Major Gifts Officer

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit (SVdPD) exists to build a more equitable and compassionate world through meaningful personal relationships, providing whatever is needed to help our neighbors prevent homelessness. Our programs provide support ranging from utility, housing and food assistance to education and mentorship programs. The Society also operates a network of thrift stores, two camps, food depots and a nutritional center. We are passionate about systemic change and helping neighbors throughout Metro-Detroit break out of poverty. We are currently looking to hire for our development team and grow as reputational leaders in homelessness prevention.

Position Summary

As a Major Gifts Officer (MGO), you will work closely with the CEO, development team and board of directors to secure funds for the organization by managing a group of assigned and qualified donors (caseload) assuring that as many as possible are retained as continuing donors to the organization and are upgraded in their giving and involvement.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Will qualify a caseload of 150 donors from a larger group of donors to the organization.
• Will create individual goals for each person on the caseload based on the donor’s history of giving and the organization’s knowledge of that donor’s potential.
• Will create a plan for each donor that will serve as a foundational communication and marketing plan for each person on the caseload. Will faithfully and on a timely basis execute that plan so that individuals on the caseload are retained and upgraded.
• Will work with program and the marketing team to secure appropriate project information, including budgets, and create offers, proposals and asks that will be used with persons on the caseload to secure gifts.
• Will create weekly/monthly reports that accurately reflects caseload activity and performance for review and coaching.
• Will perform other major donor activities as may be required.

Accountability - Performance will be measured by:

• Ability to qualify donors from the larger pool of organizational donors that meet the major gift criteria.
• Ability to create reasonable financial goals for each donor which is based on their giving and their potential
• Ability to create a personal contact and ask plan, that takes into account the individual donor’s interest, motivations, giving patterns and ask preferences, for each donor on his or her caseload in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Ability to retain and upgrade donors.
• Ability to secure project and organization information and create and write effective offers, proposals and asks. Ability to secure information that can be sent back to donors to report on how their money was used.
• Ability to create timely reports that reflect caseload performance.
• Ability to manage people, process, deadlines and budget while adhering to the policies and procedures of the organization.
• Ability to get along with peers, subordinates and management and maintain a positive and constructive attitude while solving problems. Ability to be a team player and protect the mission, goals and values of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Mission Fit: Understanding of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, its mission, and values.
• Background/Skills Fit: Minimum of five years’ professional experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven record of successful donor engagement.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree

For any questions, please contact Mary Lynn Donovan at: View email address on click.appcast.io