Major Gifts Officer

As part of the Individual Giving team, the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for cultivating and growing relationships with current and prospective major gift donors and soliciting gifts of $10,000 or more. This position works strategically with staff and high-level volunteers to orchestrate introductions to new donors to United Way and its work and facilitate peer-to-peer asks. Passion for United Way's mission and an emphasis on authentic relationship building are critical to the success of the Major Gifts Officer.

Responsibilities

Cultivating and growing relationships with current and prospective major gift donors; Soliciting gifts of $10,000 or more; Working strategically with staff and high-level volunteers to orchestrate introductions to new donors to United Way and its work; Facilitating peer-to-peer asks; Developing fundraising goals for portfolio and implementing strategies to meet those goals; Managing major gift pipeline qualification cycle through phone calls and discovery meetings; Contributing to team process improvements and innovation; Working closely with Individual Giving, Corporate and Institutional Giving staff to maximize relationships; Capturing significant relationship activities, financial projections, and donor information in Microsoft Dynamics CRM; Working closely with gift processing team and accounting staff to ensure accuracy of donor pledges, payments, and designations; Encouraging and supporting donors in exploring their privilege and values to further United Way’s goal of addressing systematic racism; Working closely with the Office of the President & CEO to further cultivate major donors and prospects; Building relationships, supporting and recruiting high-level volunteer ambassadors; Managing engagement and giving for Board Members; Serving as organizational liaison for the Board Chair; Performing other duties as assigned

Requirements

Demonstrated understanding of social and racial justice and equity, with a proven commitment to apply racial and economic justice lenses in both personal and workplace contexts; Lived experience and/or demonstrated professional skills working within a diverse work environment; Demonstrated success in fundraising; Proven strong analytical skills to analyze donor information, plan, and set goals and objectives; Proven excellent verbal and written communication skills, and presentation skills; Demonstrated relationship building and collaboration skills to effectively relate to a diverse audience; Proven effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills; Donor focused with the ability to establish, cultivate, and steward strong relationships to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust with United Way; Demonstrated effective planning and implementing skills, demonstrated ability to prioritize activities and be comfortable dealing with ambiguity; Proven excellent project management skills; Demonstrated thorough knowledge of fundraising techniques, consultative selling approach, major gift cultivation/solicitation; Commitment to keeping up with fundraising trends and best practices and continual learning; Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor data base knowledge; Ability to exercise good judgment with sensitive, confidential information; Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, specializing in Business, Marketing, Sales, Communication, or a related field; At least five years of experience in fundraising and two or more years in dedicated major gifts fundraising; Proven solicitation experience of gifts $10,000 and higher; 5 - 10 years of experience

Nice to have

Experience closing multi-year gifts; Demonstrated volunteer management experience at high levels of an organization

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance; PTO (including holidays); 403(b) retirement savings plan; Subsidized Transit Pass (Orca Card)