Major Gifts Officer

Position description

Protect Democracy seeks multiple thoughtful, detail-oriented fundraisers to join our growing Partnerships team as Major Gifts Officers. This is a unique opportunity for a talented early-to-mid-career fundraising professional looking to expand their skill set and make an impact in the movement to protect our democracy. We are looking to hire at least two Major Gifts Officers.

Protect Democracy formed in late 2016, recognizing that the global wave of authoritarianism had begun to erode American shores. We have since assembled a team of 120+ experts who have served under Democrats and Republicans and in the senior ranks of other nonprofit, political, or media organizations. Our team includes lawyers, policy experts, legislative advocates, media strategists, writers, data analysts, and software developers. We deploy litigation, legislative and communications strategies, technology, research, and analysis to stand up for free and fair elections, the rule of law, fact-based debate, and a better democracy for future generations. For this work, our team received a Skoll Award for Social Innovation and a MacArthur Fellowship.

In this role, you’d directly contribute to these efforts as a key player in a small, collaborative, highly effective team. Our approach to fundraising involves building deep, long-term, trusting relationships with donors, whom we see and engage with as key partners in the broader democracy ecosystem. Our team has been remarkably effective to date at raising unrestricted general operating funds and building a solid financial runway that allows us to hire exceptional talent and to launch effective interventions, from bringing 150+ legal actions to crafting and enacting critical federal and state legislation to innovating creative solutions like VoteShield, which monitors and protects 160 million public voter records across 25 states. The Major Gifts Officer will directly manage a portfolio of 50–100 major donors and prospects, help shape and scale our fundraising infrastructure, and level up our internal fundraising systems.

This is a remote position based in the United States.

The priority deadline to apply for this role is July 20, 2025; we will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis. If you meet most but not all of the criteria listed below and believe you’d be a great fit for the role and could grow into it, we encourage you to apply.

The Major Gifts Officer will:

• Manage a portfolio of about 50-100 major gift partners — both institutional funders and high net worth individuals — handling day-to-day communications, gift renewals, and customized cultivation plans;
• Assemble high-quality materials and communications that reflect Protect Democracy’s voice and mission, including grant proposals, reports, and donor correspondence;
• Represent Protect Democracy in external meetings with donors and trusted intermediaries;
• Conduct prospect research to identify new high-capacity individuals and institutions aligned with our mission;
• Collaborate with the partnerships team to set and track ambitious fundraising goals, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records;
• Plan and execute small, high-touch donor events, such as in-person salons, virtual briefings, and conference calls, including by collaborating with and preparing the Executive Director and other senior leaders;
• Independently seek opportunities to build and improve on Protect Democracy’s fundraising operations by closely examining needs, assessing possible solutions, and making concise recommendations;
• Contribute to Protect Democracy’s impact work and culture.

The ideal candidate brings:

• Four or more years of professional experience, including experience managing institutional and/or high net worth individual donor relationships;
• Demonstrated comfort and experience with identifying, cultivating, stewarding, closing, and renewing 5-6 figure gift opportunities;
• Proficiency with fundraising tools and CRMs and a desire to help our team use data and automation more effectively;
• Ability to correspond persuasively and authentically with key stakeholders;
• A solid understanding of the political and philanthropic landscape;
• Excellent judgment, time management, and follow-through;
• A growth mindset and collaborative orientation, including enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback.
• A nuanced understanding of our country’s political landscape, the authoritarian threat, and the reality that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color;
• Unfettered enthusiasm for Protect Democracy’s cross-ideological and nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy.

At Protect Democracy, we believe that diversity isn’t just a strength — it’s a necessity for tackling the complex challenges facing democracy. A broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. If you meet most but not all of the criteria listed below but believe nonetheless you’d be a stellar match for the role and could grow into it, we want to hear from you.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this role is $84,300-$94,000, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities, and skills, and in alignment with internal equity.

About Protect Democracy

• Flexible location*. We are a remote-first organization based exclusively in the United States, meaning our staff work within the U.S. and primarily virtually. We also offer shared workspaces for those who enjoy working in an office environment. We are established for remote work in many states across the country, and while candidates based anywhere in the U.S. are welcome to apply, we may not be able to offer employment in your current location. If you proceed in the hiring process, we will discuss where you currently live and what is possible in our initial interview. All staff are also required to travel at least two times per year to team retreats, as well as occasional project-related travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.)
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
• Phenomenal benefits. Our benefits package includes generous sick leave and a flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take 4-5 weeks every year, along with 12 paid holidays, 6 weeks of paid family and medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, and a home office stipend.
• Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.

The priority deadline to apply for this role is July 20: applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. You will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter, and answer a short questionnaire. In your cover letter, please address your interest in Protect Democracy’s mission and any relevant experience you would bring to the role. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed.

Application instructions

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