Hello! My job title is...Think about this.
We have said, and I think you do agree, that this major gift thing is NOT about the money.
In fact, fundraising done well is never about the money. Good fundraising is about helping donors fulfill their interests and passions. I know we have mentioned this many times before.
But I bring it up again because we continue to see position titles used out in the marketplace that mention the money. Titles like these:

  • Major Gift Officer
  • Development Officer
  • Advancement Officer
  • Director of Major Gifts
  • VP for Advancement
  • Director of Individual Giving
  • etc., etc.

All of these titles have two things in common:

  1. They are organization-centered – these titles tell outsiders what the person does INSIDE the organization – essentially, these people get the money and advance organizational stuff and get individuals to give. And…
  2. They are solely about the money.

It might be better to use “Director of I Am Going To Reach Into Your Purse.” (I joke.)
Seriously.
Those titles could be used internally because the folks inside need to know what you are doing to advance the organization’s purposes. But externally, use something like Donor Relations Manager or Director. Or Facilitator of Donor Passions and Interests. Or any other title that focuses on donors and their desire to work out their love of others and the planet through you.
You know what I mean.
If you are truly wanting to help your institutional or individual donor fulfill what THEY want to do through your organization, then your title should reflect that.
And it is OK to have two titles: one for use inside the organization and one for use outside the organization.
Remember, your donor mostly cares about what she can do through you, not what you can do with her money. ( Tweet it!)
Richard