Major Gifts Officer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages relationships with a portfolio of major donors.
• Develops and implements strategies for the identification of new donors, and for the cultivation and stewardship of current donors through appropriate personalized outreach initiatives.
• Implements fundraising strategies from individuals through major gift campaigns, personal cultivation/solicitation, planned giving vehicles and special events designed for individual donors.
• Creates and oversees major gifts strategic plan, policies and procedures, in coordination with the Senior Manager of Fund Development, that are essential for a comprehensive major gifts initiative.
• Develops and manages the major gifts annual operational and revenue plans in conjunction with IRUSA’s annual budget.
• Captures and manages donor-related activities.
• Coordinates and liaises with other Fund Development team members and executive management regarding relationship building and donor cultivation events, including briefings, private and public presentations, and special events to provide a source of targeted funding.
• Contacts and meets with prospective donors through personal visits, spending approximately 50% of time meeting with active and prospective donors and attending events outside the office.
• Works closely with executive management and fund development staff to ensure that major donors are acknowledged in a personal and time-sensitive manner.
• Writes and/or edits proposals, reports, acknowledgements, briefings, and letters to donors and prospects, pledge reminder letters and other documents.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree (CFRE - certified fundraising executive certificate preferred)
• Minimum 5 years successful fundraising experience for nonprofit organization(s).
• Must excel in working with high net-worth individuals, families and businesses, and have the ability to compel investment in IRUSA’s mission.
• Demonstrated successful experience and effectiveness in prospect identification, relationship building and donor solicitation.
• Strong ability to communicate (written and orally) persuasively and strategically, and with tact, and diplomacy as necessary.
• Ability to lead face-to-face meetings and the confidence to solicit funding using effective and appropriate language.
• Experience in writing effective proposals, summaries, and reports and updates for fundraising purposes.
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to contribute to team environment.
• Confident and proficient user of MS Office.
• Strong research skills along with proficiency in database and membership management.
• Ability and desire to work independently and collaboratively to accomplish goals and projects.
• Understanding of key international and national current events/political issues that affect humanitarian, aid and development work.
• Experience in using Raisers Edge or similar fundraising database application.
• Meets and interfaces with prospective large external donors.
• Liaises with consultants and external contacts to progress and facilitate corporate giving and like strategies.