Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission & Vision:
- Samaritan Aviation is committed to honoring God through integrity, excellence, collaboration, adaptability, and a ministry-focused approach to all we do.
- Team members are expected to live out these values while advancing the mission of saving lives and sharing the Gospel in Papua New Guinea.
Values: What does an “impact person” look like in our organization?
- An “Impact Person” in Samaritan Aviation always considers the best interests of the whole organization and the success of its commonly held mission. These convictions, practices, and commitments are the foundation upon which Samaritan Aviation operates, and our members are held accountable to them to ensure the success of our ministry and to have a positive impact.
- Integrity
- Ministry Focused
- Persistent and Committed
- Adaptable
- Collaborative
- Technical Excellence
Staff Culture
- Highly collaborative, mission-first environment
- Small team producing outsized impact
- Remote, flexible work structure with high trust and accountability
- Adaptable, fast-moving organization grounded in unchanging mission and values
- Trusted partnership between development, communications, and leadership
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors, foundations, and partners
- Secure major gifts at the six- and seven-figure level, with an annual fundraising goal of $2M
- Build and manage a robust major gifts pipeline, including prospect identification and qualification
- Develop and implement personalized stewardship strategies that foster long-term donor relationships
- Partner closely with the CEO and COO on donor strategy, cultivation, and engagement
- Lead and integrate major gifts efforts within broader development strategies, including campaigns and events
- Collaborate with Communications to produce compelling donor-facing materials and impact reports
- Guide the development of planned giving and non-cash giving opportunities
- Track and report fundraising progress, revenue projections, and outcomes using CRM systems
- Represent Samaritan Aviation at community and donor events, churches to enhance visibility and support
What You’ll Need
- Deep understanding of major gifts fundraising and relationship-based donor engagement
- Proven ability to build trust with high-capacity donors and guide them toward meaningful generosity
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to cast vision across audiences
- Strategic mindset with the ability to assess, design, and refine fundraising approaches
- High level of integrity, discretion, and donor confidentiality
- Comfort working in a remote environment with significant travel
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and donor/prospect CRM system
Relevant Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of successful fundraising or development experience with a focus on major gifts
- Demonstrated success securing six-figure gifts; seven-figure experience strongly preferred
- Experience building multi-year donor relationships using a relational cultivation approach
- Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred)
First Year Wins
- Build strong, trusted relationships with key donors and prospects
- Develop a clear, visible major gifts pipeline in partnership with leadership
- Celebrate and engage supporters through initiatives like a Major Gift Society or Legacy Giving, helping them feel fully engaged with Samaritan Aviation’s mission
- Execute fundraising strategies through the data-informed plan (already in place) for major gifts
- Strengthen donor confidence and excitement around Samaritan Aviation’s growing impact
Challenges You’ll Face
- Funding growth in a rapidly expanding mission: As Samaritan Aviation increases capacity in Papua New Guinea – serving more remote communities and responding to urgent medical needs – the complexity of funding both ongoing operations and expansion will grow in parallel.
- Resourcing major operational and capital initiatives: Expansion into a second province in PNG, including new aircraft, infrastructure, and missionary support, will require sustained donor engagement and a coordinated approach to operating, capital, and ministry funding.
- Evolving from founder-led to scalable fundraising: Long-standing donor relationships built through personal connections must now be complemented by broader outreach, diversified pipelines, and disciplined strategies across major gifts, grants, annual giving, and planned giving.
- Building systems to support long-term sustainability: The Major Gifts Director will help establish the processes, stewardship practices, and cross-team alignment needed to manage multiple campaigns, support a global ministry, and connect donor passion with organizational priorities.
Opportunities Ahead
- Lead at a pivotal moment of growth: Samaritan Aviation is expanding its footprint in Papua New Guinea and the U.S., advancing a multi-year capital campaign, and strengthening operations during a season of significant organizational momentum.
- Champion a mission which donors are eager to support: With a clear, life-saving impact and powerful stories from remote communities, this role offers a rare opportunity to connect generous partners to transformational outcomes.
- Shape and elevate the development program: The Major Gifts Director will bring focus and strategy across major gifts, annual giving, grants, planned giving, and corporate partnerships—helping transition the organization toward a more specialized, data-driven fundraising model.
- Build sustainable funding for long-term impact: With a strong operating budget and a capital campaign already nearing the halfway mark, this leader will help establish funding pathways that sustain the mission for years to come.