Major Gifts Officer in Napa, California at Mentis

Job Title: Major Gifts Officer

Department: Development

Reports to: Rob Weiss, Executive Director

Employment Type: Part time- 15-25 hours/week

Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a contract role centered on building and deepening authentic, lasting relationships with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and major donors who are aligned with Mentis' mission. This is a relationship-first, donor-facing role — not a traditional development position. Success is measured by the quality of donor relationships cultivated and the meaningful philanthropic investments they inspire. This person will also continue to deepen relationships with existing agency donors.

The ideal candidate is a natural connector who thrives in one-on-one conversations with philanthropically-minded individuals, listens deeply, stewards trust over time, and can compellingly articulate the human impact of Mentis' programs.

Role Type

Classification: Part-Time Employee or Independent Contractor

Hours: Approximately 15–25 hours per week (flexible, based on portfolio demands)

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate or project-based retainer, commensurate with experience

Location: Hybrid/Remote with local in-person donor meetings and events as needed (Napa, CA area preferred)

This position reports to the Executive Director of the organization

Duties and Responsibilities:

Major Donor Cultivation & High-Net-Worth Individual Engagement

· Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, cultivating relationships from identification through long-term stewardship[RW1]

· Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, site visits, and personalized outreach to deepen donor connection to Mentis' mission

· Develop individualized donor cultivation plans that reflect each donor's interests, capacity, and philanthropic goals

· Make direct, confident asks for significant gifts ($5,000+) aligned with Mentis' funding priorities

· Solicit and close five- and six-figure gifts in support of organizational goals

· Create meaningful donor recognition and stewardship experiences that reinforce long-term loyalty and generosity

· Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship, including personalized impact reporting and follow-up

Prospect Identification & Research

· Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, community engagement, and networking

· Work with leadership and development staff to analyze giving capacity, philanthropic affinity, and mission alignment

· Leverage community connections and civic relationships to expand Mentis' donor pipeline

Relationship Building & Strategic Networking

· Represent Mentis at fundraising events, community convenings, and networking opportunities — with a focus on engaging philanthropic communities and HNWIs

· Partner with executive leadership and board members to engage organizational ambassadors in donor cultivation efforts

· Develop and steward relationships with businesses, community leaders, and civic partners that enhance Mentis' visibility and credibility

Mission Storytelling & Donor Engagement

· Collaborate with program staff to understand community needs and agency programs in order to translate them into compelling, donor-facing narratives and funding priorities

· Connect donors' personal values and philanthropic interests to the real human impact of Mentis' programs

· Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement through events, impact storytelling, and mission-aligned experiences

Data, Reporting & CRM Management

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records, contact reports, and relationship notes in the CRM database

· Track portfolio activity, pipeline progress, and revenue forecasts

· Prepare periodic reports on fundraising performance and donor engagement for leadership

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

· 3–7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a demonstrated focus on major gifts

· Proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts

· Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills

· Ability to build trust, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive donor relationships

· Experience with donor databases/CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar)

· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a flexible, part-time structure

· Commitment to Mentis' mission and values-driven work

Preferred Skills & Attributes

· Strategic and analytical thinker with strong organizational skills

· Self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities

· Genuine passion for mental health, youth wellness, and community impact

· Comfort with occasional evenings or weekend events as needed

· Familiarity with the Napa Valley philanthropic community is a plus

California Pay Transparency Disclaimer: This is a nonexempt position. The pay range for this position is $50.00-60.00/hour. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

This is a part-time position (15-25 hours a week).

Benefits for our part-time employees include the following:

· Earn up to 10 sick days per year based on hours worked

· Employee Assistance Program

Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@mentisnapa.org telling us why you are interested in working in community mental health.

Mentis is an equal opportunity employer who does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

· 3–7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a demonstrated focus on major gifts

· Proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts

· Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills

· Ability to build trust, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive donor relationships

· Experience with donor databases/CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar)

· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a flexible, part-time structure

· Commitment to Mentis' mission and values-driven work

Preferred Skills & Attributes

· Strategic and analytical thinker with strong organizational skills

· Self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities

· Genuine passion for mental health, youth wellness, and community impact

· Comfort with occasional evenings or weekend events as needed

· Familiarity with the Napa Valley philanthropic community is a plus