Major Gifts Officer

The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs have a unique employment opportunity for a Major Gifts Officer at our campus in Smithtown, NY. Our organizations are distinctive in the assistance dog industry providing both guide and multiple types of service dogs.

Overall Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Development (DOD), the Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will manage all aspects of the donor development cycle, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship of donors. The MGO must be flexible, with availability to work weekends and evenings as required for frontline fundraising activities. As part of the Development Team, the MGO will also contribute to executing the annual development plan to meet the organization’s budget goals.

Position Essential Functions:

• Oversee a portfolio of 110-125 major gift prospects and donors nationwide, with contributions starting at $10,000. Responsibilities include identifying, researching, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts.
• Develop successful strategies to increase donor engagement, revenue growth, and community awareness with the Director of Development (DOD) and Chief Development Officer (CDO).
• Create custom cultivation strategies for each person in the assigned portfolio based on the donor’s history of giving and the organization’s knowledge of that donor’s potential.
• Provide stewardship of donors who have made or committed to make a major gift.
• Maintain meticulous records of donor interactions, inputting information into the CRM database.
• Secure appropriate project information, including budgets, and create proposals and solicitations that will be used to secure major gifts.
• Plan and execute Major Donor Cultivation events as appropriate.
• Working with the DOD and CDO, identify potential donors for the Capital Campaign and solicit gifts toward the overall campaign goal.
• Work in a team environment to represent GDF/AVD and its mission.
• Attend events and meetings on behalf of GDF/AVD.
• Perform other donor activities, as required.
• Always be aware of safety rules and procedures. Ensure that the functions of this job are done in the safest possible manner and encourage co-workers to do likewise.

Role Specific Outcomes:

• Maintain and grow relationships with donors. Work with Leadership Team to identify organizational needs and work with donors to ensure all donor needs are met. Match donors’ philanthropic interests to the organizations’ funding needs.
•   Develop and implement a donor engagement plan to help build relationships. Act as the point of contact for the donor within the organization to address any questions or concerns that may arise.
• Schedule meetings/appointments with donors in your region as well as other areas when travel opportunities arise. Coordinate with donors on all details for each meeting. Maintain constant contact with donors through phone calls and face-to-face engagement.
• Meet and exceed dollar and donor visits/calls goals.
• Maintain an active schedule of moves management within your portfolio.
• Increase donor communications and interactions throughout the year.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

Position Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college (preferably in Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing or other related field).
• Knowledge of planned giving techniques and vehicles.
• 3 + years of demonstrated history of securing major gifts.
• Strong computer skills needed to utilize research tools and implement donor cultivation plans. Experience working with CRM databases necessary.
• Superior communication skills (oral, written, and listening).
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards, the MGO position is highly sensitive and requires impeccable personal and professional integrity and discretion.
• Up to 20% travel.

Physical Requirements:

Visual Acuity:

Near acuity and accommodation are required for ability to see and read text and copy of written materials for publishing and to read computer screen.

Hearing Ability:

Ability to interact with staff and public in an informal or formal way during events or public speaking.

Work Environment:

Employee is exposed to office, kennel, and residence environment, that includes animal hair and dander as well as cleaning and antibacterial cleaning solutions.

Additional Information:

The expected salary range for the position is $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year . The salary actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors.

Generous PTO including 3 weeks’ vacation, 6 personal days, 10 sick days, and 12 paid holidays

Comprehensive benefits package available