Major Gifts Officer

Description

Job Purpose 

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a strategic fundraiser with a passion for building meaningful relationships that drive financial support for Three Square Food Bank. This role is instrumental in advancing Three Square’s mission and impact by serving as a philanthropic advisor, thought leader, spokesperson, advocate, and proactive change agent in the fight against hunger.

The MGO plays a vital role in Three Square’s financial sustainability by forging impactful connections with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other key partners. This individual will develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to give $10,000 or more.

The MGO will work closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO), Director of Philanthropy (DOP) and others to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy pertaining to major gifts to expand financial and in-kind support for Three Square. 

Essential Job Functions

Donor Relationships

• Manage relationships and develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for a mixed portfolio of 100 -150 select major gift donors and prospects capable of considering a gift of $10,000 or more to a strategic priority of Three Square.
• Develop personal engagement plans and mission-based partnership opportunities for select major individual, select corporate and select foundation philanthropists, in partnership with the Development team, that will deepen donor relationships and inspire mission-based gifts of $10,000 or more annually.
• Develop fundraising materials, such as briefing materials, request letters, proposals and personalized gift request materials for key solicitation and stewardship meetings.
• Maintain reporting system to track fundraising results and assure that donor and other constituent data is properly recorded in Donor Perfect.
• Develop the strategies and framework to sustain and grow the Planned Giving program at Three Square. Identify and steward individual donors with the capacity to make major planned gifts to Three Square.

Organizational Planning and Development

• Support philanthropic vision, set strategy and operating goals that align with and provide resources to support the annual work plan of the organization.
• Work collaboratively with the CDO, DOP, and other leadership team members to align resources and organizational relationships to support all fundraising efforts and private donor relations activities.
• Participate in strategic and budget planning process.
• Effectively collaborate with the Donor Relations, Marketing & Communications, Grants Administration, Operations, and Volunteer teams to integrate activities, philanthropic initiatives, and key messages.
• Effectively collaborate with Three Square Programs and Operations teams to identify priorities and needs that can be funded by major donors.
• Serve as a key spokesperson and representative of the Food Bank in the community.

Requirements

Required Leadership Competencies and Skills

• Demonstrated 7+ years’ experience soliciting major gifts generating revenue of $1.5 million+. 
• Impeccable interpersonal skills with strong aptitude for relationship building and project management.
• Strong collaboration skills, both internal and external.
• Excellent communication skills, including both verbal and written with the ability to perform and communicate in a highly professional manner.
• Must be able to persuasively articulate mission, values, and information to multiple audiences in a compelling way including presentations and media interviews.
• Curiosity, coupled with strong research/analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently, including ability to exercise initiative, judgment and problem solving to complete assignments.
• Ability to work with and process confidential information with discretion and sensitivity.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook). Donor Perfect (or relevant CRM) database experience preferred.
• Maintain a safe driving record, current vehicle insurance and the ability to use their personal vehicle for business at off-site locations.

Work Environment

• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people. Ability to travel to multiple sites and work remotely.