About the position: The Major Gifts Officer identifies, cultivates, and solicits donors who have the capacity to make gifts in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. This individual is responsible for moving a portfolio prospect through the complete giving cycle: validation, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, gift negotiation and stewardship, and serves as a key member of a dynamic fundraising team. The Major Gift Officer will develop and implement personalized solicitation strategies and collaborate across the organization to maximize fundraising strategy and revenue.

Essential Responsibilities Include:

The following are representative of the responsibilities associated with this position and are not meant to be an all-inclusive list:

• Establishing positive effective relationships internally and externally with a broad assortment of individuals, boards, volunteers, donors, external partners, and the communities at large.
• Developing and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects; serving as the primary relationship manager, developing, and implementing a written donor strategy and relationship record (using Virtuous) of all interactions; sustaining and growing current funder relationships while also building new donor relationships.
• Communicate with portfolio through face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship meetings, and written strategies; ensure that each major donor and prospect has a clear strategy and timeline for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Preparing solicitation materials, including proposals and executive summaries.
• Actively partnering with Foundation colleagues to advance development objectives and build partnerships leading to increased major gift production.
• Drive for Results – steadfastly pushing self and others for results with a focus on bottom-line results while maintaining a donor retention rate of at least 80% with at least 120 visits per year; using key metrics to achieve higher retention rates and donor satisfaction.
• Monitoring and managing opportunities and new trends with technology and data analysis to determine which efforts have the greatest business impact; Using wealth screening and other research information to develop strategies and build the portfolio.
• Responsible for budgets, forecasts, and projects, as well as accurate and timely plans, consistent with the strategic plan.
• Collaborating with peers across the organization to acquire and coordinate resources.
• Learning science to present proposals to donors, and following research updates.
• Officers may be asked to perform related tasks as needed.

The successful candidate will have experience and expertise in all areas of the major gift work continuum, having worked within moves management including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and gift closure. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate the Foundation mission and science updates is essential.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of professional fundraising experience managing high level donor relationships with a demonstrated track record of success for closing gifts of $10,000 and above.
• Demonstrated abilities to partner successfully with staff, board, volunteers, high level donors and regional staff in creating new giving opportunities.
• Experience and comfort using a donor database, prospect research, and other wealth screening tools to aid in your moves management process.
• Strong fundraising ethics; with discernible respect for confidentiality of donor information
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to use them to compel individuals to action.
• Highly organized, prepared, detail-oriented with timely follow through on promises.
• Initiative-taking, enthusiastic for science.
• Fully proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Ability to work flexible week that could include nights and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license with driving record acceptable to the Foundation insurance carrier
• Must live within the defined region.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID; requires documentation of vaccinations

Position specifics:

• Home-based position. Relocation is not provided.
• Budgeted Salary Range: $85k–$130k
  The range is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role. The range considers a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: geographic markets, business or organizational needs, skill sets, experience, training, licensure, and certifications.

• Reporting to: Sr. Director of Philanthropy
• Travel 20%

To apply: Send resume with cover letter, please include examples of personally solicited individual gift achievements, along with salary expectations to HR@fightblindness.org.

We are one team collectively committed to driving research until the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases is eradicated. We offer a competitive salary and benefits, as well as an incredibly dynamic team to work with! The Foundation Fighting Blindness is an equal opportunity employer.