Major Gift Officer

Description

Overview of Responsibilities

The Major Gifts Officer plays a pivotal role in fundraising strategy by cultivating and managing donors capable of making significant contributions. This role is a fundraising, portfolio-driven position with prospect management responsibilities including qualification, cultivation, solicitation & stewardship of prospective and current donors for major gifts. Serves as the primary point of contact for the portfolio, including prospect management and strategy development, personal visits, fundraising proposals and correspondence. 

Key Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of prospective donors (individuals, foundations and corporations) with the ability to secure major gift commitments

• Meet outreach, personal visits and revenue metrics as established by the Senior Director of Development

• Create a comprehensive strategy for donor cultivation, solicitation and retention based on the donor’s giving capacity and history.

• Directly solicit major gifts and partner with leadership on solicitations by providing prospect briefings, strategic guidance, and assistance with donor communications.

• Serve as trusted philanthropic advisor to qualified major gift prospects and demonstrate reliable and donor-centric communications.

• Develop a high-quality donor experience through regular personalized correspondence, professional proposals, and timely acknowledgements.

• Train, manage and mentor Major Gift Specialists 

• Responsible for development, monitoring, and achievement of budget goals for this position as part of the overall budget strategies for the organization

• Maintain accurate donor records in the donor management system, tracking contributions, interactions and key metrics.

• Keep up with best practices in major gifts fundraising and seek professional development opportunities to enhance expertise.

• Comfortable with travel as needed and ability to work nights and weekends as required.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience/Position Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in major gift fundraising with a proven track record of securing significant contributions.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage high net-worth donors.

• Excellent people skills including the ability to maintain tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

• Excellent communications skills (both verbal and written) to create compelling donor messaging.

• Close attention to detail and accuracy of information, timeliness on data input.

• Self-motivated with ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

• Exceptional storyteller. Adept in public speaking

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and in donor management software.

• Expressed desire to learn and familiarize oneself with the issues of Indian Country and the philanthropic landscape of Native American issues. Historical, geographical, and awareness of trauma is not required, but should be learned, or demonstrate a willingness to learn contemporary issues in Indian Country.

• Report remotely four days per week ten hours per day Monday through Thursday with an ability to work in the office. This may change at any time with days in the office as a requirement.

Education Background Required 

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience in development 

Core Competencies Required for this Position

• Mission-Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to PWNA’s mission to create real social 

change that leads to better lives and healthier communities throughout Indian Country.

• Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute in

cultivating and managing relationships toward PWNA’s strategic goals.

• Collaborator: Understands and values the roles and contributions of all sectors of the 

community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful 

engagement

• Results-Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the organization and the 

Native American communities we serve.

• Brand Steward: Steward of the PWNA brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results for long-term success and sustainability

• Business Acumen: Possesses a high-level breadth and depth of business and management skills and is effective at generating financial support for a nonprofit organization