Major Gifts Officer (NJ)

Full-time position in the Fund Development division, located in Saddle Brook, NJ. This role is part of a strategic initiative to drive significant organizational growth through major gifts.

About the role

The Major Gifts Officer will focus on the organization’s goals and objectives as defined by strategic priorities, responsible for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding lapsed, new, and prospective donors. This position involves developing relationships with current and prospective individual major donors to build support for the organization’s mission and enhance its community impact.

Responsibilities

• Manages relationships with a portfolio of 150-200 major donors.
• Develops and implements strategies for identifying new donors and cultivating current donors through personalized outreach initiatives.
• Implements fundraising strategies through major gift campaigns, personal cultivation/solicitation, planned giving vehicles, and special events designed for individual donors.
• Creates and oversees the major gifts strategic plan, policies, and procedures in coordination with the regional manager.
• Contacts and meets with prospective donors through personal visits, spending approximately 50% of time meeting with lapsed, active, and prospective donors and attending events outside the office.
• Makes face-to-face solicitations, working closely with executive management, board members, and fund development staff to ensure major donors are acknowledged personally and in a timely manner.
• Coordinates and assists with planning events (private/public), tours, and seasonal activities on regional and national levels with the Fund Development teams.
• Writes and/or edits proposals, reports, acknowledgments, briefings, and letters to donors and prospects, including pledge reminder letters and other documents.
• Maintains and provides accurate records of meetings, interactions, and solicitations related to all donor activities.
• Serves as a well-informed representative and advocate for the organization.
• Performs other related duties as necessary.
• Liaises with consultants and external contacts to progress and facilitate corporate giving and similar strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) certificate preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of successful fundraising experience for nonprofit organization(s).
• Experience working with high net-worth individuals, families, and businesses, with the ability to compel investment in the organization’s mission.
• Demonstrated success in prospect identification, relationship building, and donor solicitation.
• Leadership ability with exemplary interpersonal skills, including strong written and oral communication for persuasive and strategic messaging.
• Ability to lead face-to-face meetings professionally and confidently solicit funding using effective language.
• Experience writing effective proposals, summaries, reports, and updates for fundraising purposes.
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to contribute to a team environment.
• Proficient in MS Office, research, and database/membership management.
• Ability and desire to work remotely, independently, and collaboratively to accomplish goals.
• Understanding of key international and national current events/political issues affecting humanitarian, aid, and development work.
• Capable of directing and working effectively with donors, volunteers, staff, and committees under pressure and/or deadlines.
• Experience using Salesforce and similar fundraising database applications.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment.
• Flexible schedule with up to 50% travel required.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.