Location: Silver Spring, MD

Supervisor: VP of Development

Status: Full-time, exempt

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a skilled Major Gifts Officer (MGO), a newly created position responsible for defining, designing, developing, and implementing our major gift program. Our Chief Executive Officer has a new vision during a time when sanctuaries are expanding in our 25-year-old organization, recognizing that urgent action is needed to protect our oceans and Great Lakes.

Working closely with the new VP of Development as part of a dynamic, growing fundraising team, the MGO will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects and donors. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key. You will be expected to energize the team members, persuade prospects, and persevere to the end.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

As our manager of the major gift program, you will:

• Plan and lead the major gift giving program.
• Research major gift donor prospects and contact major gift donors on a regular basis.
• Work with the VP of Development to determine what gift amounts qualify as a major gift.
• Work with the VP of Development to establish and achieve annual fundraising goals, including setting a target number of prospects, cultivation touches, and monetary fundraising goals.
• Manage existing portfolio of seventy donors and prospects initially; build that portfolio to 120 over time.
• Draft major gift proposal documents.
• Develop a donor solicitation strategy for major gift prospects.
• Design and operate a donor stewardship program.
• Work collaboratively with Board Members, the VP of Development, and Foundation staff on fundraising.
• Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization.
• Grow relationships with major gift donors.
• Manage systems and software to track/support progress and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database (Salesforce) and wealth screening tools.
• Track and assess major gift fundraising metrics.
• Work with a growing development department to align efforts and set organization-wide fundraising goals.
• Create and implement moves-management plans.
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the Board and other staff with their solicitation (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications).
• Acknowledge major donations through public and private recognition.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications:

• You are a true people person with an outgoing nature. You’re a self-starter and are driven by results.
• Demonstrated ability to secure individual and major gifts and meet objectives. You make donors feel valued because you are sensitive to their needs.
• You are comfortable using a donor database, prospect research and other wealth screening tools to aid in your moves-management process.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• You have honed your writing and speaking skills and use them to compel individuals to action.
• You are highly organized, prepared, detail-oriented, and will follow through on promises.
• Determined and able to motivate others to reach goals.
• Experience and comfort being out in nature, including marine environments, boats, water, marinas, etc.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in public relations, communications, non-profit management, or similar field.
• At least 5-8 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including 3 years of experience in cultivating individual gifts.
• Knowledge of planned giving.
• Passion for and understanding of marine conservation.
• Experience in conservation, marine, sustainability, cultural heritage, and/or environmental philanthropy.

Why You Will Love Us

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the- water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies.

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays
• Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service
• Commuter Benefits

Compensation and Benefits: $95K - $115K annually, based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package.

Apply through the Foundation’s online portal. A cover letter, resume, and at least 3 professional references are required. Applications received by June 12th will be preferred.

Location: Washington D.C. based (Silver Spring HQ office location), with some telework available.

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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.