POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic major gifts professional driven to help impact and expand the capacity of Holt International. This exciting position will raise funds by strategically developing and nurturing current and prospective donors including individuals, churches, foundations, corporations, and community groups in the United States!

The Major Gifts Officer is a leader in Holt International fundraising efforts and is instrumental in developing, implementing, managing, and maintaining successful long-term relationships with a wonderful portfolio of donors and organizations. To expand donor capacity, engagement, and philanthropy, the Major Gifts Officer creates opportunity for donors and prospects to become engaged with Holt International’s mission hands-on and to learn about organizational programs that align with their giving interests.

The position requires the ability to travel occasionally to meet with donors, with primary travel being in the US. Up to twice a year, this position would also help lead donor trips internationally to tour Holt’s International programs and see the impact of their work hands-on.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Donor Management

1. Develop relationships with individuals, churches, foundations, corporations and community groups within assigned portfolio of major donors, in support of Holt International’s programs for children worldwide.
2. Maintain relationships with existing donors, encouraging them to increase current giving levels through contacting them by phone, email, direct mail, and personal visits.
3. Managing a portfolio consisting of 100 – 150 donors and donor organizations, with a premium placed on donor retention and increased giving.
4. Develop new donor prospects by following up on leads and networking through current donors.
5. Secure donation revenue by personally soliciting donors for gifts, managing a donor portfolio to qualify, solicit, and successfully close gifts over $10K, with an objective to raise a minimum of $1 million annually.
6. Implement and plan a strategic development plan to determine the optimal frequency, timing, and type of contact with each donor; the amount of gift and timing of the request; and any special information appropriate in making the donor feel appreciated and encouraged to give.
7. Conceptualize and conduct donor cultivation by effectively communicating with donors.
8. Prioritize donor facing meetings with the top prospects and report to donors on how their money was used. Donor presentations will entail donor visits in assigned locations across the United States, including but not limited to Northeastern States, Midwestern States and West Coast.
9. Identify appropriate funding opportunities and prepare effective proposals and/or high-quality presentations to assigned donors.
10. Update Holt International’s donor database by recording all appropriate donor cultivation activity in a timely manner.
11. Create donor interest in Holt International’s programs by recruiting and coordinating Focus Teams.
12. Plan Focus Trips to achieve specific donor development objectives in which major donors and donor prospects will be carefully selected and invited to visit certain overseas program locations with a view toward securing funding for the project.
13. Sustain credibility with donors by performing agreed-upon follow up activities in a timely manner and assisting donors with stock gifts, donor-advised fund gifts, planned giving, and estate planning programs.
14. Occasionally participate in public speaking engagements and events that spread to word about Holt International’s mission.

Operations and Strategy

1. Use influence of the Board members, President/CEO, Vice President of Development, International Programs Directors and other Holt International staff as appropriate by including them when making key calls on prospective and current donors.
2. Exhibit cooperative and effective work relationships, such as, responding positively to challenges, assignments, and inter/intra departmental requests and seeing beyond own tasks to help fulfill the organizational goals in order to contribute to team effort.
3. Contribute to a positive and productive work environment by meeting attendance and punctuality guidelines and pre-arranging time off with appropriate notice, treating all people with dignity and respect, and exhibiting good listening and comprehension skills including giving and welcoming feedback.
4. Facilitate team skill development by providing clear, behaviorally specific feedback and by making or eliciting specific suggestions for improvement in a manner that builds confidence and enhances results that can be effectively tied to budget forecasts.
5. Ensure efficient and accurate receipt processing in a timely manner. Analyze donor acknowledgement system regularly to increase cost-effectiveness, efficiency and overall donor satisfaction.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful candidate utilizes experience in development, marketing and fundraising practices and is skilled at managing teams for effectiveness in order to achieve goals and objectives. Needs to be able to develop department fundraising strategies and plans. Must have a demonstrated ability in planning and developing strategy and be proven in meeting deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS):

A strong passion for Holt International’s mission and drive to create awareness and grow funding pathways through major gifts. At least three or more years of prior experience in major gifts, donor relations, fundraising, or related experience in fields such as sales, business development, and or marketing. Prior experience working with major donors is preferred. The ability to understand the principles of philanthropy and has demonstrated experience closing gifts at the $10,000 - $100,000 level.