Position Objective:

In collaboration with the Director of Individual Giving and the Major Gifts team, the Philanthropic Specialist for Major Gifts is responsible for reaching fundraising goals by engaging, retaining, and increasing gift-giving from the PETA Foundation’s Vanguard Society 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

• Minimum five years of experience in frontline fundraising with successful solicitation of five-figure gifts 

• 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 always maintain strict confidentiality

• 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

The salary range for this position is $47,000.00 - $69,305.60 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 April 15, 2025.

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