Exempt, Full-time 40 hours per week
Starting at $58,000-68,000/year/DOE

How does this position make an impact on the community?
Our development work directly sustains life-changing and life-saving programs. Philanthropy is central to advancing our mission and ensuring long-term stability for the people we serve.

The Senior Philanthropy Officer is a senior-level fundraising professional responsible for leading YWCA Missoula’s major and principal gifts program. This role manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding transformational philanthropic support.

This position serves as a key external representative of YWCA Missoula and works closely with the Development Director, Executive Director, and Board leadership to advance major gift strategy and deepen donor relationships.

The ideal candidate:

Is passionate about the mission of the YWCA and:

• Exhibits energy and enthusiasm for the work and the community.
• Provides culturally responsive, anti-oppressive services.
• Understands domestic and sexual violence issues and the impact of trauma on survivors.

Position Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospects.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for high-capacity donors
• Develop individualized engagement plans to move donors through the full giving cycle.
• Personally solicit major and transformational gifts in partnership with organizational leadership.
• Maintain consistent, meaningful stewardship with top donors.
• Provide strategic guidance on major donor prospects to organizational leadership.
• Collaborate with the Development Director and Executive Director on donor strategy.
• Support board members and volunteers in donor engagement and solicitation efforts.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with major donors and philanthropic partners.
• Serve as a trusted external representative of YWCA Missoula.
• Conduct donor visits, cultivation meetings, and stewardship interactions.
• Represent YWCA Missoula at donor meetings, events, and community functions.
• Lead high-level donor engagement opportunities, including facility tours and cultivation experiences.
• Participate in signature fundraising events such as the Justice Benefit Luncheon, Supporter Appreciation Event, and Annual Meeting.
• Work closely with the Development Director to align major gift activity with overall fundraising strategy.
• Collaborate with staff across departments to support donor engagement and storytelling.
• Contribute to strengthening the donor pipeline and advancement strategy.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in nonprofit human services or advocacy organizations.
• Familiarity with donor databases and CRM systems.
• Experience in donor strategy planning or campaign fundraising.
• 5+ years of successful major gifts, principal gifts, or capital campaign fundraising experience.
• Proven success managing donor portfolios and closing significant gifts.
• Strong ability to build trust-based relationships with donors, board members, and community leaders.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Experience working with volunteers and board members in fundraising efforts.
• Ability to work independently with strong judgment and initiative.
• Passion for YWCA’s mission and commitment to equity and social justice.
• High school diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma (required).
• Has a valid driver’s license and can provide proof of auto insurance coverage. (required).
• Must be able to pass a background check. (required).
• One year working with domestic violence, sexual assault or homelessness (preferred but not required).

What else you should know:

The position is full-time, 40 hours per week. Monday through Friday, Regular Business Hours, some evenings and weekends may be required. The base wage for this position starts at $58,000 salary; higher wages would be based on relevant experience calculated using YWCA Missoula’s wage matrix. YWCA Missoula values a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about working with us but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Employee filling this role has access to benefits including holiday, vacation and sick time pay; health, dental, vision and life insurance available; reimbursed wellness expenses, employee discount and employee assistance program.

How to apply: To be considered for this position, please send a resume, cover letter and references toJMaturen@ywcaofmissoula.org or by mail/ in person to 1800 S. 3rd St. W., Missoula, MT 59801, Attn: Julie Maturen. Priority deadline for consideration is until the position is filled or June 5th, 2026 or until position is filled.

All offers of employment at YWCA Missoula are contingent upon passing a background check designed to protect the interests of women, children and families served by our programs. For applicants with a criminal history, the nature and recency of the conduct/behavior and its relationship to the position will be considered.