Job Description

Help The Persecuted is an international ministry with a mission to Rescue, Restore, and Rebuild the lives of Persecuted Christians living in places hostile to the Gospel. Indigenous Field Ministry Team members, located in many countries, enable the ministry to address the practical and spiritual needs of persecuted believers, and to share the Gospel with others. The ministry’s vision is to see the persecuted Church endure, flourish, and multiply in hostile places.

We are an accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and an Excellence in Giving Certified Transparent Charity.

The Major Gifts Officer joins a donor engagement team of four who are responsible for a current budget of $7.5M, with plans to scale toward $10M. This person will report to the Director of Donor Engagement and manage a portfolio of mid-level donors giving $10,000-$50,000 annually. In addition to transitioning into an assigned portfolio, this person will proactively identify and qualify new prospects with a target of approximately 150 active relationships.

This is not a transactional role. We believe development is ministry and that inviting donors into partnership with the persecuted church is an act of service. The right candidate brings genuine relational depth, theological grounding, and a heart for this work.

Key responsibilities of the Major Gifts Officer include but are not limited to:

• Steward a portfolio of ~150 mid-level donor relationships through a consistent, tiered contact cadence: calls, personal notes, visits, and impact updates
• Execute a disciplined-moves management cycle for each portfolio relationship, with documented next steps and timelines maintained in the CRM
• Work toward an annual portfolio revenue goal established with the Director of Donor Engagement, with a long-term target of $1 million+ in managed giving annually
• Identify and qualify new prospects from HTP's existing donor file and referrals; use prospect research and wealth screening tools to prioritize portfolio activity
• Proactively identify donors with capacity to upgrade and flag for deeper major gift cultivation in partnership with the Director of Donor Engagement
• Develop individualized donor strategies and make compelling, authentic funding asks aligned with each donor's passions and giving capacity
• Communicate the Rescue, Restore, Rebuild model clearly, helping donors understand how their partnership translates to real field outcomes
• Collaborate with the Director of Donor Engagement and advancement leadership on high-capacity donor visits and proposals, especially as relationships approach or exceed the upper portfolio threshold
• Assist with proposals for individual donors and select foundations
• Introduce donors to tax-smart giving vehicles (gifts of stock, IRA charitable rollovers, planned giving) in partnership with senior development staff
• Participate in annual development planning, campaign strategy, and goal-setting alongside the broader donor engagement team
• Represent HTP at donor events and select conferences; some evenings and weekends required
• Travel to visit donors as needed (~10-20%)
• Contribute to team communications, outreach templates, and campaign strategy
• Handle all donor information and field partner stories with discretion and theological care
  

Qualifications

• Personal commitment to the authority of Scripture and the global mission of the church
• Genuine conviction about the cost and call of following Christ in contexts of persecution
• Bachelor's degree required
• Must be based in the greater Atlanta/Marietta, GA, area
• 5+ years of nonprofit development or donor relations experience is preferred, ideally with proven experience securing five-figure gifts; candidates with relevant—though not direct—experience in development are encouraged to apply
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including writing for a Christian donor audience
• Genuinely relational; builds long-term trust and partnership, not just transactions
• Demonstrated moves-management discipline and CRM fluency across a large, active portfolio is preferred
• Experience with prospect research and wealth screening tools
• High emotional intelligence; handles sensitive field stories and donor information with care
• Familiarity with faith-based donor motivations, including stewardship theology and giving as worship

Success Profile

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about the the work of Help The Persecuted and embodies these traits:

• Curious First: You lead with great questions and listen deeply before pivoting to a need.
• Mission + Margin: You understand that the right ask is ministry, not just fundraising.
• Faithful Storyteller: You steward field partner stories with integrity, sensitivity, and care.
• Relationally Present: You remember the donor's grandchildren's names, not just their giving history.
• Biblically Grounded: You can speak to the biblical call to stand with the persecuted church, and mean it.
• Team Multiplier: You make the whole team better.

Desired Characteristics of Applicants

When Help The Persecuted reviews applicants for an open position, we look for certain characteristics we believe are important to maximizing the ministry of HTP and fully utilizing the spiritual gifts and talents as individuals.

• Christian. We believe that to contribute to our mission it is essential that a person maintain a vibrant Christian faith.

• Called. Work at HTP is not just another job; it is the work of God and an employee should sense the call of God on his or her life work within the ministry.

• Competent. In addition to being a Christian and having a sense of calling, a person must be fully competent to perform all the duties of the position.

• Committed. Because of HTP’s high standards and its belief in good stewardship, it is essential that all employees manifest a high level of commitment to their job responsibilities and the ministry as a whole.
  

Additional Information

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid role based in Marietta, GA
• Team members are expected to work in the office 3 days per week
• Up to 2 days per week may be worked remotely

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary
• 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution (following one year in the plan)
• Paid medical and dental; optional vision available
• Paid vacation, holiday and sick time

Help The Persecuted (HTP) is both an equal-opportunity employer and a Christian, nonprofit, religious organization. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, parental status, or disability of an otherwise-qualified individual. The status of HTP as an equal-opportunity employer does not prevent the organization from hiring staff based on their religious beliefs so that all staff share the same religious commitment, which is central to our stated religious purpose and day-to-day operations.

This job posting is being managed by Forrest Johnson Recruiting on behalf of Help The Persecuted.