[Hiring] Major Gifts Officer @Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation Initiative

Role Description

As the Major Gifts Officer, you play a hands-on role in developing and maintaining the donor relationships that enable our bold vision for large landscape conservation in Canada and the United States. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and working within the individual giving and broader development teams, you plan and implement effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift givers and prospects, with a focus on soliciting individual donors.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors (including those with capacity to give $10,000+), building strong, trust-based relationships (various channels and in-person) that lead to increased philanthropic support for Y2Y (gifts and bequests).
• Develop and implement individualized donor strategies, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans, moving potential donors through ladder of engagement and making direct asks to support organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for complex giving, including gifts of assets, planned gifts, and other non-cash contributions; confidently discuss such giving and related donor recognition options.
• Work with Y2Y staff, leadership and advisors to gain a deep understanding of and package our program work, and to connect donors to the impact of Y2Y’s work.
• Create and/or deliver effective and personalized communications to donors including letters, briefing notes, proposals, stewardship reports, and other targeted donor materials.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the donor database and follow established relationship management practices.
• Build and engage networks of ambassadors and volunteers as needed to support donor outreach and relationship-building.
• Plan and execute small donor focused events when necessary to advance a philanthropic relationship.
• Participate actively on internal and cross-functional teams and supervise/collaborate with support/administrative staff, interns and volunteers as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Y2Y policies, financial standards, and external (donor/legal/financial and ethical practices).
• Navigate effectively across U.S. and Canadian philanthropic environments, adapting strategies to different donor expectations and cultural contexts.
• Represent Y2Y and/or participate in donor and partner interactions, including complex or sensitive negotiations.
• Contribute to annual revenue targets of >$2 million (including major and planned gifts) and meeting goals for personal portfolio.
• Undertake frequent travel and, on short notice, work long and flexible hours as required, with an expectation of up to 120+ visits per year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience (and expectation of 7+ years’ related experience in total).
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, family foundations and corporations.
• Experience designing and managing fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans.
• Track record of asking for and closing gifts of $5,000 or more.
• Well-organized with ability to manage/track multiple prospects and donors and handle related administration.
• Experience and preferably training in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of campaigns and major gifts.
• Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping Y2Y meet its goals.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements would be an asset.
• Excellent communication and writing skills via presentations, conversations, and documents.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a geographically dispersed and multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed.
• Strong technical skills in MS Office365 (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint).
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience would be an asset.

Requirements

• Full-time position (37.5 hours/week) with an outstanding benefits package.
• Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $75,000-$90,000.
• Location: This position should be based in a major urban area near an international airport. Ideally, positioned within or near the Y2Y region.

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits package.