United States of America: Major Gifts Officer
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 02 Oct 2013
Part-Time, Major Gifts Officer
Organizational Background:
Grounds for Health is an international non-profit based in Waterbury, VT. Since 1996, Grounds for Health has collaborated with partners to create sustainable cervical cancer prevention programs in coffee growing communities in Latin America and Africa. Cervical cancer, though preventable, is the #1 cause of cancer death throughout most of the developing world, claiming more lives than childbirth. Women who die from cervical cancer do so at the height of their productivity.Current Grounds for Health programs exist in Nicaragua, Peru and Tanzania. 90% of funding comes from companies working in the coffee sector including importers, roasters and/or retailers. For more information on the program, visit www.groundsforhealth.org
DESCRIPTION:
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for securing major philanthropic investments in support of the mission and objectives of Grounds for Health. The Major Gifts Officer position requires a seasoned, focused, and dedicated senior development professional with a track record of cultivation and stewardship of individual and corporate/multinational donors with five and six -figure gift capacity. The MGO will have an operational understanding of the strategic role that philanthropy plays in helping an organization/individual/company meet their overall corporate sustainability goals and sustainability reporting requirements.
The Major Gifts Officer will work collaboratively across all parts of the organization and develop relationships with board members and staff, as appropriate, to stimulate or increase major gift fundraising. The position, initially envisioned as a 2.5-3 day per week position, will be directed from office in Waterbury, VT. Some telecommuting may be acceptable. Salary commensurate with experience. Some benefits do apply.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Work with the Development Director to establish and implement a strategy to identify, educate, cultivate and solicit major individual and corporate donors to contribute significantly to major gifts revenue and program growth.
• Set goals and create and follow individualized communication plans reflecting the modern corporate sustainability initiatives of major organizations
• Collaborate with the Development Director, the Executive Director, the Board and program staff at Grounds for Health as appropriate and necessary
• Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle:
o Initiate contacts with potential leadership and major gift donors
o Develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers
o Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
o Make solicitations when appropriate
o Maintain stewardship contacts with donors; adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the donors
• Apply visionary and strategic thinking to create more purposeful interaction between donors and Grounds for Health staff and programs in order to grow more fruitful donor relationships.
• Work with the Development Director and Executive Director ensuring collaboration between direct mail, foundation, corporate, and planned giving efforts.
• Record donor interactions, relationships and other relevant information in the donor database in accordance with database policies and procedures
QUALIFICATIONS:
• A true interest in Grounds for Health’s mission.
• Must have a strong background and successful track record in major gift development
• Bachelor’s degree, Masters preferred: and a minimum of five years experience in major multinational or related fundraising
• Must have operational knowledge of corporate sustainability strategies, preferably with an understanding of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for corporate sustainability reporting
• Track record of effective donor stewardship and ability to close gifts from both individuals as well as companies in the five and six figure range
• Effective interpersonal skills, excellent boardroom presentation style, and solid strategic writing skills,
• Proven expertise in building and maintaining genuine relationships with diverse individuals; at ease discussing a range of personal issues that are important to donors; skilled at identifying or helping donors to articulate their philanthropic goals.
• Self-motivated individual who relishes problem solving and exudes energy and initiative.
• Creative thinker who is adept at connecting people with their passions and motivating them to act on their philanthropic interest in Grounds for Health.
• High degree of comfort interacting with people of wealth and discussing complex, sensitive issues of personal and family finances
• Ability to “make the ask.”
• Willingness to travel (i.e. donor visits, trade shows) as necessary combined with the ability and commitment to nurture donor relationships effectively from a distance.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve goals and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in the use of PowerPoint for effective, strategic presentations to high level decision makers a must.
• A proficiency in Word and Excel; experience with donor tracking and/or database software is required..
How to apply:
send resume and letter of interest to Amanda@groundsforhealth.org
