Position Objective:

In collaboration with the Director of Individual Giving and the Major Gifts team, the Philanthropic Specialist for Major Gifts is responsible for helping PETA reach its fundraising goals by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 150 major donors. 

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Oversee an engaged portfolio of 150 qualified high-net-worth PETA donors

• Proactively lead each step of the donor pipeline for portfolio members, including qualification; cultivation; request for support; prompt follow-up, stewardship, and recognition

• Develop and execute individual engagement plans for each donor in the portfolio, including finding ways to engage, inform, and activate donors meaningfully 

• Solicit major financial donations and legacy giving plans to PETA from targeted donors

• Conduct personal in-person and virtual visits with major donors and prospects, scheduling a minimum of 10 significant visits monthly for research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Manage a group of prospective donors and follow the Veritus qualification process to qualify new donors into the portfolio regularly

• Identify, research, and write appropriate "cases for giving" for targeted PETA donors 

• Create and implement a personalized annual communications plan for every assigned donor

• Work with key PETA staff to bring donors deeper into the folds of PETA’s work

• Participate in PETA donor cultivation and fundraising events 

• Document pertinent information (meetings, correspondence, notes, research) to enhance and develop PETA donor profiles for PETA's major gifts database

• Stay up to date on current fundraising techniques and methods used in the nonprofit sector and attend professional training seminars in both major and legacy gifts

• Perform any other duties requested by the supervisor 

• Degree in a related field or equivalent experience

• 3+ years of experience in a frontline fundraising role with successful solicitation of five-figure gifts preferred 

• A high level of initiative, organizational skills, and attention to detail 

• Exceptional persuasive and explanatory written and verbal communication skills

• Proven ability to maintain professional working relationships with members and supporters

• Proven excellent project management, strategic thinking, and analytical skills

• Experience with a donor database and proficiency in Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and maintain strict confidentiality at all times

• Professional appearance and adherence to a healthy vegan lifestyle

• Willingness and ability to travel

• Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid U.S. driver's license, a minimum of three years of driving experience, and a satisfactory driving record

• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs. 

• Ability to represent PETA's philosophy and professionally advocate PETA's positions on issues

• Commitment to ending speciesism and defending the rights of all animals

The salary range for this position is $47,000.00 - $67,724.80 annually. The ultimate salary within this range that will be offered to a qualified candidate will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and the cost of living in the area in which the candidate will live and work. 

A list of benefits available to qualified employees is available here.

Application Deadline: 

Applications for this position will be accepted until January 5, 2025.

We may fill this job opening before the deadline if we find a qualified candidate.