โ mission and believe a better world is possible.
General Position Summary
Positioned within the High Impact Philanthropy department, the Major Gift team plays a critical role in securing flexible, unrestricted funding to support Mercy Corpsโ global programs. This role is responsible for expanding private sector support by cultivating, engaging, and soliciting high-net-worth individuals based in the Western United States.
The Major Gift Senior Advisor is a dynamic frontline fundraiser who will drive revenue growth by managing a portfolio of donors and prospects giving between $10,000 and $250,000. Geographically positioned in a key city (East Coast or Midwest preferred) the Major Gift Senior Advisor will serve as a relationship manager for a well-blended portfolio of current supporters and new prospects. The primary focus will be on retaining and upgrading current supporters through strategic, high-touch relationship building and engagement opportunities. The Senior Advisor will also collaborate with colleagues across the High Impact Philanthropy team to grow the donor pipeline and increase revenue across the region. Approximately 20% of the portfolio will be focused on new donor acquisition.
This role requires a strong ability to articulate Mercy Corpsโ global mission and build a compelling case for unrestricted giving. The Senior Advisor should be confident discussing a variety of giving vehiclesโincluding legacy giving, multi-year commitments, donor advised funds (DAFs), family and community foundations, and giving circles. The position calls for a high level of social acumen and the ability to move comfortably within the realm of high-net-worth individuals.
Essential Job Responsibilities
โข Lead and manage a regional portfolio of 80-150 individuals capable of giving between $10,000 and $250,000.
โข Cultivate, solicit and steward leadership gifts with a focus on flexible and unrestricted funding.
โข Deepen donor engagement and increase giving through exceptional relationship management and compelling cases for support.
โข Partner with the Director of Major Gifts on proactive prospect discovery, utilizing network mapping, research, engagements, and executive travel to grow the major gift pipeline within the United States.
โข Set annual goals and develop personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for assigned donors. Prioritize highly personalized touch points, including face-to-face meetings, tailored communications and programmatic engagement with Mercy Corps field teams.
โข Stay abreast of Mercy Corpsโ priorities and mission, as well as key issues and trends in the international aid and development community and effectively communicate these to donors and prospects.
- Lead and collaborate with a Senior Account Manager to strategize, accurately track, and measure progress toward financial goals and other KPIs.
Organizational Learning
โ As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to program participants
โ Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
โ Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
โ Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
โ Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director, Major Gifts
Works Directly With: All members of the High Impact Philanthropy and Resource Development teams.
Knowledge and Experience
โ 5+ years of experience in major gifts or private sector fundraising, with a strong track record of soliciting 5- and 6- figure gifts.
โ Ability to develop and implement targeted donor strategies in collaboration with colleagues, program staff, and executive leadership.
โ Demonstrated success in relationship building, donor engagement, and upgrading gifts.
โ Passion for Mercy Corpsโ mission, with a solid understanding of international development and humanitarian work. Experience in a global organization is a plus.
โ Excellent communication and presentation skills.
โ Strong interpersonal skillsโempathetic, humble, confident, and persuasive.
โ Excellent organizational skills, with sharp attention to detail and processes.
โ Results-driven, highly organized, and able to manage multiple priorities.
โ Comfortable using CRMs and databases.
โ A valid driverโs license, ability and willingness to travel as required.
Success Factors
Success in this role relies on strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust with high-net-worth individuals. The Senior Advisor must be a confident communicator and a thoughtful listener, able to craft compelling narratives and foster deep, long-term relationships. A collaborative spirit, adaptability, and a strategic mindset are key to navigating diverse donor interests and driving meaningful engagement across the region.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is remote base
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corpsโ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Team Efficiency and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment. Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated.We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.