Lifeworks Services, Inc. | Eagan, MNPosition Overview: Lifeworks Advancement Department is seeking a full-time Major Gifts Officer. This position uses demonstrated fundraising and relationship management experience to contribute to Lifeworks’ efforts toward growth and diversification of funding as well as builds a sense of community among funders, prospects, families, and other key stakeholders. Under the guidance of the Director of Advancement, this individual personally engages with donors, makes direct asks for support, and provides direction to implement strategies that result in donor cultivation and steady, significant growth in contributions.
Responsibilities: • Develop donor strategies focused on major and planned gift prospects, capital campaigns when conducted, and fundraising sponsorships for events that increase and diversify funding for Lifeworks.
• Oversee a portfolio of 150-200 donors and prospects.
• Participate in each step of the donor pipeline including: identification, qualification through research, cultivation, briefing, request for support, and prompt follow up, stewardship, and recognition.
• Develop and maintain an organized system for donor stewardship.
• Personally execute on donor communication efforts that include phone calls, letters, emails, and visits to prospective donors.
• As a strategic partner to the Director of Advancement, provide input to and direction of annual fundraising plans.
• Partner with program and new business development leaders to identify cases for support and stay connected with changes and enhancements to the services provided by Lifeworks.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications Manager to write and update fundraising cases for support including appeals, scripts, and grants.
• Accompany Lifeworks’ President & CEO, Director of Advancement, and other leaders on donor visits.
• Represent Lifeworks at external activities or events pertaining to fundraising.
• Define great performance for self and seeks to continually develop skills to improve performances.
• Follow safety procedures and assist in identifying safety needs for self and others.
• Contribute to the organization’s mission by complying with policies and procedures, using resources wisely and performing other duties as assigned as necessary.
Skills and abilities: • Demonstrated experience, success, and progressive responsibility in fundraising.
• Must have strong knowledge of fundraising, donor cultivation, and prospecting principles.
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to articulate concepts to all stakeholders.
• An excellent, tactful listener with a willingness to seek answers and an ability to recognize when others need to be involved in activities or decisions.
• Strong persuasion and presentation skills.
• Work successfully with diverse individuals with a variety of work and communication styles, both internally and externally.
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, Board, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.
• Exceptional customer service and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a rapid, changing environment.
• Experience and skill in budgets and financial management.
• Knowledge of and intermediate skills in database and prospecting software.
• Creative problem solver with excellent interpersonal skills.
Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree, in a closely related field, plus 5-7 years of professional fundraising experience.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials encouraged, but not required.
• Must pass both a background study with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and a physical examination indicating ability to perform the demands of the job.
• Have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and reliable transportation to use for work driving purposes.
• Must pass both a background study with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and a pre-employment drug test.
Benefits: Lifeworks offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees.
• 10 paid holidays
• 18 days of PTO to the first year
• Competitive medical and dental insurance
• 403B retirement plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement
Lifeworks is an equal opportunity employer of minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, age, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, public assistance status, and familial status.
To apply, email a resume and cover letter, and at least two fundraising writing samples including but not limited to a grant proposal, individual donor correspondence, direct appeal, or case for support to:
staff-job-openings@lifeworks.org.