Gift Officer

American Swedish Institute; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gifts Officer at the American Swedish Institute is responsible for managing a portfolio of 100–125 individual and corporate prospects and donors, and for collaborating with colleagues to achieve fundraising goals. This role supports a transformational capital campaign and reports to the Director of Development.

Strong writing, relationship building, and organizational skills are essential. Hybrid work arrangement with occasional evenings or weekends as needed, and a dedication to DEAI

Qualifications

• Minimum three years’ experience in a large or mid-sized fundraising program.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts from individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to connect with different audiences and build long-term relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 100–125 individual and corporate prospects and donors.
• Build and strengthen ASI’s fundraising capacity through a culture of philanthropy and donor engagement.
• Partner with the Director of Development to create and execute strategies to inspire businesses to invest in ASI.
• Collaborate with internal partners to create a holistic donor engagement experience.
• Document all prospect and donor interactions with detailed contact reports.
• Report on performance and progress toward goals.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Communication

Writing & editing

Relationship building

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field

Tools

Blackbaud CRM (Altru or Raiser’s Edge)

Job description

Description

Division/Department: Development

Reports to: Director of Development

Compensation: $80,000

Educational Requirement: None

Exempt or Nonexempt: Exempt

Hourly or Salaried: Salaried

Hours Per Week: Full-time; 40 hours

Hybrid or On Site: Hybrid

Language proficiency: English. Proficiency/familiarity with another language is a plus but not required.

Schedule: Mon-Fri; weekends/evenings as needed

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Gifts Officer is responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of individual and corporate prospects and donors. The Gifts Officer collaborates with colleagues across ASI to fulfill the organization’s fundraising goals and is part of the team that will execute a transformational capital campaign.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of 100–125 individual and corporate prospects and donors
• Build and strengthen ASI’s fundraising capacity through attention to a culture of philanthropy, identifying new prospects, and cultivating donor and sponsor relationships
• Partner with the Director of Development to create and execute strategies to inspire businesses to financially invest in ASI
• Collaborate with internal partners to create a meaningful and holistic donor engagement experience
• Document all prospect and donor interactions by entering detailed contact reports to ensure accurate relationship tracking and seamless communication
• Report on performance and progress towards goals

Other duties as needed or required

• Perform other duties as needed or required which are within the position's scope.

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) are core functions of all positions at the American Swedish Institute. While some roles may have more specific responsibilities, the items below are a part of everyone's responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a commitment to DEAI through continuous personal development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing personal bias to help cultivate and promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging for all staff.
• Proactively work on your own and collaboratively with other staff to ensure equitable and representative experiences for all visitors and program participants.

Requirements

REQUIRED

• Minimum three years’ experience working in a large or mid-sized fundraising program
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts from individuals
• Demonstrated ability to connect with different audiences and build long-term relationships that positively impact organizations
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with close attention to detail
• Excellent writing and editing skills, and strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to work non-traditional work hours as needed for donor programming and events, including occasional weekends

PREFERRED

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field.
• Experience working on a capital campaign
• Experience working in Blackbaud CRM (Altru or Raiser’s Edge)
• Interest in Swedish/Scandinavian cultures

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; bend, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and equipment, and furniture, up to 25 pounds, move over uneven surfaces and lift objects overhead.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the staff member assigned to this position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

OUR MISSION:

The American Swedish Institute’s mission is to inspire curiosity, embrace creativity, and grow community by exploring the past, present, and future of Swedish culture.

OUR VISION:

At ASI, we envision a future where communities, connected by stories and ideas from near and far, find inspiration and build a shared future.

OUR VALUES:

Relationships: The relationships we cultivate, both locally and globally, are at the core of our work. We build bridges across cultures and generations as we foster community and sustain lasting relationships over time.

Diversity: We believe that communities that hold and embrace diversity and change are vibrant, joyful, and resilient. We engage with the complexities, creativity, and impacts of the interconnections among cultures and histories.

Curiosity: We believe that being open to reflection, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas can lead to innovation and transformation. We offer unique, varied experiences that pique curiosity, invite participation, encourage new ways of thinking, and deepen learning.

Stewardship: We value our individual and shared histories, honoring what has come before while remaining open to what is to come. We preserve this historic site and cultural center as well as the heritage, practices, and artifacts of Swedish and Swedish American cultures so all generations may explore and be inspired by them.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The American Swedish Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status, sex, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.