Overview

Department: Development Location: Hybrid; Minneapolis Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Reports To: Vice President of Development Direct Reports: Director of Individual Giving Special Olympics Minnesota is part of a global movement creating a more inclusive world through year-round sports training, competition, health, leadership, and community programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Through these programs, athletes build confidence, strengthen community connections, and help advance a culture of acceptance, respect, and inclusion across Minnesota.The Major Gifts Officer expands Special Olympics Minnesota's capacity to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors while also researching and advancing aligned public funding opportunities. This position builds and manages a portfolio of current donors and prospective supporters capable of five- and six-figure gifts, strengthens donor relationships, supports leadership in strategic solicitations, and develops a disciplined approach to public-sector funding opportunities. This role is designed to grow and diversify revenue, improve movement through the major gift pipeline, and create new funding pathways that support long-term sustainability, expanded reach, and mission impact. The position will balance major gifts and public funding responsibilities in a way that reflects organizational priorities, funding opportunities, and Development team needs. Key Responsibilities Major Gifts and Donor Portfolio Management Build, qualify, and manage a prioritized portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects with five- and six-figure giving potential. Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies based on donor interests, capacity, engagement, and relationship history. Conduct meaningful donor outreach and meetings that move relationships through a structured fundraising pipeline. Prepare and make direct major gift solicitations independently and in partnership with organizational leadership, board members, volunteers, and other key stakeholders. Create compelling proposals, cases for support, briefing materials, donor communications, and other materials connected to major gift activity. Identify opportunities to retain, renew, and upgrade current donors to higher levels of support. Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, next steps, portfolio stages, and revenue projections in the organization's CRM or donor database. Support donor-focused events, including gala-related engagement, small hosted gatherings, and other cultivation or stewardship opportunities. Partner with leadership to prepare for key donor meetings and ensure timely, personalized follow-up and stewardship. Public Funding Development Research, monitor, and assess government and other public funding opportunities that align with the organization's mission, strategic priorities, capacity, and program needs. Build and maintain relationships with public officials, agency contacts, community partners, and other stakeholders connected to potential public funding. Coordinate internal assessment of promising opportunities with program, finance, and leadership staff to confirm strategic fit, operational feasibility, compliance expectations, and reporting capacity. Coordinate public funding applications and partnership opportunities when appropriate, including required writing and supporting documentation. Manage relevant stewardship, reporting, and relationship follow-up connected to public funding secured or advanced through this role. Develop a repeatable internal process for tracking, evaluating, prioritizing, and pursuing public funding opportunities. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Accountability Collaborate across departments to connect fundraising opportunities with program outcomes and organizational priorities. Maintain clear portfolio ownership, communication, and coordination so the role complements existing individual giving,