Reports to: Director of Development
Location: Remote; Chicago, IL; or Washington, DC (preferred)
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Compensation: $80,000–$90,000, with eligibility for a performance-based bonus.
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 75–100 major donors and prospects across the country. This position plays a critical role in securing philanthropic revenue to advance The Heartland Institute’s mission by developing long-term relationships built on trust, impact, and shared values.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of 80–100 current and prospective donors giving $5,000+ annually.
- Conduct regular travel (approximately 40–50%) to meet with donors and prospects nationwide.
- Develop customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each assigned donor.
- Partner with the President and Director of Development on joint solicitations and stewardship efforts.
- Track all donor activity, interactions, and projections in Salesforce CRM.
- Prepare personalized proposals, briefing materials, and follow-up correspondence.
- Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals and activity benchmarks.
- Participate in organizational events and donor stewardship activities.
Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in major gifts, fundraising, or business development.
- Experience working with a libertarian/conservative think tank.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; confident and polished in one-on-one settings.
- Excellent writing, presentation, and organizational abilities.
- Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
- Ability to travel independently and manage multiple priorities.
- Understanding of and alignment with Heartland’s free-market mission, particularly regarding climate and energy.
- CFP or CFRE certification preferred.
- Demonstrated success closing five- and six-figure gifts.
Salary & Benefits
Health insurance is available to full-time employees. The Heartland Institute pays 60 percent of premiums and offers a choice of two plans: a low-deductible plan and high-deductible plan with health savings accounts (HSAs). Employees who choose the high-deductible plan also receive annual cash deposits into their HSAs of $125 per month for individuals and $250 per month for families. The Heartland Institute also pays for life and disability insurance and fees for a 401(k) plan. (The employer does not currently match employee contributions to 401(k) plans.)
Paid Time Off (PTO)
The Heartland Institute appreciates how hard employees work and recognizes the importance of providing time for rest and relaxation. Full-time employees accrue paid time off each pay period and are encouraged to use this time to recharge.
TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Resume
- Cover Letter detailing your interest in the position and the mission of The Heartland Institute, as well as your salary requirements.
Application materials should be submitted via email to:
Wanda Davis, Director of Administration [email protected]
There is no application deadline for this position; applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled: https://heartland.org/about-us/careers/
