
Experience working in environmental conservation, natural resources, or a related mission-driven field.
Familiarity with the Connecticut River watershed region and its communities.
Experience planning and executing donor cultivation events.
Knowledge of or experience with Virtuous or similar CRM platforms.
Knowledge of community-centric fundraising principles.
Office Location
This is a hybrid position. Candidates must reside within the Connecticut River watershed with a preference for Connecticut. Candidates in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire will be considered. Regular in-person donor meetings and office attendance are required.
Salary and Benefits
CRC provides medical, dental and vision benefits, ample paid time off, and up to a 3% match for retirement.
Application Instructions
To apply for the position, use the form below to upload your cover letter and resume as a combined PDF. Please name your file with your first and last name.
Application Deadline
August 10, 2026
Overview of the Organization
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed.
CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and its tributary streams since 1952. Our programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation events, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports efforts for resilient and life-filled rivers from source to sea. We are uniquely positioned to leverage local, state, regional, and federal resources as the only science-based nonprofit working throughout the entire watershed. Our values of collaboration, integrity, purpose, and adaptability guide our ongoing work to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Together through community engagement and education, we’re helping to ensure healthy rivers for all. Learn more at ctriver.org.
The Connecticut River Conservancy is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and will engage in an inclusive recruiting and hiring process. It considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.