Major Gifts Officer
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
USD 105k-115k / year
Posted on Mar 9, 2026
Major Gifts Officer
Development Department
Reporting to: Chief Development Officer
Full-Time, Exempt
Location: New York, NY (1-2 days in office)
Salary Range: $105,000-$115,000
Kennedy Human Rights Center is seeking a Major Gift Officer (MGO) to lead our individual giving strategy as we enter a historic chapter. Inspired by the legacies of Senator Robert and Ethel Kennedy, we fight mass incarceration and serious human rights abuses in U.S. and Int'l criminal and immigration systems. By partnering globally, advancing social good business practices, and educating future changemakers, we drive systemic reform. Our Major Gift Officer would fuel this impact - building trusted donor relationships and securing transformative investments that turn justice into action.
As we approach the organization’s 60th anniversary in 2028, we are scaling our individual giving program to fuel bold human rights advocacy in the US and around the world. As a key member of our growing development team, the MGO will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with individual donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $10,000 and above.
Reporting to the CDO and working closely with the Institutional Fundraising Officer, the ideal candidate is a dynamic relationship-builder with a deep commitment to human rights, social justice, and adept at fundraising as a tool for systemic change. You thrive in collaborative environments, are confident managing up and across, and have experience navigating the priorities of diverse and engaged stakeholders - including high-profile board members and senior leaders.
Scope of Work:
This role builds on a strong foundation of committed donors and offers significant opportunity for growth.
- Expands our base of donors giving $10,000+
- Manages a pipeline of individuals capable of $100K–$1M transformational commitments
- Activates board members and senior leaders in confident, values-aligned solicitation
Responsibilities:
Strategic Portfolio Management
- Manage our current dynamic portfolio of major donors and 75-100 high-capacity prospects.
- Identify donors with significant upgrade potential and design thoughtful, research-driven strategies to move them toward six- and seven-figure investments.
- Develop individualized goals and multi-touch engagement plans rooted in relationship depth, not transaction volume.
- Confidently solicit gifts of $10,000+ with a clear pathway toward $100K+ commitments commitments.
- Conduct one-on-one meetings, small gatherings, and tailored cultivation experiences across NYC and beyond.
Upgrade Transformational Gifts
- Partner with leadership and our group of 40 board members to identify prospects capable of sudden and significant giving increases.
- Prepare compelling cases for support, briefing materials, and proposals aligned with donor values.
- Guide senior leaders in high-level solicitations and help close complex gifts.
Collaboration & Leadership
- Work cross-functionally with programs and communications to translate impact into compelling donor narratives.
- Align closely with institutional fundraising to coordinate strategies and avoid silos.
- Serve as a trusted thought partner to leadership on individual giving growth.
Systems & Accountability
- Utilize Salesforce for MOVES management and strategic tracking.
- Set clear revenue goals and provide regular progress reporting.
- Help strengthen systems as we scale.
A successful candidate must have the following skills and experiences:
- 5-7+ years of frontline major gifts fundraising experience.
- A track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $10,000+.
- Experience managing portfolios generating $100K–$1M+ annually, with demonstrated success upgrading donors.
- Strong CRM experience (Salesforce preferred).
- You are a relationship-driven fundraiser who understands both community-rooted philanthropy and high-net-worth dynamics.
- Experience working in or alongside NYC-based and/or international community organizations, advocacy groups, or movement-centered nonprofits strongly encouraged.
- Demonstrated ability to identify donors with large untapped capacity and move them toward transformational giving.
- Comfort engaging high-profile, influential, and values-driven stakeholders.
- Experience managing up - helping board members and executives become confident fundraisers.
- High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information;
- Innovative thinking, willingness to voice your opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential;
- Strong sense of teamwork that builds positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, and a willingness to help others;
- Comfort, experience, and commitment to inclusivity when working with colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
Preferred but not required qualifications:
- Experience in a start-up or growth-stage nonprofit environment is a plus;
- Professional or academic knowledge of human rights theory and practice;
- Proficient/fluent in a second language, Spanish is a plus;
Benefits and other Perks:
- Flexibility and independence to help manage your work and home life: Staff have the ability to work from home 3-4 days a week, working at least 1-2 days in the office.
- KHRC values your health: KHRC covers 100% of individual-only costs of our platinum medical, dental, vision benefits, and subsidizes the cost for dependent coverage.
- KHRC understands the importance of financial planning and saving:
- An automatic contribution of 7% of your salary after your first year of employment.
- A College Saveup/Loan PayDown program with an automatic $200/monthly contribution for any current loans or future loans.
- An automatic monthly cell phone & internet speed stipend of $125/monthly to offset any phone & internet expenses.
- Employees receive a $1,000 benefits card each calendar year to use at your discretion towards food and home & life purchases.
- KHRC values your growth: KHRC provides an annual $1,000 professional development stipend to all full-time staff to use towards any courses, conferences, or training that would further one's professional learning and development. As well as professional development days/hours to complete these courses.
- KHRC loves to celebrate human rights advocates and our hard work! We do so by hosting award ceremonies, galas, summer outings, holiday parties, potlucks, domestic and international staff retreats, and spur-of-the-moment social outings.
How to Apply:
- Submit your resume and cover letter to careers@rfkhumanrights.org with “Your Name + Major Gifts Officer” in the subject heading.
- In your cover letter please include how you heard about this role and why you’re interested in this position.
No phone calls please. KHRC will contact qualified candidates directly.
Kennedy Human Rights Center is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you're in need of an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process please contact us by emailing your request to hr@rfkhumanrights.org with the subj. line "Accommodation Request". Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud
- Having interviews in a more accessible location/format