Gift Officer

American Bird Conservancy; Marshall (TX); Remote; USD 86,000; Full time

Job summary

American Bird Conservancy is seeking a full-time Gift Officer to raise funds for conservation efforts across the Americas. This role involves engaging with major donors, managing donor relationships, and promoting the Falcon Club. The ideal candidate will possess strong fundraising skills and a commitment to conservation.

Benefits

Medical and dental benefits

Flexible schedule

Paid vacation days

Employer-matched retirement savings

Lodging and meals for work-related travel

Qualifications

• At least three years’ experience in fundraising or equivalent.
• Experience in major gifts fundraising preferred.
• Strong writing skills and ability to communicate complex information.

Responsibilities

• Lead in raising general support funding through donor cultivation.
• Maintain a portfolio of Falcon Club donor files and CRM.
• Organize and participate in bird walks and events.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Research Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM databases

Job description

Full-time

Description

Title: Gift Officer

Supervisor: Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving

Location: Remote; or office space available in Marshall, VA or Washington DC

Salary: Estimated at $85,700; Based on experience

Application Deadline: June 13, 2025

Position Summary:

This is a full-time position with American Bird Conservancy (ABC). American Bird Conservancy is a fast-growing, results-focused nonprofit seeking employees with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a difference for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, ABC achieves lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet’s fragile climate.

The Gift Officer will raise general operating funds from individual major donors and private foundations, to advance conservation of wild birds and their habitats in the Americas. The Gift Officer will oversee, steward, and grow a portion of ABC’s Falcon Club (our major donor program) to provide annual general operating funds. This role involves working with the President, Vice President of Development, Membership Director, Director of Marketing & Analytics, and other ABC staff to identify, cultivate, solicit, and upgrade current and potential donors for major gifts. The Gift Officer will also help coordinate the ABC Ambassador program and recruit members for ABC’s planned giving program, the Legacy Circle.

The Gift Officer is supervised by the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving. The position requires frequent and personal contact with major donors and prospects, including planning and participating in field trips and events. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, success in securing major gifts and knowledge of fundraising best practices, an outgoing personality, initiative, discretion, and the ability to lead. The Gift Officer will be well-versed in ABC’s mission, objectives, and programs, and must be able to convey complex conservation projects clearly in both oral and written communications to a diverse audience. A commitment to conservation will make this position a rewarding experience.

Primary Duties:

1. Lead in raising general support funding for ABC operations through cultivation and solicitation of current and potential ABC members (general and Falcon Club) utilizing phone calls, email and mail correspondence, donor visits, and regular conservation updates.
2. With the Development Team, identify and target a diversity of prospects for Falcon Club membership from existing ABC members and from outside of ABC.
3. Assist the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving in conducting Falcon Club revenue analysis and projections on a regular basis with formal analysis at year’s end.
4. Maintain a portfolio of Falcon Club donor files, keeping up our robust Customer Relations Management (CRM) system, and setting up Moves Management plans for donors.
5. Assist with production of materials promoting the Falcon Club for ABC publications, website, digital marketing, and targeted mailings. Work with both Communications and Development Teams to produce scheduled appeals in publications and for special appeal campaigns. Assist in producing appropriate web content and other materials (brochures, etc.) related to fundraising, as needed.
6. Assist in coordinating ABC Ambassadors Program including, recruiting and orienting new Ambassadors and overseeing their involvement in events and projects.
7. Organize and participate in bird walks, birding festivals, and other events.
8. Assist with development projects as requested by the President and Vice President for Development.

Benefits:

• Excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and employer-matched retirement savings, flexible schedule, etc.
• Paid vacation days (starting at 15 days annually and increasing to 20 days after 1 year of employment), paid holidays (including both US holidays and additional ABC holidays) and sick leave.
• Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home.
• Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.

To Apply:

Please apply online at Paylocity:

If you have any difficulties uploading your resume and cover letter, then please send them as ONE document to [e-mail]

At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all of our employees.

As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree and at least three years’ experience in fundraising or equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Experience in direct response and/or major gifts fundraising preferred.

3. Proven track record of membership level upgrades and donor conversion.

4. Ability to work independently, efficiently, and diligently.

5. Good computer skills with the ability to master new software, CRM databases, and more.

6. Ability to work as a team member, utilizing the full strengths and capabilities of others to maximize potential for success.

7. Excellent interpersonal skills.

8. Attention to detail and organizational skills.

9. Strong writing skills. Ability to transform complex program information into clear, concise, and compelling text for a variety of audiences.

10. Persuasive communication skills and ability to influence others.

11. Ability to identify and seek needed information/research skills.

12. Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.

13. Willingness to travel.

14. Commitment to ABC’s conservation mission and objectives.

15. Authorized to work in the U.S.

16. Background screening required

Salary Description

Estimated at $85,700; Based on experience