This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Employees are expected to be responsible for and assist with additional tasks and duties as needed. Job descriptions may change to meet the business needs of the organization.
JOB PURPOSE: This position is responsible for direct solicitation of major gifts. In addition to managing a portfolio of donors, this position collaborates with the Philanthropy Team to identify and drive strategies designed to identify, recruit, manage, and increase the number of major ($50k commitments) and planned gift donors and donor prospects.
PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:
Fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship

• Secures major, principal, and planned gift commitments per the following metric expectations:
  
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of 80-120 donors and donor prospects with the capacity to make philanthropic gifts of $10,000 to $500,000 .
  • Conduct donor visits regularly and often with a goal of 60 to 80 meaningful visits per year, including qualifying at least 35 prospects a year through discovery outreach and cultivation.
  • Solicit at least three gift commitment proposals of $250,000 and nine gift commitment proposals of $50,000 each year.
  • This position will also receive credit for all gifts raised from $10,000 to $49,999.
  • Contributes to the Philanthropy team's key performance indicators, which will be used to assess team efficacy and to determine individual metric expectations in future years.
• Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with donors and prospective donors using a moves management approach, including in-person and virtual visits, phone and email communications, events, and hosted visits to American Prairie properties, resulting in increased philanthropic support, enthusiasm for, and awareness of the activities of American Prairie.
• Develops and maintains a high level of knowledge on all aspects of American Prairie's project and initiatives, including the organization's Forever Wild comprehensive campaign, and communicate updates regularly to portfolio donors.
• Work with the Philanthropy Operations team and the Marketing team to identify prospects for qualification, using peer-to-peer networking with volunteers, the Salesforce database, wealth screening tools, and additional research.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate supporter information and notes in Salesforce, including meeting dossiers, contact reports, solicitation plans, and activity tracking to inform metrics.
• Support the Ken Burns Heritage Prize team by identifying National Jury prospects, cultivating current National Jurors, identifying new donor prospects through Prize attendees and RSVPs, and attending Prize presentation events and National Jury meetings, as assigned.
• Working with volunteer hosts, including the Forever Wild campaign committee, organize local and regional "friendraising" events of various sizes to grow exposure for American Prairie to prospective donor audiences.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to inform organizational communications and collaterals, and to keep Marketing aligned with Philanthropy team needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Enthusiasm for and positive representation of American Prairie's mission, values, goals, and culture.
• Comprehensive major gift cultivation and solicitation skills and experience, including short and long-term planning and evaluation, philanthropy ethics, cultivation practices, and development and maintenance of systems and processes.
• Highly competent in working with and enabling volunteers and staff with strong collaborative skills and ability to contribute to a team environment.
• Strategic oral and written communicator with assertive and proactive approach; articulate and poised with strong presentation skills.
• Motivated, creative, and organized self-starter with attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure, handle multiple projects and demonstrate time management and prioritization skills with a high level of productivity and accuracy.
• Familiarity with computer programs and databases.
• A minimum of 5 years directly related philanthropy experience.
• Ability to work non-traditional and long hours including some evenings and weekends.
• Significant air and car travel required. On average 5 days per month or 25%.
• Valid driver's license and ability to drive as part of work travel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working within a comprehensive fund development program.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Knowledge, understanding, and familiarity with conservation-focused missions or organizations.