Major Donor Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

OARS 3 Rivers is the watershed organization for the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers (SuAsCo), working to protect, improve, and preserve these rivers and their watershed for all people and wildlife. Our vision is a watershed with resilient streams and rivers that provide healthy wildlife habitat, clean water, natural beauty, education, and recreational opportunities for all. We are a science-based, inclusive, and innovative nonprofit that combines advocacy, education, ecological restoration, and community engagement to achieve this vision. As a growing force for environmental change, OARS is leading the charge toward a healthier, more connected watershed in the face of climate change and regional development.

JOB OVERVIEW

OARS 3 Rivers seeks a proactive, results-driven Major Donor Officer to join our growing team. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Development (DCD), the Major Donor Officer will lead efforts to cultivate and secure major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations with the capacity to make four-, five-, and six-figure contributions.

This is a pivotal moment for OARS: recent growth in visibility, programming, and grant funding has positioned the organization for an ambitious leap in philanthropic support, with annual fundraising needs expected to double from $750,000 in 2025 to $1.5 million by 2027. The Major Donor Officer will play a central role in making this growth possible, managing a robust donor portfolio, developing strategies for individual and foundational giving, and helping drive our mission forward.

This is a hybrid position, with staff typically working 2–4 days per week from our West Concord, MA office. The role requires frequent in-person donor meetings across the SuAsCo watershed and Greater Boston area, as well as occasional evening and weekend commitments for events and cultivation opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Partner with the DCD to design and implement an individual giving strategy aligned with OARS’ strategic growth goals.
• Develop and maintain a dynamic portfolio of 100–150 current and prospective donors with giving capacity at the four-, five-, and six-figure levels.
• Build, assess, and refine the portfolio in coordination with the DCD to ensure optimal donor engagement and revenue outcomes.
• Establish and meet annual revenue goals for each donor and for the major gifts program overall.
• Design and implement a robust moves management plan for cultivating and soliciting major gifts.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Conduct 10–12 donor meetings monthly, primarily in-person, to build relationships and solicit gifts.
• Prepare personalized proposals, presentations, correspondence, gift agreements, and stewardship communications.
• Support the donor engagement efforts of the Executive Director and Board members through briefings, meeting coordination, and follow-ups.
• Manage peer-to-peer fundraising and donor engagement activities in collaboration with DCD.
• Cultivate and secure planned gifts as appropriate.

Development Operations & Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Accurately record all donor interactions and plans in OARS’ CRM system (Bloomerang).
• Analyze donor data and generate reports to track progress toward goals.
• Collaborate with other departments (Ecological Restoration, Education, Water Quality, Community Engagement) to align funding priorities and messaging.
• Contribute to a collaborative team culture in a small office where flexibility, initiative, and teamwork are essential.
• Attend staff and committee meetings and perform additional duties as assigned.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Skills & Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of successful frontline fundraising experience with major donors in a nonprofit with a $1M+ budget.
• Proven track record securing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals and foundations.
• Strong storytelling, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Experience creating compelling proposals and presentations.
• Ability to maintain high standards of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in donor relationships.
• Proficient in donor CRM systems (Bloomerang experience preferred), Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual collaboration tools.
• Understanding of and enthusiasm for OARS’ mission and programs.

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with a goal-oriented mindset.
• Flexible, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable with regional travel (up to 75%) and evening/weekend events.
• Familiarity with the Greater Boston philanthropic community a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary range starting at $65,000–$75,000, based on experience.
• Annual performance bonus up to $50,000 based on fundraising goals achieved beyond baseline.
• Benefits include flexible hybrid work schedule, generous paid time off, professional development support, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of the region’s rivers and communities.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

OARS does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We recognize that individuals from underrepresented groups may not meet every listed qualification, and we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the potential to succeed in this role and contribute meaningfully to our mission. Your perspective and lived experience are valuable to us.