Open Positions

Major Gifts Officer

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Directs and implements major gifts efforts, including direct interaction with individual, corporate and foundation prospects. Responsibilities will focus primarily on the evolution of a major prospect pool for the organization to include annual major donors as well as major donors for specific projects.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:
Reports to Director of Development and Marketing (to CEO until DDM is hired)

DUTIES:

  1. Research, identify, rate and plan cultivation activities for major gifts prospects (individuals, corporate and foundation representatives).
  2. Work with Institute staff to identify and package key funding needs.
  3. Work closely with Institute’s CEO, board and its development committee to engage them in fundraising and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation and closure on their prospects.
  4. Prepare major gifts materials, including brochures, fact sheets, volunteer solicitation materials, etc.
  5. Cultivate current and lapsed major donor prospects on a regular basis through personal phone contact, personal correspondence, hand written acknowledgments, and personal visits.
  6. Write proposals for major gifts for qualified prospects and ensure proper follow-through.
  7. Maintain major prospect transaction records and provide monthly reports of activity and income; manage and maintain donor database and secure files.
  8. Plan and implement major donor cultivation events in collaboration with board members, including all stewardship activities for major donors.
  9. Accompany CEO to major speaking engagements to meet key corporate and foundation leaders and manage follow up (involves some overnight travel).
  10. Oversee annual fund solicitation mailing schedule.

 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • 5-7 years of major gifts experience, including successful solicitation of gifts of 5 figures or more.
  • Experience in environmental and international fundraising preferred.  
  • Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising – able to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to initiate contacts with potential donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with high-level volunteers and senior staff members; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
  • Understanding of the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop relationships between them and the Institute
  • Understanding of development constituent databases; knowledge of Donor2 preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher.
  • Good organizational and time-management skills.
  • Exceptional writing skills, technical and non-technical
  • Ability to interact positively and in a sensitive manner with major donors in person and on the phone
  • Team player - open to cutting edge thinking and concepts.  
  • Self-starter, initiative taker tempered by good judgment


Rodale Institute is an equal oppurtunity employer and offers competitive salaries and benefits package.