Job Posting

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO:

United Way of Olmsted County (UWOC) is a community change organization that fights for the education, health, and financial stability of every person in our community. UWOC fights to erase divisions, bridge divides, and right inequities. We connect people with resources that change lives and transform our community. You can learn more about our organization, our impact, and our values at www.uwolmsted.org.

HOW YOU’D FIT IN & STAND OUT:

• This role is managed by the Vice President of Resource Development and member of UWOC’s Resource Development team, which is a team of Our team has a strengths-based culture and finds value in diverse skills and strengths.
• Our team is a group of dedicated and persistent relationship builders, who help inspire others to share their time, talents, and treasures to advance the mission of UWOC to achieve community- level change. We serve as representatives of the mission and clarifying questions to better understand how we can ensure resources are secured to fund the
• We are looking for someone to develop and execute strategies that provide a best-in-class donor experience utilizing the model presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). This includes identification of prospective (potential -not giving currently) donors; screening those identified through research using an asset/wealth screen tool as well as engaging others to find out more about the individual and/or family; growing the relationship with those identified and inviting them to make a financial contribution when the time is Prompt follow-up and stewardship of the gift is required. Stewardship includes thanking both verbally over the phone, proper and timely personalized written acknowledgement of the gift and in some cases, showing gratitude in person. This is done to celebrate the gift given and to increase the likelihood of the donor to give again and increase giving over time.
• In other nonprofit organizations this role may have a title like “Fundraiser.”

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS:

The Major and Planned Giving Associate (MPGA) serves as the primary connection between the work of UWOC and individual donors. The MPGA will work to establish trust-based relationships, garner a greater degree of involvement, and will keep individual supporters connected and aware of the activities of UWOC and community impact strategies.

With an emphasis on increasing the number of donors and size of their gifts, this role will focus on building and maintaining relationships with key donor segments: Leaders in Giving (Gifts of $500+), Women United (Women giving unrestricted gifts to UWOC of $650+), Tocqueville Society (Gifts of $10,000+), Hope Legacy Society (Those that have indicated that UWOC is or will be a recipient of dollars through their will or estate or other transferable investment income prior or after death), and potential Leaders in Giving (most likely those giving $250-$499 currently).

The purpose of this position is to increase individual and family gifts to UWOC. This position works closely with the VP of Resource Development and with the Operations Specialist to review strategies associated with prioritizing reach out to prospective donors via email, phone and ideally with face-to- face interactions. The relationship with these individuals is monitored through documentation of conversations, interests, giving history and intentions, and pertinent relationship building information. The MPGA:

• Establishes and fosters relationships with individual volunteers, donors, and potential donors
• Develops individual donor strategies, along with materials, to renew and increase donor gifts
• Works collaboratively with staff to compose letters, compile appropriate invitation lists, participate in events, and engage priority donor populations
• Adheres to high ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to the needs of the donors
• Works independently
• Manage multiple projects and maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality is essential
• Coordinates with Marketing and Engagement Team on events targeted to build relationships with key donor segments and provide opportunities to engage with donors and prospective donors providing awesome experiences.

These are the core functions of the MPGA position:

Major Gifts

*A major gift is an unrestricted gift (no donor designation of dollars to another nonprofit organization) to UWOC of Olmsted County that is $10,000 or more.

• The MPGA manages relationships with 150-200 donors and prospective donors (otherwise known as a portfolio of donors), and applies a moves management approach with these donors and prospective donors, with a documented custom cultivation (relationship building and introduction and inclusion in UWOCs mission) strategy for each
• The MPGA identifies major gift prospects. Analyzes and predicts and donor’s behavior through the lens of inclination (propensity) to give charitably, wealth capacity (having a high net worth) and likelihood to give (gives to other nonprofits that share similar goals of UWOC or are current donors to UWOC). Gather pertinent data alongside the prospect researcher to determine the best candidates for the major gifts
• The MPGA cultivates major gift prospects, investing the necessary time and energy to build relationships to better understand the donor or prospective donor’s goals with the expressed purpose of alignment with UWOC’s mission and strategies for community impact.
• The MPGA solicits major gift prospects. Moving prospective major donors along the donor pipeline ready to receive an appropriate invitation to invest in the mission of UWOC, based upon donor intent and interest.
• Develop stewardship strategies that continue the major gift relationship for future gifts and planned giving opportunities.

Planned Giving

*A Planned Gift is a gift identified by the donor as a plan to make a gift through an array of investment assets, that may be given to a nonprofit prior to or after death. Planned Giving is a natural extension and part of the major gift cultivation strategy. Planned gifts are simultaneously cultivated with a portion of this position’s portfolio.

• The MPGA identifies planned giving prospects and analyzes and predicts and donor’s propensity, capacity, and likelihood to make a planned gift.
• The MPGA assists in marketing and awareness building of the Planned Giving program as well as Hope Legacy Society recognition.
• The MPGA responds to inquiries and assists individuals interested in making gift of cash or through stock transfers, donor advised funds, trusts, or to the endowment fund.
• The MPGA develops stewardship strategies that maintain planned gift expectancies and the opportunity for future planned gifts.

Relationships and Engagement

• Invite and involve donors in volunteer and learning opportunities to deepen their connection and affinity to the mission of UWOC.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Engagement team to inform activities to increase engagement of donor groups, Leaders in Giving, Women United, Tocqueville Society, and Hope Legacy Society.
• Secure meetings in-person (or via zoom or other platform if face-to-face interaction is not safe or welcome) and conversations to inform and adjust the donor experience to match the specific preferences and interests of the individual or family.

Documentation and Evaluation

• Create donor profile records using our CRM (Contact Relationship Management) donor database, analyze, and determine strategic course of action to retain and cultivate top supporters with guidance from the VP of Resource Development.
• Utilize the CRM (Contact Relationship Management) donor database to craft messages and send updates to donors with the intention of having a follow-up conversation with the donor to cultivate next gift.

Specific work experience in each of these areas is not required. We welcome the opportunity of growth. We expect our new Major and Planned Giving Associate to have a continuous learning mindset when it comes to relationships, processes, and tools. It would be preferred that a candidate has 3+ years of fundraising experience, has relevant sales experience or a combination of either. We will provide support for on-the-job learning, as long as you possess the core competencies described below:

THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF YOU:

• Connect with a diverse audience: possess the ability to inspire trust and confidence and communicate effectively with internal and external audiences. Adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the
• Listen and ask questions: initiating conversation comes easy to you and you are also an active listener. You can uncover opportunities to develop and solicit transformational gifts. Increase

support of individuals through learning about personal details and passions and philanthropy and community.

• Are patient yet persistent: Major and planned gifts take time. The person in this position is dedicated to maintaining processes that ensure personalized and timely touchpoints are occurring.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Are comfortable working on a PC and using Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and database software.

Possess the following core competencies:

Strong communicator—You build authentic, long-term relationships with community members based on open and honest communication. You can think on your feet and answer questions or meet hesitancy with a positive demeanor and with a customer service mindset.

Detail oriented –You stay on top of things by maintaining accurate documentation, keeping organized file systems, managing communications and follow-ups, scheduling appointments, and bringing in other staff members into the conversation when appropriate.

Learning mindset - You are willing to go into conversations with people who may not share the same opinions as yourself and can come to a common ground. You seek to find commonality and to inspire involvement to address the greatest needs our community is experiencing. You are willing to be surprised by what you learn, and you adjust your plans based on new information.

Collaborator - We are looking for a thought partner who contributes to the overall work of our team and helps make our ideas better. This may look like: you share and challenge ideas to promote improvement, find ways to connect your work to other department areas, work with others to develop processes together, workshop projects with the team to gain a well-rounded perspective.

HOURS:

• Our typical work week is 37.5 hours.
• Located in Olmsted County – We are looking to hire a resident or someone willing to live within daily commuting distance, as we are rooted in our local community. Some in-person meetings and activities are required as safety permits.
• Typical office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm.
• We offer flexible work schedules to meet individual and family needs, and we need you to be available during peak times to meet with internal and external stakeholders. We are willing to work together to make sure both employee and organizational needs are met.
• Occasional availability outside of typical office hours is expected for special events and networking events, as individual circumstances allow.

OUR WORKPLACE:

UWOC of Olmsted County is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals who share lived experiences with the people and communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply. We intentionally do our best to eliminate bias and remove barriers for applicants. UWOC encourages applications from individuals of all races, genders, ages, and abilities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Starting salary of $45,000-50,000 per year, depending on qualifications.
• Employees are paid electronically twice a month.
• Benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; 403b retirement plan with generous employer match available after one year of employment; 8 weeks paid parental leave.
• 20 days paid time off plus 10 paid holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and two floating holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion).

TO APPLY:

To apply, please email Zeni Aly (zenia@ uwolmsted.org). If you have specific questions about this position, you can contact Jennifer Teske (jennifert@uwolmsted.org). In the email we ask for:

1. Two-Three paragraphs in the email (not attached, write in the body of the email) telling us why you are interested in this position and how you believe you meet the qualifications.
   • By paragraph we mean a set of 3-7 sentences, meaning your email should be approximately 6- 21 sentences long.
   • You will not receive more or less consideration because of a shorter or longer email.
   • DO NOT send us a traditional cover letter. In this process we are seeking someone who pays attention to detail and follows direction. If you send a cover letter, this will be considered not following directions.
2. A summary of your work/skills/training/educational history as an attachment OR a link to your LinkedIn profile
   • We do not have a preference on which one.
   • You will not receive special consideration for sending both.
   • Our aim is to understand where you have worked/volunteered before and the types of roles you have had. Maybe you have led fundraising efforts in the nonprofit sector, maybe you have incredible relational and organizational skills from your past experience, maybe you have demonstrated success in a sales position, maybe you have experience collaborating or working cross sector with individuals who may share unique or opposing thoughts and ideas —we are open and interested in engaging people across the spectrum of experience and industry.

*Qualified applicants will receive a reply within five business days to schedule a conversation and we will keep the position open until filled.  You may call or email Jennifer if you have any questions about the role at 507-287-2000 / jennifert@uwolmsted.org