Major Gifts Officer

We are Girl Scouts of Orange County! We are nearly 15,000 girls and 9,000 volunteers and adult members who believe in the power of every girl to change the world. We are champions of girl ambition, fueled by our unstoppable drive to provide every girl, regardless of age, background, or ability, the life-changing benefits Girl Scouts provides her to dream big and do bigger. Girls need the connectivity and sisterhood that Girl Scouts provides for self-expression, discovery, community, and inclusion – now more than ever. And with programs in every OC zip code, we offer every girl fun and inspiring experiences to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Girl Scouts - building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer will design, develop and implement GSOC's major gift program to grow $25,000+ gifts. The MGO is responsible for building, implementing, and maximizing key fund development strategies and activities as it relates to individuals and family foundations. The scope includes identifying, researching, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding GSOC members, alum, staff, volunteers, as well as new and prospective individual and family foundation investors. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate GSOC's mission and vision is key, while helping donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with GSOC.

The MGO manages assigned fundraising initiatives to ensure the achievement of annual goals and objectives, including Promise Circle membership of $25,000+, capital, program, and annual campaign gifts of $25,000+, and the Juliette Gordon Low Society for planned gifts. MGO collaborates with the Fund Development team to implement industry best practices and improve processes. There is a high level of collaboration with the Fund Development Team, Board of Directors, Program Staff, and MARCOM.

Essential Responsibilities/Activities:

• Develop and implement individual giving and family foundation strategies to achieve annual campaign fundraising goals.
  • Create comprehensive annual plans to discover, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and family foundations through multifaceted fundraising strategies, stewardship, data management, and fundraising events.
  • Responsible for writing, reporting, and managing the family foundation grant portfolio.
  • Collaborate with Fund Development team to identify potential major gift donors from within membership and alum donors to grow engagement and pipeline for increased giving.
  • Tracks all activities and correspondence as part of moves management and donor record.
  • Achieves quota of face-to-face meetings with potential donors each month.
  • Partner with Fund Development Team to ensure quantity and quality of Wealth Engine and Major Donor Research Reports to support major gift goals.
  • Assist the board and other staff with their solicitation of major gifts (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications)
  • Acknowledge major donors through public and private recognition
• Collaborate with VP of Fund Development and CEO for GSOC Special and Capital Campaigns.
  • Collaborate on building the strategies and proposal materials for GSOC capital campaigns and capital need approaches for major gift individuals and major gift prospects.
  • Collaborate on working with special fundraising campaign teams for approaches and follow up with major gift donors or potential major gift donors.
  • Help design and implement cultivation and stewardship events for major gift capital campaigns and specialized campaign donors and volunteers.
• Promotes and strengthens GSOC's Culture of Philanthropy.
• Additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience with significant additional fundraising professional education and/or experience.
• 7+ years of experience with increasing responsibility in managing fundraising activities for 501(c)3 organizations.
• CFRE preferred, but not required.
• Experience in Individual Giving, Major Gifts, Family Foundation and Planned Giving outreach preferred.
• Good understanding of best practices in fund development and ability to apply them at GSOC.
• Demonstrated success in implementing fundraising plans and campaigns.
• Experience in relationship building and donor stewardship.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and achieve exemplary expense ratios.
• Experience in managing projects and volunteers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective proposal writing experience. Able to provide samples of written work.
• Proficiency in Raisers Edge/NXT or similar fundraising software.
• Experience with donor prospect software/databases.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office, internet research, and social media.
• Excellent problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Able to work collaboratively across departments to achieve all campaign and event goals.
• Excellent ability to multi-task, with the flexibility to respond easily to changing business demands.
• Community focused with a high level of energy and enthusiasm for building relationships with staff, volunteers and current & potential supporters of Girl Scouting.
• Active participant in professional, respectful and constructive organizational culture.
• Willingness to accept and promote the beliefs and principles of the Girl Scout Movement. Able to demonstrate and exemplify the qualities and actions outlined in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Current knowledge of Girl Scouting is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and teams, and willingness to work with people regardless of age, race, disability, religion, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.
• Licensed and insured California driver. Must be able to pass background screening, including driving records.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
• Bilingual preferred

GSOC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. GSOC is committed to a process of diversity, equity and inclusion.