Officer, Major Gifts

About the Individual Giving & Special Events Team

New York Cares’ Development Team raises $9mm+ annually from a portfolio of generous donors and institutional funders. The Development Officer, Individual Giving will join a team of five fundraising professionals focused on individual giving and special events, ultimately raising $4mm+ via an Annual Gala, a Soiree, and myriad fundraising campaigns and initiatives. We are a collaborative group that is always looking for new ways to tell New York Cares' story and improve our fundraising strategy. We also manage a Young Professionals Committee ("Rising Leaders Council"), a Family Council, and a major donor society ("Leadership Circle").

About the Development Officer, Major Gifts

We are seeking an experienced fundraiser who excels at building strong relationships and developing creative appeals and proposals that align with donors’ philanthropic interests. The Development Officer, Major Gifts will own the engagement and stewardship strategy for all major donors ($5,000+) and major donor prospects at New York Cares and directly manage a portfolio of ~200 relationships. The successful candidate will be a natural salesperson. They’ll be organized, energetic, and put a high value on spending time with current and prospective donors.

Key Stakeholders

The Development Officer, Major Gifts is New York Cares’ lead strategist for donors who give >$5,000 annually. The Major Gifts Officer will work closely with the New York Cares Program staff and technology team to 1) develop compelling cases for funding to present to donors, and 2) build out expansive donor profiles to customize outreach and create valuable experiences. The Development Officer will report to the Director of Development, Individual Giving & Special Events with room to grow a Major Gifts department over time as the portfolio develops.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive engagement strategies and manage customized stewardship plans for all major donors and major donor prospects to raise funds for New York Cares’ general operations and programs.
• Manage a portfolio of ~200 major donors and major donor prospects, executing engagement and stewardship plans to build stronger relationships, retain donors and upgrade gift amounts. In addition, the Development Officer will be responsible for portfolio strategy, ensuring that all major donors and major donor prospects are appropriately assigned to other relationship managers at New York Cares.
• Maintain, evaluate, and iterate on New York Cares’ major donor prospecting model with the aim of identifying donors from the <$5,000 portfolio who have potential for growth and teeing them up for deeper, more customized engagement.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of experience (or high school equivalency and 5+ years’ experience) in a fundraising.
• Experience securing five- and six-figure gifts preferred.
• Superb communication skills, with experience tailoring messages to suit intended audiences and compelling readers to act.
• Excellent project management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and plans work activities, use time efficiently, follow instructions, and responds to management direction.
• Ability to analyze and use data and metrics to shape goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Understand social nuances, practices, and world views of people of various backgrounds, identities, and cultures. Leverages that understanding to effectively interact with people of diverse communities.
• Possesses a strong future-orientation and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel. Experience using Salesforce, Mailchimp, Apollo, and/or similar technical systems preferred.
• Possesses excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to build trust and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor meetings and events.

Benefits

• Hybrid schedule: In office Mon/Tue/Thu. Remote Wed/Fri
• 11 paid holidays + 3 floating holidays
• Paid time off: 12 days in year 1 + paid last week of Dec. 18 days in year 2
• Paid sick leave
• Health & wellness coverage: medical, dental, vision (80% employer-paid), plus life & disability insurance
• Retirement & tax-advantaged accounts: 403(b) plan, flexible spending accounts, transit reimbursement.