Major Gifts Officer

For a complete position description and information on benefits, please visit our website at http://www.forterra.org/who_we_are/careers

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a self-motivated and mission driven professional who is an important member of Forterra’s development team. The MGO’s primary responsibility is to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts prospects for gifts in support of Forterra’s annual fund and conservation programs. S/he will be responsible for assisting in the planning, strategy setting and execution all of activities necessary to successfully secure gifts which meet Forterra’s fundraising objectives.

Direct Fundraising Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate a portfolio of major gift prospects; developing a solicitation and stewardship strategy for securing new support;
• Work collaboratively with senior management to develop funding priorities and implement advancement programs to sustain major gift support;
• Steward Forterra’s 200 Conservation Circle donors and implement strategic moves management to upgrade these donors to $10k+ in giving;
• Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations;
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the donors;
• Articulate compelling and thoughtful proposals both in writing and verbally; demonstrate strong listening skills;
• Recommend and assist with programming involving the President, CPO and volunteer leaders;
• Collaborate in the execution of the Conservation Awards Breakfast, especially around recruitment of table captains and guests.

General Development Responsibilities

• Collaborates with development, marketing and outreach staff in preparing cultivation and solicitation strategies for current and prospective donors;
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures related to the major gifts and planned giving programs;
• Collaborate with marketing and communications staff to develop materials and marketing collateral for the major gift effort;
• Work with the Development team to ensure the successful execution of Forterra’s donor centric events;
• Ensure that all donor related activity is recorded and tracked in Raiser’s Edge.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of successful experience in major or planned gift fundraising, preferably in the conservation and environmental arena;
• Must be a highly energetic, entrepreneurial and creative professional with a track record of cultivating and stewarding donor relationships;
• Ability to organize and manage diverse activities and set priorities in a fast paced environment. Flexible and able to work well under pressure;
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to multi-task;
• Strong communication, interpersonal, administrative and organizational skills; Ability to develop a positive working relationship with a variety of people;
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge (or other fundraising software), Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat;
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and strong problem-solving skills;
• Must be able to work occasional non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends;
• Valid, insurable drivers license/record.

Application Instructions

Send a resume and cover letter with subject "Major Gifts Officer" to jobs@forterra.org

No phone calls please

Job Type: Development/Fundraising
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations