Major Gifts Officer
| Organization | Sustainable Northwest.org |
| Date Posted | October 21, 2026 |
| City | Seattle |
| State | Washington |
| Location | 100% Remote |
| Type of Position | Full-Time |
| Primary Job Function | Fundraising |
| Secondary Job Function | Executive Leadership |
| Educational Requirement | Other |
| Experience Requirement | 5-10 years |
| Salary Range | $100,000 – $115,000 annually |
Description & Details
POSITION TITLE: Major Gifts Officer
LOCATION: Remote from Seattle Metro, Washington
ORGANIZATION: Sustainable Northwest
REPORTS TO: President
SALARY: $100,000 - $115,000 annual starting salary, commensurate with experience
BENEFITS: Sustainable Northwest offers a generous benefits package
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time Exempt, 35-hour work week
PREFERRED START DATE: Flexible
ABOUT SUSTAINABLE NORTHWEST
Sustainable Northwest forges natural resource solutions that are good for nature, people, and local economies. We partner with rural communities and Tribal Nations throughout the Northwest on projects that promote smart water use, clean energy, and healthy forests, farms, and ranches.
Our solutions are as unique as the problems we solve and include entrepreneurship, policy, market innovations, public or private investment, collaboration, and technical assistance – but the ultimate success of our work is based on relationships, trust, and inclusion.
Sustainable Northwest was founded in 1994 to forge collaborative solutions for conserving forest and community health. Today, our challenges have multiplied with climate change, catastrophic wildfires, and persistent drought plaguing our region. Yet we remain optimistic that nature, people, and local economies can thrive together.
BENEFITS
Sustainable Northwest offers a generous benefits package supporting employee wellness with medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; three to six weeks PTO (dependent on length of tenure), sick time, 11 federal holidays, and additional paid leave during year-end office closure December 26-31; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions; cell phone stipend; pre-tax spending plan for medical and/or dependent care; support for professional training; and flexible daily and weekly work schedules.
Support, accommodation, and funding will be provided for regular travel to the Portland office for in-person engagement, to coordinate with team and staff, and to ensure alignment with organizational mission and priorities.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Sustainable Northwest is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Major Gifts Officer to grow its fundraising program. This is a high-impact role for a seasoned fundraising professional who thrives on building relationships, crafting compelling cases for support, and closing unrestricted gifts. Our role requires a high degree of independence and personal initiative. Based in the Seattle metro area, this role is ideal for someone who is genuinely self-motivated and self-directed – someone who sets their own pace, builds their own pipeline, and brings both strategic vision and hands-on execution to the work of philanthropy and conservation in the Pacific Northwest.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :
Major Gifts and Individual Donor Relationships (80%)
- Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, focusing on gifts of $50,000 and above
- Identify, research, and qualify prospective donors aligned with SNW’s mission
- Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each donor
- Secure significant unrestricted gifts through authentic, long-term donor relationships
- Partner with the President and Board to identify prospects, facilitate introductions, and leverage their networks
- Develop compelling cases for support in collaboration with program and communications staff
- Represent SNW at donor events and networking opportunities across the King County and Puget Sound region, with occasional travel to other parts of Washington and Oregon
Corporate Partnerships and Development Team Collaboration (20%)
- Collaborate with the President, Development Manager, and program staff to identify and cultivate corporate philanthropic opportunities
- Contribute to corporate partnership proposals and sponsorship packages aligned with SNW’s mission
- Create meaningful engagement opportunities for donors and corporate partners including site visits, events, and impact storytelling
- Maintain accurate donor records and track cultivation and solicitation activity in the donor database
- Travel to the Portland office at least quarterly for in-person team coordination
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience with a proven track record of personally soliciting and closing five- and six-figure unrestricted gifts
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with high net-worth individuals and corporate executives
- Highly self-directed and entrepreneurial; able to manage a complex portfolio with minimal supervision
- Experience developing moves management plans and donor engagement strategies
- Ability to coach and activate a Board of Directors as active solicitors
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Passion for or experience in conservation, natural resources, environment, or working lands
- Proficiency with donor database systems and data-driven strategy
- Experience in a comprehensive growth campaign
- Familiarity with planned giving and complex gift vehicles
- Proficiency using generative AI for prospect research and wealth screening
PLEASE NOTE
The skills and experience listed above are what we believe is necessary to succeed in this position. However, we encourage all interested applicants to apply even if your skills are not a match with all requested qualifications. Please, underscore applicable skills unique to you in your cover letter.
Sustainable Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race or ethnicity, national origin; gender, gender identity or sexual orientation; religion or creed; age, ability, or other legally protected status.
Application Instructions
TO APPLY
To apply, please email a single PDF cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (e.g., a donor proposal or case for support) with “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line to: Dassi Owens, dowens@sustainablenorthwest.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled.
The interview process will include 1-2 virtual interviews and one in-person interview at our Portland headquarters. Interview questions will be provided in advance. Reimbursement available for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred during final in-person interviews.
References will be requested of finalist candidates.