Major Gifts Officer

Treehouse, an innovative agency serving children in foster care, is seeking a full time Major Gifts Officer to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward individual donors of $1,000 and above.  Develop, implement and analyze strategic, donor-centered plan for a comprehensive major gifts campaign to achieve contributed revenue objectives. Manage a portfolio of major gifts donors and prospects. Develop and implement a solicitation strategy for each major gift prospect. Coordinate the participation of volunteer and staff in major gifts fundraising activities. Personally solicit donors face-to-face. Oversee donor cultivation activities and events. Participate in creating a comprehensive planned giving program.

The ideal candidate for this position will have a Bachelor's degree and at least three years of progressively responsible experience in development, with an emphasis on cultivating and personally soliciting major gifts, or equivalent relationship-building or sales experience. Candidate will have a proven track record of achieving fundraising or sales goals. Poised professional with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in writing, by phone and in person. Successful experience supervising and coaching staff. 

Salary range $54,000 – $60,000. Benefits offered. Position open until filled.   

Treehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

To apply, please send a cover letter referencing job title and resume to jobs@treehouseforkids.org (send as attachment) or Treehouse Human Resources, 2100 – 24th Avenue South, Suite 200, Seattle, WA  98144.  No calls, please.

Position Objectives:

• Identify, research, engage, solicit and steward individual major donors of $1,000 and above.
• Develop, implement and analyze strategic, donor-centered plan for a comprehensive major gifts campaign to achieve contributed revenue objectives.
• Serves as part of Development team to create to annual fundraising plan, programs, policies and budget.
• Supervise Donor Relations Coordinator.

Areas of Accountability

Strategy and Leadership

• Work closely with the Director of Development & Marketing to develop, implement and evaluate detailed major gifts plan to meet development goals.
• Track and analyze major gifts campaign performance, and makes recommendations to improve effectiveness.
• Oversee and guide the work of the Donor Relations Coordinator, including hiring, supervising, coaching and evaluating performance.
• Cultivate, Solicit and Steward Major and Planned Giving Donors
• Design and implement effective strategies for growing Treehouse’s base of support by acquiring, retaining and upgrading donors of $1,000 and above using moves management approach.
• Build strong relationships with current and potential donors by personally cultivating, stewarding and soliciting donors.
• Establish and manage cultivation plans for current and prospective major donors.
• Facilitate the Board of Directors’ participation in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and acknowledging annual donors of $1,000 and above.
• Identify and research individual donor prospects for general and special project funding.
• Work with Director of Development & Marketing to develop a comprehensive planned giving strategy.
• Identify and solicit potential planned giving donors.
• Oversee planning and implementation of cultivation and solicitation events for relevant donors with Donor Relations Coordinator.
• Manage the implementation of a year round point-of-entry series designed to inform prospective donors about Treehouse.  Intentionally follow-up with, engage, cultivate and solicit attendees afterward.
• Collaborate with the Event Manager to assure that major donor considerations are integrated into event planning and implementation.
• Staff committees of the board as needed.
• Serve as a spokesperson for Treehouse at donor and community events.

Major Gifts Administration

• Oversee major donor acknowledgement and donor benefits tracking systems.
• Oversee creation of  brochures, correspondence, donor benefits roster, acknowledgement letters, and other materials necessary for relevant campaigns.
• Maintain up-to-date donor data, both paper files and donor profiles in the Raisers Edge database, to ensure accurate accounts and records are kept on all donor outreach activities, solicitations, etc.

2009-2010 Key Deliverables

• Oversee campaigns to raise $780,000 in individual major gifts.
• Personally responsible for developing written cultivation and solicitation plans for major gift donors and prospects.
• Complete 30-50 face-to-face solicitations per year.
• Consistently and convincingly demonstrate to colleagues and volunteer leadership the role and importance of charitable giving and Treehouse’s mission.

Reports to:  Director of Development and Marketing

Qualifications

• Passionate fundraiser who is committed to giving foster kids a childhood and a future.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, with commitment to continuing professional development and education.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in development, sales or a directly related field.
• Experience in direct solicitation of major gifts from individual donors of $1,000+, or equivalent relationship-building or sales experience.
• Proven track record achieving fundraising or sales goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in writing, by phone, or in person.
• Poised, professional manner with the ability to work well with diverse individuals and personalities and the ability to handle and protect sensitive, confidential material.
• Ability to work independently, problem solve, take initiative, set priorities, handle multiple projects, and exercise good judgment in a fast paced, dynamic, deadline driven environment.
• Successful experience hiring, supervising, motivating and coaching staff.
• Experience in developing and tracking budgets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; significant Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.
• An ability to work flexible hours as necessary, including occasional evenings and weekends for events.
• Event coordination experience preferred.