Major Gifts Officer

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Campaign Leadership and Strategy

• As part of the Dream Center’s Executive Leadership team, lead the planning, coordination, execution, and management of the Big Dream Early Learning capital campaign.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive campaign plan, including goals, timelines, donor segments, cultivation strategies, solicitation plans, stewardship practices, and committee engagement rhythms.
• Work closely with Dream Centers leadership to clarify campaign priorities, funding needs, messaging, and donor engagement opportunities.
• Track campaign progress against goals and provide regular updates to executive leadership, the board, campaign committees and subcommittees, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify potential risks, gaps, or opportunities in the campaign and recommend adjustments as needed.

Steering Committee and Subcommittee Management

• Manage and support the existing campaign committees and subcommittees.
• Ensure committee members are clear on goals, roles, timelines, assignments, and next steps.
• Coordinate committee meetings, agendas, materials, follow-up items, donor assignments, and accountability rhythms.
• Help keep campaign leaders engaged, informed, encouraged, and moving together toward shared goals.
• Serve as a central point of coordination between Dream Centers staff, committee members, subcommittee chairs, and organizational leadership.
• Create a culture of momentum, clarity, ownership, and relational trust across the campaign structure.

Colorado Springs Philanthropic Engagement

• Bring deep knowledge of and connection to the Colorado Springs philanthropic community.
• Identify, cultivate, and engage local donors, foundations, businesses, churches, civic leaders, and community partners who may be aligned with the vision of Big Dream Early Learning.
• Open doors, build bridges, and strengthen relationships between Dream Centers and key philanthropic networks in the region.
• Represent Dream Centers with warmth, credibility, professionalism, and deep alignment with the mission.
• Understand the local giving landscape and help shape strategies that are relationally wise, community-centered, and effective.

Major Donor Cultivation and Solicitation

• Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, including individuals, families, foundations, churches, businesses, and community partners.
• Create personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for key donors.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, campaign materials, pledge requests, and follow-up communications.
• Support the CEO, executive leadership, board members, committee members, and subcommittee leaders in donor meetings and asks.
• Ensure every donor interaction is thoughtful, timely, relational, and aligned with the heart of Dream Centers.

Storytelling and Campaign Communication

• Tell the story of Big Dream Early Learning in a way that connects the innovative science of this groundbreaking program with the lived experience and currently unmet needs of children and families.
• Translate complex needs into simple, compelling opportunities for generosity.
• Protect the dignity of children and families in all storytelling.

Donor Stewardship and Campaign Operations

• Develop and manage a strong stewardship plan for campaign donors, including gift acknowledgments, impact updates, recognition opportunities, and personal follow-up.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, pledge documentation, committee assignments, and campaign tracking systems.
• Coordinate with finance and operations teams to ensure gifts, pledges, restrictions, and reports are handled with excellence.
• Prepare regular campaign dashboards and progress reports.
• Ensure campaign activity is organized, confidential, and donor-centered.

QUALIFICATIONS

Character and Calling

• Strong alignment with Dream Centers’ Christian mission and a desire to serve children, families, and vulnerable communities.
• Ability to lead with both clarity and care in a mission-driven environment
• Passion for children, families, healing, prevention, and community transformation.
• A deep belief that children deserve safety, belonging, and the freedom to dream.

Competency and Experience

• 7+ years of experience in fundraising, advancement, major gifts, capital campaigns, nonprofit leadership, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
• Deep relationships and credibility within the Colorado Springs philanthropic community.
• Strong understanding of local donor networks, foundations, civic leadership, business philanthropy, churches, and community partnerships.
• Experience managing committees, volunteer leaders, campaign cabinets, or similar leadership groups.
• Excellent relational instincts and the ability to build trust with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tell a compelling story and make a clear invitation.
• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and follow-through.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to move many pieces forward without losing sight of people.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting or leading a capital campaign.
• Established relationships with local donors, foundations, churches, business leaders, civic partners, and community champions.
• Experience in nonprofit, ministry, or mission-driven environments.

Working Relationship

• This role will work closely with the CEO, executive leadership team, board of directors, Big Dream Early Learning Steering Committee, campaign subcommittees, development staff, communications team, and key external partners.
• The Major Gifts Officer will serve as a central driver of campaign momentum, helping ensure that strategy, relationships, committee leadership, communication, and follow-through are all moving together toward the same dream.