You are a storyteller who is passionate about community-led solutions. You are a collaborative self-starter, effective networker, and a true people person with an outgoing nature. You communicate with ease across a number of media (in person, online, in writing).

About the Role

The Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing HOT’s Major Gifts Program, including: developing strategies for major donors, prospecting, partner and donor cultivation, donor solicitation, and donor relationship stewardship. The role will be collaborative in nature with other teams across HOT to drive the pipeline of prospects forward.

Responsibilities

Donor Relations with Major Donors

Develop and implement major gift donor strategies that include identification, cultivation, solicitation, and retention for a portfolio of both current and prospective donors at the level of $25,000 or more with an annual fundraising goal of $3M+.

Develop funding requests based on the goals of the organization for high net worth individuals and lead the solicitation and closing of major gifts.

Take responsibility for the solicitation and acquisition of an annual gift from every individual in the assigned portfolio of donors and prospective donors through direct personal visits and meetings.

Organize strategies and briefings for the executive director, the board of directors and other staff for solicitation of major donors as appropriate (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor prep, talking points, communications, etc).

Collaborate with the Leadership Team, Board members, and program staff to create opportunities for further cultivation of key donors and prospects.

Create and implement major gifts materials including briefing memos, proposals and stewardship materials.

Respond to donor inquiries, questions, and issues in a timely manner.

Plan and implement special events and donor site visits to engage supporters.

Donor Tracking & Reporting

Track and report progress toward revenue goals using specific metrics; present regularly to the Leadership Team.

Prepare data and progress updates for Board reports.

Manage correspondence and database updates for donors in the portfolio.

Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database and wealth screening tools.

Develop and maintain a strong understanding of HOT’s mission and programs, maintaining collaborative working relationships with all teams to craft messages for potential major donors and partnerships

Collaborate closely with Fundraising teammates on multi-pronged fundraising campaigns and in the creation of fundraising collateral.

Coordinate with the Communications team on social media announcements, annual reports, published lists of donors, and fundraising materials related to major gifts.

Qualifications

Essential

Passionate about humanitarian action and international development

Deep understanding of Major Gifts prospecting and stewardship

Discretion with confidential matters and willingness to travel extensively.

A team oriented manager of the solicitation and cultivation process with strong organizational skills.

A strategic thinker who has demonstrated resourcefulness in working collaboratively with various constituencies and solving problems.

An individual with strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate with believable passion, the mission and spirit of HOT both verbally and in writing.

A solid understanding of annual fund programs and institutional development more broadly

Reliable, responsive follow up and proactive outreach

Able to exercise a high level of organizational skill and initiative necessary to complete specific tasks with little supervision

Bachelor’s degree

Five or more years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in soliciting and closing major gifts.

A minimum of 1 year supervisory/management experience required.

Proven track record in developing and implementing successful fundraising campaigns, including meeting quantified individual and team goals.

Experience developing tailored cultivation and stewardship plans that exhibit an exceptional understanding of others’ priorities, motivations, and interests.

Understanding of database management, gift processing and donor relations.

Ability to provide a high level of customer service and staff training to meet customer service standards and expectations for the assigned unit.

Energetic, outgoing, flexible, creative, and a proactive problem solver.

Desirable

Advanced skills with word processing and presentation software (eg. Microsoft or G-Suite applications)

Knowledge of Salesforce is a plus.

Are you missing a few of the technical skills listed? We would still like to see your application. While the skills above fit our vision of this role, we are open to those candidates with a strong knowledge foundation that are fast learners and highly motivated to close any skill gaps.