Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Board Development • Gift Stewardship • Annual Report

Major Gifts

Term from Nonprofit Organizations industry explained for recruiters

Major Gifts refers to large donations made to nonprofit organizations, typically by wealthy individuals, foundations, or corporations. This is a specialized area of fundraising where professionals build and maintain relationships with donors who can make significant financial contributions. The term "major gift" usually means donations above a certain threshold (often $10,000 or more, though this varies by organization). Similar terms include "principal gifts" for even larger donations, or "leadership giving." These roles are crucial for nonprofits as major gifts often make up a large portion of their funding.

Examples in Resumes

Secured over $2M in Major Gifts through strategic donor cultivation

Managed a portfolio of 150 Major Gift prospects and donors

Led Major Gifts program resulting in 40% increase in leadership giving

Developed successful Major Gift cultivation strategies for Principal Gifts donors

Typical job title: "Major Gift Officers"

Also try searching for:

Major Gifts Officer Director of Major Gifts Principal Gifts Officer Leadership Giving Director Senior Development Officer Major Donor Relations Manager Philanthropic Advisor

Where to Find Major Gift Officers

Professional Associations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you develop and implement a major gifts strategy for an organization?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating donor pipelines, gift pyramids, setting appropriate giving levels, training staff, and integrating major gifts with overall fundraising strategy. Should mention importance of ROI metrics and board involvement.

Q: How do you handle a situation where a major donor wants to restrict their gift in a way that might not align with organizational priorities?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate negotiation skills, ability to balance donor interests with organizational needs, and experience in creating win-win solutions while maintaining positive relationships.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods do you use to qualify and cultivate potential major gift donors?

Expected Answer: Should explain donor research techniques, relationship building strategies, understanding giving capacity, and methods for moving donors through the giving pipeline.

Q: How do you maintain relationships with donors between gifts?

Expected Answer: Should discuss stewardship practices, regular communication strategies, donor recognition, and ways to keep donors engaged with the organization's mission.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's your understanding of the donor cycle?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic steps: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, showing understanding of how donors move through these stages.

Q: How would you research a potential donor?

Expected Answer: Should mention using donor databases, wealth screening tools, public records, social media, and news sources to gather information about giving capacity and interests.