OTS 13-003

Leadership Gifts Officer

Posting Date: 2/7/2013
Closing Date: 5/31/2013

Job Overview:

The Leadership Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding prospective donors with large gift capacities. Manage all aspects of individual donor relations, including prospecting through existing mission-driven events or mailings, personal visits, targeted appeals and donor recognition events.

Collaborate closely with the Director of Development and Development staff on donor communication, cultivation and solicitation strategies. Identify gift opportunities that match donor interests; create relationships based on area(s) of A.R.E./A.U. they are most passionate about; solicit contributions. Manage a portfolio of 100-125 donors nationally and continually steward donors. Building and stewarding relationships with these A.R.E. members and donors is the heart of this position. Position reports to Development Director.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• With direction from Director of Development, will focus on donor gift strategy, proposal development, prospect/ donor visitation and related follow-up
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors with gift capacities of $25,000 or more
• Manage a portfolio of at least 100 prospects – visiting, calling, and maintaining relationships year-round
• Collaborate with the Development Director and Development staff, team, and volunteers to create a comprehensive donor plan that considers donor’s current capacity and interests, and offers multi-faceted options to maximize potential giving opportunities
• Responsible for traveling throughout Virginia and assigned areas nationally in order to maintain personal contact with prospective donors and A.R.E. members
• Coordinate prospect research program
• Generate status reports including progress report, activities and future calendar events; track and report progress to Development Director
• Work with Flock Leaders to help manage flocks
• Be familiar with the top fundraising priorities of A.R.E.’s various program areas
• Attend appropriate A.R.E. conferences, meetings, and fundraising events to initiate and deepen donor relationships
• On a regular basis, work with Directors and Managers to maintain a “menu” of tangible, quantifiable projects and associated price tags that can then be discussed with prospective donors as part of the C.R.E.A.T.E. comprehensive campaign; work to develop strategies for contacting and soliciting prospects for donations to their respective program areas
• Develop and share lists of prospective donors attending conferences and registered tour participants.
• Organize an annual or ongoing Board of Trustees “Thank-A-Thon”
• Other duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of three years of demonstrated successful experience in Development and/or closely related field
• Progressive experience in successful major gifts fundraising and Development strongly preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of philosophy and acceptance of the key principles in the Edgar Cayce readings, particularly the principles regarding health and healing, kindness and active patience with a service orientation is highly desirable
• Knowledge of charitable giving options, planned giving vehicles, effective major gifts/planned giving strategies and “best practices” in Development
• Exceptional verbal communications skills required; demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively required; strong closing and follow up skills required
• Ability to communicate the written and spoken word with tact, diplomacy, and authority when necessary; genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences
• Exemplary interpersonal skills, especially with the elderly, a must
• Comfort with discussing financial matters with high-net-worth individuals
• A high level of initiative, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly (up to 25%)
• Ability to positively interact both internally as a team member as well as externally with donors and members
• Must be energetic, self-directed, and able to work confidently and successfully
• Demonstrated proficiency with office systems: MS-Office required (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), online research tools, and fundraising databases, preferably Aptify and The Raiser’s Edge.
• Must have knowledge of prospect research options
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple priorities and deadlines
• Knowledge of and complies with all A.R.E./A.U. gift-related policies and procedures and ensure ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals
• High degree of emotional intelligence and maturity – demonstrating adaptability, engagement and enthusiasm
• A good sense of humor

Scope and Impact of the position:

• This position acts continuously as a representative of the A.R.E. as an organization; must project a positive image as reflected by the philosophy of the key principles in the Edgar Cayce readings
• Position has a major effect on revenues and the financials of the organization

Special Job or Training Demands:

• Successful completion of standard background check required.
• Position requires operation of a motor vehicle and reliable transportation; valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check for insurability purposes required.
• Travel will be required and represents up to 25% of monthly time commitments; flexibility to work evenings and weekends on occasion

Physical Requirements:

• Position will involve considerable travel; individual must be up for the rigors of plane travel
• Good physical stamina is necessary; on occasion, may require movement between buildings, including walking on uneven ground and using staircases in historical buildings without elevators