Major Gifts Officer

About The Family and Youth Institute

The Family & Youth Institute (The FYI) is a national 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to research and education for the well-being of Muslim Americans. Through community-centered research, solution-seeking, and education, we aim to reshape narratives within the Muslim community and broader societal systems to foster mental health and well-being. Rapidly growing, especially in response to increased demand for our research and community education offerings, The FYI envisions a world where every person, family, and community not only survives but flourishes, evolving together for a brighter future.

More about The FYI can be found on its website, accessible at www.TheFYI.org.

The Role

The FYI is looking for an accomplished Major Gifts Officer driven by a profound passion to advance Muslim mental health and family wellness through impactful development initiatives. Collaborating closely with our dedicated board members and visionary staff leaders, the Major Gifts Officer will play a pivotal role in nurturing relationships with key donors, ensuring the enduring financial strength and sustainability of our organization.

Reporting to the Executive Director and supervising the Digital Development Associate, the Major Gifts Officer will have a pivotal role in fundraising for the organization. The goal of the position is to advance the organization’s mission by amplifying The FYI’s primary fundraising channels to secure major gifts. The Major Gifts Officer has the mission to expand annual fundraising outcomes, with a goal to secure $500,000 – $700,000 annually and to implement an overall growth escalation plan for the organization’s $ 1.2 million budget year over year. 

Join us in the noble pursuit of fostering mental well-being and familial harmony within the Muslim community.

Impact Areas 

The Major Gifts Officer leads The FYI’s extensive development program, with a special emphasis placed on major gifts from individual donors at $10,000 and above.

Fundraising Strategy

• Participate actively in all phases of the donor pipeline: identification, research-based qualification, cultivation, briefing, support request, follow-up, stewardship, and recognition.
• Lead fundraising during Ramadan, private fundraising events, and an annual fundraising gala by managing logistics, coordination, and post-event follow-up.
• Develop and implement strategies to re-engage and cultivate relationships with dormant or lapsed donors.

Major Gifts 

• Steward major gifts in the amount of $10,000 and above.
• Nurture donors, effectively moving them from one giving level to higher tiers through personalized cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Cultivate and broaden relationships with major gift donors through donor engagement, direct solicitations, donor receptions, in-person visits, and regular communication.
• Travel 1 to 2 times per month for donor visits. 

Donor Database Management

• Establish and oversee a donor database, meticulously tracking data, communication, and interactions.
• Utilize mining techniques to identify and prioritize existing donors with the capacity for major gifts.
• Ensure the accuracy and currency of the donor database, monitoring contributions and touchpoints.
• Generate monthly reports to assess and monitor major gift fundraising metrics.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with the marketing and communication team to create compelling materials conveying the organization’s mission and impact.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as requested by the Executive Director.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience in Muslim-based philanthropy and knowledge of the Muslim community funder landscape are required
• Over 5 years of major gifts experience, preferably within Muslim nonprofits
• A proven track record of successfully securing major gifts of $10,000 or more is required
• Experience with planned giving preferred 
• Bachelor’s degree and development certification (CFRE) preferred
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and networking skills
• Project management skills, multitasking ability, and keen attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with ethical fundraising practices and compliance with relevant regulations
• Familiarity with fundraising software, specific experience with NEON a plus
• Direct experience in proposal preparation and conducting major gift solicitations
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including weekends, evenings, and pre-planned overnight travel for donor visits 1 to 2 per month
• Ability to thrive in both independent and team-based work, effectively collaborating with diverse constituencies

Location and Compensation

• This is a work-from-home position based in the U.S., with 25% travel. 
• The salary for this position is between $70,000 – $90,000.
• 3 weeks of paid time off
• 10 paid company holidays
• Flexible work schedule
• 4 weeks of paid parental leave 
• 3 days paid for bereavement

How to Apply

The Family & Youth Institute has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Ranata Reeder at ranata@charitysearchgroup.com ​or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com.

The Family & Youth Institute is committed to providing employees with an environment of mutual respect in which the values of diversity, safety, continuous improvement, and hard work are supported and encouraged. We work diligently to engender fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness, and teamwork to advance our mission.