Organizational Overview The
Emerald Necklace Conservancy is a growing nonprofit in Boston, MA with a mission to restore and improve the Emerald Necklace for all. The Conservancy is dedicated to stewarding the 1,100 acre linear park system in Boston and Brookline connecting over 15 diverse neighborhoods.
Our vision: A thriving Emerald Necklace where people and parks care for each other, made possible through thoughtful parks care, people-driven programming and inclusive policy work. Job Overview The Emerald Necklace Conservancy seeks a pro-active and results-driven
Major Gift Officer. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Major Gift Officer will develop and implement strategies to secure financial support from a portfolio of donor prospects with the capacity and inclination to make five- and six-figure gifts to the Conservancy. The Conservancy has greatly increased its visibility and fundraising in the past few years, including 7-figure commitments to endowment, with a fundraising goal over $6 million in FY25. The Major Gift Officer must be able to communicate the mission, values, and scope of the Conservancy to a diverse range of donors and stakeholders and be comfortable with managing competing priorities that come with rapid and ambitious organizational growth.
This is a hybrid, full-time, exempt position; currently, Conservancy staff work in our Jamaica Plain office two days per week. This role will require donor meetings in the Emerald Necklace parks, off-site donor meetings and events and occasional evening and weekend hours.
Key Responsibilities Major Gifts Strategy Work - Partner with the Chief Development Officer in developing an individual giving strategy that will meet the fundraising goals of the Conservancy in alignment with the Conservancy's broader strategic objectives.
- Assist in development of realistic fundraising targets and projections
- Develop strategies for effective and efficient engagement and stewardship
Fundraising Responsibilities - Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 100-125 prospective donors with the capacity and inclination for five- and six-figure gifts.
- Maximize support from individual donors to achieve annual goals.
- Conduct 10-12 donor meetings monthly, either in-person or virtually, traveling regionally as necessary.
- Secure sponsorships for signature events, the annual Party in the Park and bi-annual Emerald Evening,
- Support the donor engagement activities of the Conservancy's leadership, drafting correspondence and facilitating donor meetings.
- Prepare briefings, proposals, gift agreements and other donor-based collateral.
- Manage peer-to-peer fundraising efforts for key volunteers, including board members.
- Cultivate and secure planned gifts as appropriate.
Development Operations/Coordination - Maintain the highest standards of relationship management and reporting of donor interactions in the donor database.
- Generate and analyze data-driven reports as necessary.
- Coordinate stewardship efforts with appropriate colleagues, especially Marketing & Communications staff.
- Collaborate actively with colleagues from other departments.
- Attend team, departmental and all-staff meetings.
- Perform other responsibilities as directed or as necessary.
Key Qualifications Skills & Experience - Minimum of three (3) years of experience in frontline high-dollar donor solicitation within a medium to large sized nonprofit ($5+ million budget).
- Demonstrated track record in securing six-figure commitments.
- Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with a passion for engaging donors and the community.
- Ability to serve as a positive ambassador for the Conservancy, the Emerald Necklace park system and Conservancy projects.
- Strong work ethic, highly responsive and attentive to details; excellent analytical, organizational and time management necessary.
- Ability to use fundraising/office technology, including email programs, web-based tools, Microsoft Office applications, and proficiency with donor management software (CRM databases, Raisers' Edge a plus).
Education/Credentials - Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- CFRE credential helpful but not required.
Personal Attributes - Ability to maintain high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, and to handle sensitive and proprietary financial information.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team, bringing flexibility, a sense of confidence and humor, strong management skills, and an ability to handle multiple projects.
Other - An understanding of the Greater Boston philanthropic community preferred.
- Must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed.
- Familiarity with or willingness to learn project management and collaboration software helpful.