Major Gifts Manager

About the Center

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive. We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

Position Summary

This position provides a unique opportunity for an energetic, experienced nonprofit professional with fundraising experience to join a successful development team in a supervisory role while advancing the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission to protect imperiled wildlife and wild places. The Major Gifts Manager in an integral role to the full scope of major gifts work at the Center for Biological Diversity. This position works closely with the Chief Development Officer and Deputy Development Director in their capacity as Major Gift Officers (MGOs) to develop and deliver high-quality, timely, authentic, and creative donor plans, experiences and communications to individuals capable of making a substantial impact on the Center’s work through their philanthropic support.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Support and organize the cultivation, solicitation, and closing of five, six, seven-figure and higher major gifts from individual donors and foundations, as well as stewardship of same.
• Directly organize and support MGO solicitation activities including donor meetings, experiences, proposals to help close major donor and grant gifts.
• Compile, draft, format, and distribute informational content that will inspire donors to give.
• Collaborate and strategize with senior development leadership, grant writers, and the development operations team to cultivate and solicit funds from major donors, foundation funders and prospects before, during and after events, webinars and campaigns.
• Utilize Center research tools as well as entrepreneurially source information, conduct research and synthesize the Center’s wide-ranging conservation work into clear, brief, and compelling proposals, talking points and other solicitation and cultivation communications that inspire giving.
• Help build enduring relationships with major donors by providing high-level stewardship support drafting and sending personalized communications and reports.
• Moving nimbly in response to breaking news to help follow up and secure funding from major donors and foundations for urgent campaigns.
• Conduct extensive donor research prospects already in our ecosystem as well as not, identifying those who can make a significant philanthropic impact on the Center’s revenue growth and prepare research dossiers to support the MGOs prospecting.
• Support the Chief Development Officer’s work with donors making planned gifts through research, scheduling individual meetings, sometimes attending and providing individualized stewardship support to close legacy gifts.
• Meet with donors, as assigned, through phone, Zoom and face-to-face to cultivate and secure major gifts.
• Draft and send timely and thoughtful responses on behalf of leadership to donors’ questions, feedback and inquiries and demonstrate how donors’ philanthropic support for the Center makes an impact.
• Oversee quality of Development Associates’ work preparing and composing nuanced communications for high-net-worth major donors and funders.
• Support the major gifts team with a wide array of initiatives and activities as assigned.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• 5 - 7+ years’ experience having direct and positive interactions with donors or clients.
• Ability to write short form communications (emails) with emotional intelligence, clarity, and accuracy.
• Ability to participate in drafting clear, detailed, persuasive reports or proposals of varying lengths.
• A positive, team player excited to support the success of senior leadership while also working independently towards their own success.
• Analytical with an exceptional ability to pay attention to nuance and detail, great organizational skills, and ensure a high-level accuracy in completing complex tasks.
• Extensive experience with donor relationship management databases or similar.
• Strong relationship building skills and willingness to speak directly by phone or in person with donors and prospective supporters.
• Experience administrating, supporting, or directly engaging in fundraising approaches like moves management for major donors is preferred although not required for the right candidate.
• Strong affinity for the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission.