Friends of the Boundary Waters | Saint Paul, MN
Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000
Title: Major Gifts Officer
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Development and Membership Director
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Summary:
Friends of the Boundary Waters (Friends) is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to join our team. This is a unique opportunity for a development professional with success in individual major gifts fundraising to become part of the development team at one of the Midwest’s premier environmental organizations. They will be responsible for managing a portfolio of around 100 donors and prospects nationally. Working closely with development department and program staff, the Major Gifts Officer is expected to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals in support of the Friends’ mission.
Primary Relationships:
• Reports to the Development and Membership Director
• Works collaboratively with the Development team
• Works effectively with all Friends’ staff and Board of Directors
Responsibilities:
• Develops and manages an assigned portfolio of 100 – 150 qualified major gift donors and high wealth prospects who have the capacity to make multi-year commitments of $5,000 and above
• Serves as the primary relationship manager for this portfolio of donors, developing and implementing personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Works in tandem with the Development Director in developing and executing ongoing strategy for qualifying donors to ensure retention, growth of donor’s contributions, and recapture of previous donors
• Works collaboratively with Development colleagues and other departments to create customized solicitation strategies that match the objectives of the organization and interest of the donor/prospect
• Conducts a minimum of 16-20 significant personal interactions monthly for the purpose of qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding these donors
• Develops a significant prospects pipeline as part of the organization’s evolving fundraising strategy in collaboration within the development team
• Maintains an annual “Top 25” pool of prospective major donors who will be solicited for a significant commitment in the next 12 – 18-month period
• Works with the Development Director to assign portfolio assignments as appropriate and develop cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Meets or exceeds annually established major gift goals and benchmarks, including number of interactions
• Prepare well-researched memos the leadership in advance of donor meetings
• Work with the Communications team to help prepare stewardship and cultivation collateral, including a monthly newsletter
• Ensures that the activities of this position are consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the organization
Qualifications:
• Demonstrated success in individual major gifts fundraising
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and a high level of comfort with direct donor interaction including discussion of personal and family finances
• Well developed communication skills including excellent writing ability and public speaking skills
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse team
• Willingness to travel out of state
• A valid driver’s license and ability to drive
Compensation and Benefits:
• $65,000 - $75,000 per year salary
• Paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan
• In addition to paid vacation and sick leave, the Friends provides a $600 stipend and five additional paid vacation days to each employee to take time off and recharge in the Boundary Waters or Quetico.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid in-person/remote working options
• We encourage life-long learning and ongoing professional development
To Apply:
Submit a cover letter, resume and three references to:
Bree Sikorski
2550 University Ave W, Suite 180S
Saint Paul, MN 55114
bree@friends-bwca.org
In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Major Gifts Officer.”
Applications will be accepted until May 22, 2023.
At Friends we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and do their best work. The Friends is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.