[Hiring] Major Gifts Officer @LAND TRUST ALLIANCE INCORPORATED

Role Description

The Major Gift Officer is a primary external ambassador for the Land Trust Alliance who plays a significant role in the organization’s strategic objective to increase its individual donor base and revenue from major gifts of $25,000+, campaign gifts and planned gifts. The officer’s primary responsibility is to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, steward and otherwise manage prospect and donor relationships to achieve and expand the organization’s philanthropic goals.

The initial focus of work for the Major Gift Officer will be a high level of discovery visits and calls with hundreds of current donors and prospects to identify a portfolio with a $1-2 million+ goal. The officer will serve a key role in the development and execution of prospect and donor strategies to meet campaign and annual goals for major gifts and for planned gifts.

Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct qualification and discovery meetings with donors and new prospects to determine capacity, interest, and readiness for major ($25K+) and principal giving.
• Personally secure at least $1-2 million in individual giving and planned gift activities annually.
• Act as principal donor strategist for each prospect and donor in the portfolio.
• Maintain an active cadence of donor contact and visits, targeting 100-120 visits annually.
• Identify and secure complex, non-cash and planned gifts from portfolio donors.
• Develop major gift proposal documents in partnership with Development and program colleagues.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Alliance with its member organizations and partners.
• Identify and develop relationships with new prospective individual supporters and fundraising partners.
• Contribute to complete and accurate activity reports on moves management.
• Use Salesforce to maintain accurate portfolio records and track donor moves.
• Collaborate with Alliance volunteers and staff to advance fundraising goals.
• Meet regularly with executive directors, staff and Board members of land trusts.
• Contribute to individual giving and major gift circles.
• Serve as an advisor to other Alliance staff for individual and major gift strategies.
• Contribute to developing an overall culture of philanthropy at the Alliance.
• Participate in Alliance general development and national events.
• Stay informed about trends in philanthropic giving and environmental funding.

Key Metrics

• Donor engagement: Number of personal meetings with prospects and volunteers; number of individuals engaged through events and activities.
• Donor stewardship: Number of touchpoints with each donor; timeliness of engagements.
• Revenue: Value of gifts toward the Alliance mission and campaign goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of six years development experience in individual major gifts fundraising.
• Demonstrated skill in securing five to six-figure gifts from individuals.
• Understanding of planned giving opportunities.
• Strong people skills and the ability to build cooperative relationships.
• Experience working with internal and external executive-level staff and Boards of Directors.
• Experience with major donor and prospect moves management best practices.
• Willingness to travel extensively (2+ trips/month, approximately 25-35% of time).
• Excellent speaking, writing and editing skills.
• Ability to work effectively without daily supervision and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with comprehensive campaigns a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Salesforce programs essential.
• Adherence to discretion in working with sensitive donor and financial information essential.
• Knowledge of the philanthropic leaders and regional landscape highly desirable.
• Familiarity with land trusts and the land trust community is a strong plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and other health coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation, personal, sick, and holiday leave.
• 403(b) retirement benefits.

Application

Please submit your application for this position, attaching your resume and cover letter, on the application link. If the electronic application is not an option, applications will be accepted by mail to Human Resources, Land Trust Alliance, 1250 H St, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005.

The Land Trust Alliance’s mission is to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Land Trust Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.