Major Gifts Officer

Position Title: Major Gifts Officer **
Employment:** Full-time, Salaried, Exempt **
Location:** Chicago, IL Metropolitan Area or other major Midwest City **
Travel:** 50% in Chicago Metropolitan Area
Start Date: ASAP _
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__ ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 whose mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government. TPUSA believes that every young person can be enlightened to true free market values that include: the United States of America is the greatest country in the history of the world; the US Constitution is the most exceptional political document ever written; and, capitalism is the most moral and proven economic system ever discovered. With a presence of over 2,000 high school and college campuses, Turning Point USA is the largest and fastest-growing youth organization in America.

ABOUT THE POSITION:
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is an essential member of the Development team and is primarily responsible for engaging prospective and current donors in the Midwest Region to cultivate strong relationships and solicit gifts—ultimately helping Turning Point USA (TPUSA) reach its revenue goals to further its mission and programs. The MGO will be part of an active and dynamic fundraising team, specifically paired with a Donor Relations Officer in the same region that will assist with leads.

Through planned and targeted communication (phone calls, written communications, and in-person meetings) with individuals and some foundations, the MGO will foster personal relationships with active and prospective donors in the Midwest Region—inviting donors into a deeper relationship with TPUSA with the goal of increasing their giving to the organization. This position requires an affable, adaptable, personable, and high energy individual who thrives in meeting new people and engaging in wide-ranging conversations.

The Midwest Region MGO would be primarily focused on the Chicago Metropolitan area, but the region also includes qualified major donors in MN, IA, MO, OH, IN, MI, WI, ND, SD, NE, KS and IL.

The candidate must have a personal passion for the principles of freedom, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government, as well as be able to advocate persuasively for these ideas. The success of this position is dependent upon strong interpersonal and communication skills, an achievement-oriented personality, and organizational skills. Experience with nonprofit fundraising, soliciting gifts of various amounts, and a basic understanding of moves-management is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate, though not necessary, will have previous fundraising experience with conservative organizations.

Salary is commensurate with experience and includes bonus opportunities and a benefits package.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage a caseload 250 active and prospective major donors in a dedicated geographical region.
• Cultivate and solicit assigned donors, serving as the face of TPUSA to these individuals.
• Implement stewardship best practices and adhere to department policies and procedures.
• Identify, research, contact, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors.
• Utilize wealth screening information and other research to create individual cultivation and solicitation plans, with assistance from department leadership, for all active and prospective donors.
• Help draft or review solicitation and cultivation materials for assigned donor caseload.
• Analyze weekly online and direct mail donors from the region and thank donors accordingly.
• Review fundraising key performance indicators and revenue goals quarterly with supervisor.
• Track and monitor all activities in Virtuous database, using moves-management functionalities.
• Work closely with the team to achieve the department's fundraising goals.
• Assist with donor events and outreach, as needed.
• Travel to certain regional or national events, to meet with donors and donor prospects in-person and to represent TPUSA at conferences or seminars.
• Assist with other responsibilities, as needed.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
This position requires 3+ years of fundraising or relevant nonprofit experience. He or she will also:

• be in close personal alignment with the mission and principles of TPUSA;
• demonstrate high level of integrity;
• have a solid understanding of fundraising practices, particularly with major gifts;
• possess interpersonal maturity and strong relationship building skills;
• possess strong oral and written communication skills;
• be adept in managing multiple relationships and competing priorities;
• be able to work independently and manage time efficiently to meet goals;
• be a collaborative, adaptable, and flexible member of the team.
• have knowledge of Virtuous and/or other donor databases; and
• be able to travel 50% of the time throughout the Midwest region

All applicants will be subject to a background check and would be required to sign an NDA for employment