Development Gift Officer

Job Description

Job Description

The Gift Officer reports to the Director of Major and Leadership Gifts and will work with the Development team to achieve its fundraising goals through the personal cultivation and management of a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of giving $10,000 and above annually. 

 

The creation of solicitation letters, proposals, donor briefings, and data tracking will play an important role in this position. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. The incumbent will work collaboratively with internal colleagues to build upon an existing pipeline of identified prospects and upgrading members and current ticket buyers capable of becoming annual WNO Major Gift donors. 

 

An eagerness to communicate with the Development team and problem-solving with a positive attitude is essential. The Gift Officer will join a highly collaborative fundraising team, within which each individual--in addition to working on their focused assignments--participates in broad strategic planning and supports colleagues as needed to achieve the department’s goals. 

 

The Gift Officer manages their time, resources, and workload to maximize productivity and financial results; exercises discretion; evaluates complex internal and external relationships; and regularly takes initiative to advance the objectivesand goals of multiple campaigns 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  

 

• Oversee a portfolio of trustees and high-level donors, managing their philanthropic engagement and stewardship, with demonstrated success in direct solicitation of gifts $10,000 and above. 

• Actively solicit and steward portfolio through in person meetings, telephone, email, and written communication, personalizing donor interactions and using research and donor-centered best practices to engage with their portfolio regularly. 

• Prepare timely and accurate written communication. Organizes and develops solicitations and acknowledgment materials; Ensures accuracy of all billing, finances, and contributions. 

• Conduct strategic prospect research to identify, qualify, and prioritize new major gift prospects, ensuring a healthy and growing major donor pipeline. 

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving prospects within the assigned portfolio, incorporating charitable gift planning strategies into donor conversations when appropriate. 

• Collaborate with development colleagues to identify blended gift opportunities that combine current major gifts with deferred gift commitments to maximize donor impact and advance organizational fundraising priorities. 

• Track campaign data and donor interactions to inform future fundraising strategy with a commitment to clean and accurate record keeping. 

• Create opportunities to secure undesignated funds as well as designated opportunities when they have the potential for attracting major gifts.

• Proactively contribute to
  growing a national fundraising campaign to capitalize on the momentum of support for WNO’s new chapter. 

• Steward portfolio through all WNO events. 

• Help manage one-off cultivation events hosted by trustees and major donors. 

• Maintain accurate donor records and gift documentation in the organization’s CRM database, to track donor interactions, solicitations, and gift commitments. 

• Actively promote a collegial and collaborative working relationship with all WNO colleagues. 

 

  QUALIFICATIONS  

 

• Bachelor’s degree or applicable professional experience. 

• Minimum of 3 years in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on individual giving. 

• Experience in soliciting and closing gifts of $10,000 or more from individual donors preferred. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, stakeholders, and community leaders. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate WNO’s mission, programs, and impact to diverse audiences. 

• Knowledge and training in fundraising principles, development trends, and non-profit management. 

• Experience developing and implementing specific fundraising strategies with timeliness and success while maintaining flexibility as the needs of donors and the priorities of Washington National Opera changes. 

• Experience with a nonprofit CRM database is preferred. 

• Careful attention to detail and knowledge of standard accounting procedures 

• A clear understanding of Washington National Opera’s mission, and a nuanced understanding of the ways in which a fundraising operation works within a performing arts institution. 

• Ability to deftly manage many relationships and personality types, both internal among staff members, and external among constituents.
  
  
  
   

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to attend donor events, performances, and meetings as needed. 

• Knowledge of opera is a plus, but a passion for the performing arts is essential.