Organization:

Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) is a fast-growing, direct service organization leading the fight to end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. While we prioritize children, we work globally to empower the liberation of ALL individuals suffering at the hands of those seeking to sexually exploit. We offer vital resources to domestic and international authorities, including assisting in rescue efforts. We meet survivors on their healing journey, offering a variety of specialized aftercare programs to all those affected so that they can thrive, not just survive. We work tirelessly to raise awareness and educate the public about these critical issues.

Job Summary:

O.U.R. is seeking a highly motivated, strategic and engaging gifts officer with advanced level skillsets required to build a robust regional major giving program. The Major Gifts Officer will manage, cultivate, solicit and steward O.U.R.’s current major donors in the region, with a primary focus on securing six and seven figure contributions. Additionally, the gifts officer will identify and cultivate prospective major donors with giving capacities of $10,000 by accessing a large prospective pool of O.U.R.’s current donors, and through prospect research and networking.

Working in close collaboration with the Chief Revue Officer, Vice President of Development and key programmatic staff, the Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for 1) Building compelling cases for support and working in collaboration with program and finance staff to do so; 2) Developing major donor cultivation strategies aimed at matching O.U.R.’s priority areas of work with priority areas of interest of key donors and prospects; and 3) Engaging major donors and prospects in meaningful, innovative and authentic ways that bring them closer to the organization. 

Additional primary responsibilities will include holding major donor cultivation and fundraising events within the region, attending key networking events, and acting as an ambassador of O.U.R. to build greater visibility and relevance of the organization in the assigned region.

Responsibilities:

• Cultivates, solicits and stewards a portfolio of up to 175 major donors and prospects, utilizing skillsets and strategies that further engage individuals in an ongoing conversation about O.U.R.’s activities
• Sets ambitious major gifts income goals and KPIs agreed upon with supervisor, resulting in
  • Qualifying and securing new major donors
  • Upgrading and retaining current major donors
  • Building strong relationships and advancing giving through in-person visits (aiming for 5-10 face-to-face visits per month)R
• Researches and tracks philanthropic giving trends in the region and develops strategic moves management plans for existing and prospective major donors based on their philanthropic interests, past giving, capacity, inclination to give and organizational allegiance.
• Demonstrates engaging, interpersonal skillsets through ability to secure in-person visits and make meaningful connections with donors.
• Contributes to building a strong O.U.R. presence in the region, working in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team, board members and other key staff.
• Maintains and manages donor portfolio in the organization’s database, including all donor interactions, contact reports, giving history, etc.
• Assists the Chief Revenue Officer and Vice President of Development ensuring that the broader organization understands and embraces their roles in major gifts fundraising through routine relationship-building interactions with senior leadership within O.U.R.
• Briefs Chief Executive Officer, development team and program staff in preparation for donor visits, solicitation and strategic high-level engagement opportunities with donors.
• Participates in developing complex programmatic budgets required for large-scale, restricted donations, and tracking spend down of gifts against budgets, with finance and supervisor's oversight, demonstrating deliverables and accountability to funders.
• Demonstrates a thorough working knowledge of policies, procedures, and terminology of the department/field.
• Exercises ethical judgment on acceptance of donations in line with O.U.R. gift acceptance policies, and adheres to AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Guidelines.
• Participates in shared responsibility and collaboration with volunteers and internal and external constituents.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Experience in personally soliciting and obtaining five, six and seven figure gifts and coaching and collaborating with senior leadership to do so.
• Demonstrates a high-level of emotional intelligence, diplomacy and interpersonal skillsets and the ability to engage and cultivate relationships with a wide-range of individuals.
• Strategic thinker who can tell a story that clearly articulates “Why O.U.R.” and insightfully connects the work and its relevance with both new and diverse audiences as well as existing donors.
• Has the ability to manage multiple donor accounts and projects at once and communicate across a wide variety of stakeholders with often uncoordinated expectations.
• Demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of philanthropic terminology to describe multi-faceted programs, including: theory of change, goals, objectives, benchmarks, inputs, outputs, outcomes, and indicators of success.
• Ability to set priorities and work within deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, strong organizational and project management skills, and familiarity with relational databases required.
• Must be creative, flexible, responsible, a skilled problem solver, and able to balance a variety of activities.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, drive to achieve and ability to fulfill short-term and long-term objectives.
• Commits to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, Board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.

Experience:

• At least 8 years major donor fundraising experience
• Experience in personally soliciting and obtaining five, six and seven figure gifts and working with senior level leadership program staff to do so.
• Extensive knowledge of major donor fundraising within the non-profit sector is essential.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401K with 6 percent match
• Health, Dental, Vision and Life/AD&D Insurance
• Opportunity to work with an outstanding team who is dedicated to a great cause