Major Gifts Officer

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer supports the success of the $14M annual fund, raising gifts of $25,000 – $100,000+ from individuals, private foundations and corporations.

The Major Gifts Officer is expected to fundraise from a portfolio of existing donors and new business leads generated by staff and volunteers. Specific duties include:
• Cultivate, solicit and steward new and existing donors for annual fund gifts
• Develop and lead major gifts strategy during TDO’s season, harnessing donor events and other sponsorship opportunities to drive revenue results.
o Friends, Inner Circle, Crescendo and Orpheus Legacy Society Member Events – Salons, Insights, Backstage tours, Dress Rehearsals, Cast Parties, production sponsor and cast receptions, and performance day Inner Circle Lounge and Crescendo mixers; special OLS dinners and receptions (season), and others.
o Signature Events – Opening Night (fall) and OnStage Dinner (spring)
o Artistic Development Related Events – Vocal Competition Judges Luncheon and post-concert reception (spring); Women Conductors panel discussion and luncheon (fall and winter); post-Showcase Concert reception (winter); Titus Recital post-concert reception and dinner (winter)
o Production and Event Sponsorships.
o Opportunistic Events – specific recent examples include planning an onstage experience and catered dinner for a major donor, Pride pre-opera community reception.
• Work with the board Development Committee to develop leads and pursue introductions to start donor conversations
• Manage personal donor portfolio – moves management, goals and closing gifts and new memberships as applicable.
• Provide updates to database concerning financial forecast, donor interactions and research notes.
• Work nights and weekends during performance season and for other TDO events.
• Seek to diversify TDO’s donor base and intentionally work to ensure fundraising efforts progress The Dallas Opera’s commitment to equity and belonging.
• Other duties as requested.