Who We Are:
With the support of our members and sponsors, Ocean State Media Group (RI PBS and The Public’s Radio) serves the needs of all generations within Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We spark imagination, explore our history, and reflect the values of our diverse community. Guided by civic engagement, we provide unique, high-quality local, national and international programming, and digital content that educates, inspires, and engages.
Position: Major Gifts Officer
Supervises: None
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Exempt / Non-Exempt: Full Time Exempt
Summary:
Ocean State Media (formerly Rhode Island PBS & The Public’s Radio), serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to lead our efforts in securing funding that supports the transformation and growth of the newly created organization and its local journalism, cross-platform storytelling, educational programs and community-centered experiences.
We’re looking for a passionate and motivated Major Gifts Officer to join our growing development team. This role is ideal for a relationship-builder who thrives on meaningful connections and wants to help ensure the future of independent, local public media.
Specific Duties (including but not limited to):
- Manage and grow a portfolio of 75–125 individual donors and prospects with the capacity to give $5,000+ annually.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through personalized strategies, consistent outreach, and face-to-face (or virtual) meetings.
- Develop tailored proposals and ask strategies in collaboration with the Development team and CEO.
- Partner with colleagues across development, marketing, programming, and leadership to align messaging and leverage content.
- Maintain detailed donor records in the CRM (specifically, CDP and REVCRM), track interactions and moves management, and produce reports.
- Support and attend cultivation events, small donor gatherings, and on-air pledge drives, occasionally during evenings or weekends.
- Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, analysis, and referrals.
- Ensure timely acknowledgment and impact reporting to sustain and deepen donor relationships.
Required Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields in the nonprofit sector.
- Demonstrated success in building relationships and securing philanthropic support.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills—both written and verbal.
- Comfort with CRM systems and donor database management (e.g., REVCRM, Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, etc.).
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Enthusiasm for public media, community engagement, and nonprofit mission-driven work.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of the Rhode Island philanthropic landscape.
- Experience with moves management or donor pipeline development.
- Familiarity with planned giving and capital campaign strategy a plus.
What We Offer:
At Ocean State Media Group, we foster a creative, dynamic workplace where employees can thrive, grow and connect with our mission. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Health and Wellness Benefits including health, dental and vision insurance;
- 403(b) Retirement Plan Benefit that includes a 100% matching contribution up to 6% of the employee’s contribution, plus a pre-tax employer discretionary match up to 2% of the employee’s compensation;
- Paid Time Off package of 25 days, as well as a minimum of 12 holidays each year;
- Other Benefits Options include a flexible spending account, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, pet insurance, and other voluntary insurance options.
- Hybrid work schedule (mix of remote and in-office).
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is between $70,000 and $85,000.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should email their application documents to careers@ripbs.org.
Required application documents for this position include Resume and Cover Letter.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applications submitted by August 22, 2025, will receive priority consideration. Please indicate the position to which you are applying in the subject line of your email.
No phone calls, please.
Rhode Island PBS is an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military service, or genetic information.
