Fundraising Officers (2 openings)
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is growing its frontline fundraising team and seeking two mission-driven development professionals: a Major Gifts Officer and a Planned & Leadership Giving Officer. Both roles are pivotal in securing philanthropic support that protects Maine’s coast for people and wildlife—forever.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is growing its frontline fundraising team and seeking two mission-driven development professionals: a Major Gifts Officer and a Planned & Leadership Giving Officer. Both roles are pivotal in securing philanthropic support that protects Maine’s coast for people and wildlife—forever.
We welcome candidates with strong relationship-building skills, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for conservation to apply for the role that best aligns with their experience and interests.
About the Roles:
Major Gifts Officer (MGO)
The Major Gifts Officer focuses on securing gifts of $50,000+, managing a robust portfolio of donors and prospects, and advancing annual and major giving strategies. This role is ideal for a strong relationship manager and front-line fundraiser who thrives in donor engagement, travel, and closing leadership-level gifts.
Planned & Leadership Giving Officer (PLGO)
Planned & Leadership Gifts Officer is responsible for driving the growth of MCHT's planned giving program with a goal of expanding the Legacy Circle membership from 125 to 250 within three years. Creative, strategic thinking and an ability to plan ahead are key to this role. This position manages a portfolio of 100+ donors and is responsible for donor cultivation, stewardship, and inspiring leadership gifts of $50,000+.
Both positions serve as key members of the Development team and contribute to shaping fundraising strategies, cases for support, and donor engagement across the organization.
Key Responsibilities (Shared Across Both Roles)
- Articulate MCHT’s mission, vision, and funding priorities with clarity and enthusiasm.
- Serve as an active contributor to Development team strategy, communication, and goal setting.
- Build and steward strong donor relationships, representing MCHT with professionalism, warmth, and credibility.
- Host and attend donor visits; staff senior leadership (including the President & CEO) as appropriate.
- Meet annual performance metrics for donor visits, solicitations, and revenue goals.
- Provide timely follow-up, debriefs, contact reports, and CRM updates to ensure coordination across teams.
- Offer prospect insights to inform cases for support and strategic priorities.
- Travel frequently throughout Maine and beyond (40–60% depending on role).
- Pursue ongoing learning about MCHT’s work, publications, preserves, and conservation priorities.
Distinct Responsibilities by Role
Planned & Leadership Giving Officer
- Lead and manage MCHT’s planned giving program, including strategy, goals, and program growth.
- Manage the Legacy Circle recognition program, including stewardship, materials, and events.
- Develop planned giving marketing informed by analytics and donor insights.
- Provide training and counsel to staff and volunteers to deepen organizational capacity in planned giving.
- Meet regularly with planned giving prospects and prepare gift illustrations, proposals, and valuations.
- Document planned gift conversations and commitments; coordinate with legal/financial advisors as needed.
- Secure leadership gifts alongside planned giving commitments.
Major Gifts Officer
- Manage a portfolio of approx. 125 major donor prospects with the greatest capacity and inclination.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with a goal of 15–20 major gift solicitations annually.
- Lead the expansion of the prospect pool in collaboration with the Data Analyst and Research team.
- Drive strategies for unrestricted giving and high-priority funding needs.
- Produce compelling proposals, donor briefings, and updates tailored to individual donor strategies.
- Plan and execute select cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship events.
Qualifications (Shared Across Both Roles)
- Bachelor’s degree and:
- MGO: At least three years of major gifts experience
- PLGO: At least five years of planned giving and/or major gifts experience
- Proven success in relationship management and frontline fundraising.
- Exceptional writing and communication abilities.
- Strong organization, judgment, follow-through, and accountability.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
- Interest or experience in conservation is a plus.
- Ability to travel and work occasional long or nonstandard hours.
How and where you will work:
Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, and other office equipment. Some offsite travel, primarily in Maine, is required.
MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, MDI, and Whiting Maine and the location of this position is flexible and could be in any of our offices. We have a hybrid work model with 2 office days and 3 home days.
To review the full job descriptions please follow these links:
Major Gifts Officer: https://mcht-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/rschuchert_mcht_org/IQCLfy...
Planned & Leadership Giving Officer: https://mcht-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/rschuchert_mcht_org/IQBVL-...
These are permanent, full-time positions with a benefits package including insurance, generous vacation and sick time, and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for both roles is $71,000 to $82,000 but is dependent upon experience.
To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Major Gifts Officer” and/or “Planned Giving Officer” in the subject line by January 18, 2026.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.