Major Gifts Officer

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for the planning and implementation of the APLA Health’s Major Gift program working closely with the Director of Development in prospecting, cultivating, and soliciting Leadership Circle donors and prospects, the APLA Health Major Gifts program ensures Leadership Circle ($1,200+) membership achieves a 75% or greater retention rate each year, identifies/solicits new donors, raising a total of $500,000+ annually. Additional responsibility includes the stewardship of Legacy prospects.                                            

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual cultivation and solicitation strategies for $1,200+ annual gift donors (Leadership Circle).
• Steward a portfolio of approximately 120 donors to cultivate, solicit and steward supporters.
• Proven track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts. Demonstrated ability to develop and grow long-term philanthropic relationships while consistently meeting fundraising goals.
• Working with the Director of Development and the leadership of APLA Health, begin and maintain a fast pace of gift cultivation and solicitation from current and prospective donors.
• Establish, maintain, monitor, and evaluate “moves management” strategies for all current donors in order to develop opportunities for retention and gift growth.
• Successfully complete face-to-face, telephone, hand-written, and email correspondence as established by annual performance goals.
• Document donor contacts in donor management/Donor Perfect system following established protocols.
• Inform, educate, and update individual donors and prospects on the activities of APLA Health and its fundraising needs.
• Draft articles, fact sheets, and proposals for donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation activities.
• Conduct research on current donors and donor prospects as appropriate.
• Maintain updated lists of Leadership Circle for the APLA Health website, donor wall, annual report, and other ways in which donors are acknowledged.
• Coordinate receptions and other events for Leadership Circle donors to facilitate direct asks and donor stewardship.
• Along with designated Board members, oversee fundraising and networking activities to increase the number of younger donors to the agency.
• Actively seek out and attend networking events with the goal of identifying new donor prospects and donor cultivation.
• Collaborate with team members in the identification and coordination of donor-advised fund and family foundation giving.
• Represent APLA Health at public events, including as a public speaker. Be well-informed on all changing issues of agency focus and concern.
• Attend all APLA Health fundraising events and other events where major donors will be present.
• Serve as an active member of Major Gifts Team and the larger Advancement Team, including participating in team meetings, retreats and planning meetings.

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED TO MEET BUSINESS NEEDS.

Requirements

Training And Experience:

• Bachelor’s and a Minimum seven (7) years’ Development experience in direct fundraising for nonprofits, and a track record of closing five- and six-figure gifts and donor stewardship.
• Excellent written and verbal communication/presentation skills with a professional demeanor, demonstrated through the development of successful donor communications and relationship-building.
• Experience in major gift and planned gifts solicitation.

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of donor databases, preferably Donor Perfect.
• An understanding of medical, mental health, public health, and human services issues related to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and the diverse health issues faced by members of the LGBT community.
• Strong working knowledge of key philanthropic trends.
• Demonstrated successful project management ability

Ability To:

• Work as part of a team in department-wide collaborations and serve as a role model for key processes and performance-based outcomes.
• Balance team and individual responsibilities, and promote positive team spirit.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

This is primarily an office position that requires only occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting and moving of office materials weighing 25 pounds or less. The position requires daily use of a personal computer and requires entering, viewing, and revising text and graphics on the computer terminal and on paper.

Special Requirements:

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; proof of auto liability insurance; and have the use of a personal vehicle for work related purposes. May be required to occasionally work evenings and/or weekends.

Equal Opportunity Employer: minority/female/transgender/disability/veteran.