Application Guide

How to Apply for Major Gifts Officer

at The Share Trust

🏢 About The Share Trust

The Share Trust is a unique nonprofit that champions locally-led development by shifting power, processes, and funding directly to community actors. If you're passionate about decolonizing aid and want to work for an organization that puts evidence and equity at the center of its mission, this is a compelling place to build your career.

About This Role

As Major Gifts Officer, you'll manage a portfolio of 50–75 high-value donors and prospects, crafting personalized strategies to secure gifts of $10,000+. You'll also lead the fundraising salon program—an intimate event series that builds deep donor relationships—making this role both strategic and hands-on in driving transformational support for locally-led solutions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start by reviewing your portfolio in Raiser's Edge NXT to plan follow-ups with donors. You'll draft a personalized proposal for a family foundation, then coordinate logistics for an upcoming salon event, including guest list curation and speaker briefings. Afternoon calls could include a stewardship call with a long-time donor and a discovery conversation with a new prospect identified through research.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who The Share Trust Is Looking For

  • You have 5–8 years of fundraising experience with a proven track record of closing $10k+ gifts; you can share specific examples of moves management and solicitation success.
  • You are an exceptional writer who can produce polished, compelling proposals and case statements that resonate with high-net-worth individuals and family foundations.
  • You have planned and executed donor cultivation events, especially intimate salons or house parties, and understand how to translate event engagement into long-term donor commitment.
  • You are proficient in CRM systems (Raiser's Edge NXT preferred) and use data to track moves and identify new major gift prospects.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Share Trust

1

Tailor your resume to highlight quantifiable major gift results (e.g., 'Managed 60-donor portfolio, closed $500k+ in gifts annually').

2

In your cover letter, reference The Share Trust's mission of shifting power to local actors and connect it to why you're drawn to this role.

3

Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to craft a persuasive donor proposal—ideally one related to international development or community-led work.

4

If you have experience with fundraising salons or similar events, describe your role in logistics, guest curation, and follow-up strategies.

5

Research the organization's current campaigns and evidence base (e.g., their work in Ukraine or Liberia) so you can speak knowledgeably about their impact.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your commitment to locally-led development and how your fundraising experience aligns with shifting power to communities.', 'Highlight your track record of closing major gifts and your strategic approach to moves management.', 'Showcase your event planning skills, especially for intimate donor gatherings, and explain how you cultivate long-term relationships through such events.', "Demonstrate your writing ability by referencing specific proposals or communications you've crafted that led to successful gifts."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read The Share Trust's website and key reports, especially their evidence base on locally-led development and any recent impact stories.
  • → Look into their fundraising salon program—if details are public, understand the format and past participants.
  • → Review their blog or news section for recent major gifts or donor engagement initiatives.
  • → Understand the broader context of 'shifting the power' in international development and how The Share Trust differentiates itself from traditional aid organizations.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you approach developing individualized cultivation strategies for high-net-worth donors? Walk us through a recent example.
2 Describe a time you planned and executed a donor cultivation event. What was the outcome and how did you follow up?
3 How do you use CRM data to identify new major gift prospects and manage your portfolio?
4 What is your understanding of The Share Trust's model of shifting power to local actors? How would you communicate this to potential donors?
5 Tell us about a time you had to pivot a donor relationship or solicitation strategy. What did you learn?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't use generic fundraising language; avoid phrases like 'passionate about the mission' without connecting it to their specific approach of locally-led development.
  • Don't ignore the requirement for event planning experience—if you lack it, address how your skills translate or gain relevant experience before applying.
  • Don't submit a generic cover letter. Failing to mention The Share Trust's unique model or your specific alignment with their values will signal a lack of interest.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Share Trust!

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