Major Gifts Officer in Providence, Rhode Island at Providence Public Library

Providence Public Library (PPL) is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Major Gifts Officer to join our Advancement and Communications team. Reporting to the Executive Director/CEO, the Major Gifts Officer will serve as a frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and prospects capable of making significant philanthropic investments in PPL. This position will play a central role in Read. Think. Decide., PPL’s $8 million Endowment Campaign, while building a strong and sustainable pipeline of major gift donors to support the Library’s long-term philanthropic priorities. The ideal candidate is a confident and collaborative fundraiser with a demonstrated track record of personally cultivating relationships and securing five-and six-figure+ gifts. This role is well suited for someone who enjoys building meaningful donor relationships, making direct solicitations, developing individualized fundraising strategies, and working closely with organizational leadership, Trustees, volunteers, and community supporters to advance PPL’s mission. The Major Gifts Officer is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week position based in Providence, Rhode Island, with some local travel and occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

The Major Gifts Officer is a frontline fundraising position responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and prospects capable of making significant philanthropic investments in Providence Public Library. The Major Gifts Officer will play a central role in the successful execution of Read. Think. Decide., PPL's $8 million Endowment Campaign, while building and managing a strong pipeline of major gift prospects that will support the Library's long-term philanthropic goals. This is a direct fundraising position whose primary responsibility is to develop donor relationships and secure philanthropic support for PPL.

The key objectives for this position are to:

Build and manage a strong portfolio and pipeline of qualified major gift prospects and donors.

Serve as a principal frontline fundraiser for PPL's Read. Think. Decide. Endowment Campaign.

Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making significant gifts to PPL.

Meet established performance goals for donor visits, solicitations, gifts closed, dollars raised, and portfolio movement.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Fundraising - 80%

Build and manage an active portfolio of qualified major gift prospects and donors.

Personally identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, with an emphasis on five- and six-figure+ gifts.

Develop and execute individualized moves-management strategies designed to move prospects toward solicitation and increased philanthropic support.

Conduct regular face-to-face donor and prospect visits and maintain an active schedule of meaningful donor interactions.

Make direct solicitations and close major gifts in support of PPL's priorities.

Build PPL's major-gift pipeline through prospect identification, qualification, research, referrals, and engagement.

Develop strategies to move qualified annual and mid-level donors into major-gift relationships.

Prepare compelling proposals, correspondence, and other donor-specific materials.

Identify planned-giving opportunities when appropriate within assigned donor relationships and coordinate those opportunities with Library leadership.

Maintain complete and timely records of donor contacts, strategies, solicitations, and next steps in Raiser’s Edge (RE).

Establish and meet annual performance goals for donor visits, solicitations, gifts closed, dollars raised, and portfolio movement.

Perform administrative responsibilities directly associated with managing the major gifts portfolio and fundraising program.

Read. Think. Decide. Endowment Campaign - 20%

Manage a portfolio of campaign prospects through all stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospective campaign donors.

Conduct substantive donor meetings and directly solicit gifts and multi-year commitments in support of the campaign.

Match donor interests with campaign priorities and appropriate giving opportunities.

Prepare personalized proposals, gift requests, donor correspondence, briefing materials, and other materials necessary to advance solicitations.

Work closely with the Executive Director/CEO, campaign leadership, Trustees, volunteers, and fundraising counsel to coordinate prospect strategies and solicitations.

Identify opportunities for outright, endowed, multi-year, and planned gifts in support of campaign priorities.

Maintain accurate and timely prospect activity, moves management, gift information, and next steps in RE.

Participate in campaign-related cultivation and stewardship activities when they directly advance assigned prospects or campaign fundraising objectives.

Assist with campaign administration, reporting, prospect tracking, and other activities necessary to successfully execute the campaign.

Read. Think. Decide. is a time-limited campaign initiative. At the conclusion of the campaign, responsibilities currently dedicated to campaign fundraising will transition to PPL's ongoing major gifts and philanthropic priorities. The Major Gifts Officer will remain focused primarily on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects.

Additional Skills:

Superb interpersonal/relationship-building skills.

High degree of integrity and professionalism, respecting confidentiality of donor information and relationships.

Proven track record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing five- and six-figure+ gifts from individual donors; campaign or endowment fundraising experience strongly preferred.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.

Excellent attention to detail and strong project management skills.

Comfortable working with various technologies (i.e. Google Docs/Drive, Google Meet, RE, Zoom).

Self-motivated and goal driven.

Interact professionally with other employees, patrons, and suppliers.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team;

Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.

Ability to build trust-based relationships with a variety of constituents, including donors and prospective donors, corporate funders, Trustees, volunteers, community stakeholders, patrons, and staff.

Proven knowledge of development/fundraising best practices and solicitation techniques;

Proven ability to create, build, maintain, and grow professional relationships;

Successful track record in meeting fundraising goals;

Experience preparing compelling donor proposals, solicitation materials, and correspondence;

Ability to understand and communicate philanthropic funding opportunities, including endowment and planned giving;

Proficiency with RE and disciplined use of moves management and prospect tracking; general understanding of iWave and Google applications is a plus;

Flexibility to attend evening and weekend events, as necessary

Check email daily and respond to emails in a timely manner.

Support and practice PPL’s stated values and demonstrate and share PPL’s commitment to being an all inclusive organization, including full participation in the implementation of PPL’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Cultivate practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization that serves the public and each other.

Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Required:

A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience is required; significant experience in frontline major gifts fundraising is strongly preferred.

Google applications (Gmail, Meet, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) and other various Google applications experience required.

Knowledge of Zoom, Google Meet or other web-conferencing software or applications.

Additional Requirements:

Driving/Travel requirements –15-20%

Position Location – Providence, RI

Physical requirements – ability to occasionally lift/move up to 25 lbs.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, provided such changes are consistent with applicable law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Job Posting Requirements

This position is: Exempt and is not part of the Union

Hours: 35 hours per week, variable hours based on Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm. Flexibility is expected for special events, etc. Work from home opportunities to be evaluated after 6 months of employment.

Salary Range: $90,000-110,000/year with up to 5% negotiation flexibility from point of offer

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

The Library offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a group health, dental, and vision plans with an HRA that covers 95% of the health insurance deductible. If you don’t need insurance, you can opt for a monthly stipend instead. The package also includes fully paid life insurance (up to $50,000) and long-term disability coverage, as well as a generous amount of paid time off, starting with 22 days (4 weeks and 2 days) annually. Additionally, the Library provides a retirement plan with both Traditional and Roth options, offering a 5.5% company match and 100% vesting from the moment you're hired.

COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED

Please submit a cover letter and resume by October 23, 2026 via this link.

Job Link: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=d9c524df-ce0d-44eb-b267-6f5b032ead29&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=568364&source=CC2&lang=en_US

About the hiring process: Application will be open until the position is filled. The interview process includes: application submission review, recruiter phone screen (only if qualified after application review), 1-2 panel interviews (that may include a presentation or preparation) and reference checks (approximately a 2-5 week process).

Posting Date: October 7, 2026 – open until filled with preference to those who submit before the August 16 application deadline.

At Providence Public Library (PPL), we believe libraries are more than buildings—they are welcoming community spaces that inspire learning, creativity, and connection. Every member of our team plays an important role in helping Rhode Islanders engage, learn, and thrive.

When you join PPL, you'll become part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization that values innovation, equity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. We encourage new ideas, support professional growth, and strive to create an inclusive workplace where employees feel empowered to make a meaningful impact.

• Flexible scheduling for many positions to support work-life balance, based on operational needs.

• A unique workplace in our beautifully restored historic library located in the heart of downtown Providence.

• Comprehensive benefits, including:

  Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that covers 95% of the health insurance deductible

• A 403(b) retirement plan with a 5.5% employer match and immediate vesting

Paid life insurance and long-term disability coverage

Generous paid time off and paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional development and continuing education opportunities

Providence Public Library inspires Rhode Islanders to be lifelong learners by engaging their curiosity and offering access to extraordinary experiences, resources, and ideas.

Engage. Learn. Thrive.

Providence Public Library is committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued. We embrace diversity in all its forms and believe that varied experiences and perspectives strengthen our organization and the communities we serve. We strive to create an accessible, equitable, and inclusive environment where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive.

Providence Public Library is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.