Lambda Legal
Who We Are
Lambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Our clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC.
Major Gifts Officer Position: Major Gifts Officer Department: Development Office Location: New York, NY Work Type Designation: Hybrid Reports to: Regional Director Union Status: D4 Annual Salary Range: $90,494 – $140,375 annually (salary determined by years of relevant experience and geographic region) Travel: Up to 30% within the region (including evenings, weekends, and events) FLSA Status: Full-Time / Exempt Supervisory Responsibilities: None
What you’ll do The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) reports to the Regional Director and is primarily responsible for acquiring, cultivating, and soliciting assigned individual donors and prospects with potential to give $1,500 or more annually, with a heightened focus on individual giving and upgrading donors to Major Donor levels ($5,000+). The MGO will work to expand Lambda Legal’s Liberty Circle ($1,500+) Donor Program and volunteer activities in the assigned area/market and will also be responsible for managing relationships, communications, and individual giving plans with leadership donors and managing volunteer leadership committees in the assigned markets.
Major Donor Portfolio Management
Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors ($1,500+), focusing on upgrading Major Donor levels ($5,000+).
Develop and implement customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each donor, including personalized outreach and in-person meetings.
Acknowledge contributions and coordinate annual report recognition for gifts received from donors in the assigned portfolio, and work with national staff to coordinate input into grant proposals for local foundations and prospective foundation grantors.
Meet or exceed annual revenue goals for major gifts fundraising and meet key metrics for donor engagement and prospect development in service of these goals.
Handle administrative management of portfolios in the database (pull reports, donor and pledge entry, etc).
Identify via local networks and Lambda’s database major donor prospects, steward and solicit said prospects.
Donor Relationship Building
Attend events regularly to engage with donors and prospects.
Create personalized stewardship plans for major donors, with an eye on their annual giving, event giving, planned giving, and corporate connections.
Develop deep knowledge of donors’ interests, motivations, and giving capacity.
Serve as primary relationship manager for major donors and volunteer fundraising committees in the assigned markets.
Support and manage annual solicitation of donors in the assigned portfolio by the Chief Executive Officer, Board, NLC members, other key volunteers, and other Lambda Legal staff. This includes identifying and securing major donor prospect meetings for senior staff and organizational leadership.
Events Fundraising and Coordination
Work with Lambda Legal staff, Board, National Leadership Council (NLC) members and other volunteers to execute fundraising and cultivation events in assigned markets and additional ones, as determined, including leading fundraising efforts for major fundraising events in their markets.
Manage volunteer leadership committees and Leadership Donor fundraising plans, including identifying and securing event sponsorships (individual and firm/corporate), in assigned markets and others, as determined.
Provide support for regional events by coordinating and gathering necessary items from the office, assembling materials, and preparing attendee name tags to ensure a smooth and professional event experience.
Work with Lambda Legal staff to track, enter, and analyze event data within Major Gifts purview.
Collaborate in-office with the Regional Director and Office Manager/Regional Program Coordinator to strategize on donor engagement and coordinate logistics for upcoming events, ensuring alignment on donor needs and event execution.
Additional duties as assigned.
Who you are
3+ years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and experience coordinating fundraising events.
Experience soliciting and closing gifts.
Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build authentic, long-term relationships.
Experience engaging racially and gender diverse groups, volunteers, and boards, with knowledge of LGBTQ+ and/or philanthropic communities.
Flexible, adaptive, and collaborative work style; able to contribute to both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
Self‑directed and accountable, with the ability to thrive both independently and in highly collaborative team environments.
Strong organizational, time management, and critical thinking skills, with sharp attention to detail.
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications and Raiser's Edge (or similar CRM database).
Deep commitment to Lambda Legal’s mission and values, with high energy and passion for advancing equity and justice.
Nice‑to‑haves
Campaign and annual giving experience.
Experience soliciting and closing $5,000+ gifts.
Direct fundraising experience in a non‑profit setting, particularly in legal or political advocacy.
Experience planning and/or staffing LGBTQ+ fundraising efforts and events in the New York, NY or Northeastern markets.
Why Work at Lambda Legal You get to do meaningful, life‑changing work at a national level for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV. Lambda Legal also proudly offers competitive benefits for our team.
Medical benefits that begin on your start date.
Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date).
Short & Long‑Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date).
403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment).
Paid Time Off:
Paid Vacation (15 Days)
Sick Leave (12 Days)
Personal Leave (3 Days)
Religious Observance Leave (3 Days)
Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave
Floating Holiday (1 Day)
12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits.
Health Reimbursement Account.
Annual professional development funds.
$50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement.
Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Premium subscription to the Calm App.
Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non‑exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions).
Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.
Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV‑affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal 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 or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender‑diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.
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Major Gifts Officer Position: Major Gifts Officer Department: Development Office Location: New York, NY Work Type Designation: Hybrid Reports to: Regional Director Union Status: D4 Annual Salary Range: $90,494 – $140,375 annually (salary determined by years of relevant experience and geographic region) Travel: Up to 30% within the region (including evenings, weekends, and events) FLSA Status: Full-Time / Exempt Supervisory Responsibilities: None
What you’ll do The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) reports to the Regional Director and is primarily responsible for acquiring, cultivating, and soliciting assigned individual donors and prospects with potential to give $1,500 or more annually, with a heightened focus on individual giving and upgrading donors to Major Donor levels ($5,000+). The MGO will work to expand Lambda Legal’s Liberty Circle ($1,500+) Donor Program and volunteer activities in the assigned area/market and will also be responsible for managing relationships, communications, and individual giving plans with leadership donors and managing volunteer leadership committees in the assigned markets.
Major Donor Portfolio Management
Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors ($1,500+), focusing on upgrading Major Donor levels ($5,000+).
Develop and implement customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each donor, including personalized outreach and in-person meetings.
Acknowledge contributions and coordinate annual report recognition for gifts received from donors in the assigned portfolio, and work with national staff to coordinate input into grant proposals for local foundations and prospective foundation grantors.
Meet or exceed annual revenue goals for major gifts fundraising and meet key metrics for donor engagement and prospect development in service of these goals.
Handle administrative management of portfolios in the database (pull reports, donor and pledge entry, etc).
Identify via local networks and Lambda’s database major donor prospects, steward and solicit said prospects.
Donor Relationship Building
Attend events regularly to engage with donors and prospects.
Create personalized stewardship plans for major donors, with an eye on their annual giving, event giving, planned giving, and corporate connections.
Develop deep knowledge of donors’ interests, motivations, and giving capacity.
Serve as primary relationship manager for major donors and volunteer fundraising committees in the assigned markets.
Support and manage annual solicitation of donors in the assigned portfolio by the Chief Executive Officer, Board, NLC members, other key volunteers, and other Lambda Legal staff. This includes identifying and securing major donor prospect meetings for senior staff and organizational leadership.
Events Fundraising and Coordination
Work with Lambda Legal staff, Board, National Leadership Council (NLC) members and other volunteers to execute fundraising and cultivation events in assigned markets and additional ones, as determined, including leading fundraising efforts for major fundraising events in their markets.
Manage volunteer leadership committees and Leadership Donor fundraising plans, including identifying and securing event sponsorships (individual and firm/corporate), in assigned markets and others, as determined.
Provide support for regional events by coordinating and gathering necessary items from the office, assembling materials, and preparing attendee name tags to ensure a smooth and professional event experience.
Work with Lambda Legal staff to track, enter, and analyze event data within Major Gifts purview.
Collaborate in-office with the Regional Director and Office Manager/Regional Program Coordinator to strategize on donor engagement and coordinate logistics for upcoming events, ensuring alignment on donor needs and event execution.
Additional duties as assigned.
Who you are
3+ years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and experience coordinating fundraising events.
Experience soliciting and closing gifts.
Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build authentic, long-term relationships.
Experience engaging racially and gender diverse groups, volunteers, and boards, with knowledge of LGBTQ+ and/or philanthropic communities.
Flexible, adaptive, and collaborative work style; able to contribute to both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
Self‑directed and accountable, with the ability to thrive both independently and in highly collaborative team environments.
Strong organizational, time management, and critical thinking skills, with sharp attention to detail.
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications and Raiser's Edge (or similar CRM database).
Deep commitment to Lambda Legal’s mission and values, with high energy and passion for advancing equity and justice.
Nice‑to‑haves
Campaign and annual giving experience.
Experience soliciting and closing $5,000+ gifts.
Direct fundraising experience in a non‑profit setting, particularly in legal or political advocacy.
Experience planning and/or staffing LGBTQ+ fundraising efforts and events in the New York, NY or Northeastern markets.
Why Work at Lambda Legal You get to do meaningful, life‑changing work at a national level for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV. Lambda Legal also proudly offers competitive benefits for our team.
Medical benefits that begin on your start date.
Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date).
Short & Long‑Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date).
403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment).
Paid Time Off:
Paid Vacation (15 Days)
Sick Leave (12 Days)
Personal Leave (3 Days)
Religious Observance Leave (3 Days)
Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave
Floating Holiday (1 Day)
12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits.
Health Reimbursement Account.
Annual professional development funds.
$50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement.
Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Premium subscription to the Calm App.
Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non‑exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions).
Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.
Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV‑affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal 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 or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender‑diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr