Major Gifts and Donor Relations Officer

Position Summary

The major gifts and donor relations officer will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding Rise’s current individual donors, as well as identifying and developing relationships with individuals who are strong prospects but new to Rise’s work. This position works with donors, volunteers and Rise team members to develop relationships resulting in mid-level, major and planned philanthropic gifts. Specific responsibilities include working with Rise leadership to develop a new case for support, managing a portfolio of donors, tracking contacts and information and supporting the efforts of the Advancement team as a whole. 

 *A cover letter is required to apply. In the letter, please tell us why you are a good fit for this position. Tell us your "story" 

Key Expectations

• Standards of Excellence Commitment: All Rise employees are expected to commit to, sign and follow-through on Rise’s Standards of Excellence. 
• Person-Centered Practices: Learn and consistently perform person-centered practices. Identify those things that are important to people who receive support; implement strategies to assure they are present in day-to-day life. Identify areas where change can happen without permission. Act on those areas. 
• Communication: All Rise employees are expected to communicate effectively with other team members, external stakeholders and the people we serve in a respectful and timely manner. This includes but is not limited to reading and responding to email in a timely manner, answering and responding to phone calls and voicemails, fostering open communication, listening to others, and preparing professional written communications as needed.  

Essential Functions and Estimated Timelines

• With input from other Advancement team members, develop plans and projections based on status of donors and goals for Rise’s contributed revenue. 
• Create and maintain a full schedule of donor meetings including scheduling meetings, preparing materials for meetings, making internal connections to customize the meeting to the donor, meeting follow-up and documentation. 
• Identify and manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 donors/prospects, working to match their philanthropic goals with Rise’s needs. 
• Identify planned giving prospects and develop strategies for long-term engagement. 
• Conduct ongoing cultivation activities to build relationships with prospective donors. 
• Lead the organization’s stewardship program through completion of thank you calls, letters, and ongoing communications. 
• Maintain accurate records of all donor activities. 
• Collaborate with Rise’s Vice President of Advancement and Chief Executive Officer on management of their portfolios. 

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail: Ensures information is complete and accurate; achieves thoroughness and precision when accomplishing tasks and understands the importance of maintaining the integrity of data and organizational records. 
• Focus on customers and interpersonal skills: Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders and acts with them in mind. Is warm, approachable, and cooperative; looks for common ground and solves problems for the good of all. Builds constructive and effective relationships. 
• Integrity and trust: Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent self for personal gain. 
• Written communications: Can write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that instigate appropriate actions. 
• Self-management: Learns quickly when facing new problems and enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks. Can use time effectively and efficiently; prioritize tasks and act accordingly; and adeptly handle several tasks at once. Analyzes both successes and failures for clues to improvement and considers feedback from all sources. 
• Drive for results: Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; does not give up before finishing, even in the face of resistance or setbacks; steadfastly pushes self for results. 

Required Education, Experience, and other Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. 
• Expertise with the following software / technology: Microsoft software - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive 
• Experience with donor/CRM databases, DonorPerfect preferred 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Writing samples will be requested. 
• Ability to travel to all Rise locations, community locations and other locations based on donor preferences. 
• At least three years of experience working with mid-level and major donors in a nonprofit setting and ability to demonstrate the success of past development work. 
• Five years or more working in nonprofit organizations, preferably in development roles. 

Preferred Education, Experience, and other Qualifications

• Experience working in a development role in a human services nonprofit organization is preferred. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. 
• Willingness to develop plans and strategies and pivot when necessary. 

Benefits

• Wage: $88,345.47 - $103,844.68 per year, depending on qualifications
• Medical insurance - single employee coverage less than $90/month
• Dental insurance less than $17/month
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with a 100% vested employer match
• Rise sponsored Basic Life & AD &D insurance
• Voluntary Life, Short Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Tuition reimbursement and Rise sponsored trainings (i.e., CPR, First Aide, and more) to help you be successful in your role
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO) starts at 16 days during your first year, plus 2 floating holidays and 48 hours of ESST time per year
• Employee resource groups (i.e., DEI, LGBTQ+, recognition and more).
• A fun team environment that supports your professional development and opportunities for career advancement.
• Rise is a PSLF-eligible employer. Your qualified student loan balance may be forgiven after 120 covered payments.

Are you looking to work with a diverse team of professionals? Do you want to work in a fun environment while supporting others to live a life of possibilities? Then join Rise, Inc. Rise values being a person-centered organization. This impacts how we carry out services for the people we support and our organizational culture. We encourage people's unique individual differences and celebrate the ways our team members contribute to our community. We believe in a workplace informed by differing viewpoints and perspectives created from a diverse team and welcome people of all races, genders, ages, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds to apply. Our goal is that those we serve, and our team members always feel valued and respected.