Major Gifts Officer

Chicago Foundation for Women; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to enhance its fundraising efforts. This role is pivotal in managing relationships with major donors and implementing strategies for successful solicitation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in major gifts and planned giving, along with exceptional communication and planning skills. You will work closely with senior leadership and the development team to drive initiatives that support the mission of empowering women. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess the skills to engage and influence donors, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to contribute to meaningful change.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in major gifts and planned giving with a proven record of closing gifts.
• Experience with donor databases and wealth screening tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and develop solicitation strategies.
• Support major fundraising events and collaborate with stakeholders.

Skills

Major Gifts Fundraising

Planned Giving

Donor Relationship Management

Prospect Research

Excellent Communication Skills

Planning Skills

Confidentiality Management

Tools

Raisers Edge NXT

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Chicago Foundation for Women is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is thrilled to introduce the new President and CEO, who aims to significantly enhance the organization’s growth.

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) plays a crucial role in the Development team, focusing on achieving CFW’s major gift fundraising and planned giving program initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Donor and Community Engagement, the MGO will be responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective major donors and planned giving donors. This includes conducting prospect research and developing effective solicitation strategies, and stewarding donors throughout the major giving process. Additionally, the MGO will collaborate with our board members and senior leadership to coordinate and execute long-term fundraising initiatives and strategies to advance CFW’s mission.

Position Breakdown:

Donor Relations Management (60%)

• Maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects (securing major gifts at the $10K to $1M) as well as those donors and prospects that have the capacity to give at a higher level.
• Partner with the Director of Donor and Community Engagement to develop solicitation strategies for donors / prospects in support of the Foundation's annual fund and planned giving goals; ensure strategies are aligned to maximize opportunities with other existing appeals and campaigns.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for this portfolio of prospects, developing and implementing a written donor strategy and relationship record (using Raisers Edge NXT as the moves management platform) of all interactions.
• Communicate with portfolio through in-person interaction, solicitation, and stewardship meetings, and written strategies; ensure that each major donor and prospect has a clear strategy and timeline for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Effectively manage and support the participation of senior leaders, staff, board, and volunteers in fundraising, including cultivation and stewardship of donors to their programs.
• Support the fundraising efforts of the President and CEO, and Director of Donor and Community Engagement in securing new and renewed gifts.
• Collaborate with staff responsible for gift processing and finance to ensure proper recording, allocation, documentation, acknowledgement, stewardship, and analysis of major gifts and pledges.
• Manage end-of-year appeals ensuring deadlines, fundraising and budget goals are met.
• Work with Director of Marketing and Communications on all print and web-based supporting materials for planned giving programs and stewardship programs.
• Provide timely status reports and briefings to the Director of Donor and Community Engagement, and the President and CEO.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Database and Development to screen and prepare profiles of current and prospective donors; establish and refine benchmarks for department research and update processes as needed.
• Ensure proper donor recognition in all publications and oversee accurate donor lists for those publications.

Events (30%)

• Support the execution of Chicago Foundation for Women’s Annual Luncheon and other major fundraising events by developing compelling proposals best serving the donor as well as the revenue strategy of the Foundation. Work closely with the development team to determine appropriate sponsor benefits and monitor the receipt of benefits.
• Interface and work professionally with a diverse community of stakeholders, contributors, partners, and staff.

Other (10%)

• Attend and actively participate in required educational programs, and departmental and staff meetings.
• Protect CFW’s value by keeping information confidential.
• Update knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; maintaining networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in major gifts and planned giving, including the design, development, and implementation of a major gifts program, with a proven record of successfully closing gifts.
• Experience using a donor database, prospect research and other wealth screening tools to support moves management process.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and key stakeholders and build long-term relationships.
• Exceptional planning skills: goals, results and detail-oriented with the ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Understanding fundraising best practices, and donor prospect research and strategy.
• Ability to manage confidential matters with utmost integrity.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Raiser’s Edge, preferred.
• Passion for CFW’s mission.