Major Gifts Officer (Chicago)

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

IDEA (Islamic Development & Empowerment in America) seeks a Major Gifts Officer to cultivate a portfolio of major donors, identify new prospects, and lead personalized engagement efforts that deepen support for IDEA’s mission.

You will work with regional leadership and staff to design donor-centric proposals, organize events, and report impact to stakeholders. 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising and CFRE preferred, with strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• CFRE certification preferred.
• 5 years fundraising experience for nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated success in prospect identification, relationship building, donor solicitation, portfolio management and stewardship.
• Strong written and oral communication, with diplomacy.
• Experience leading face-to-face meetings and soliciting funding.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of major donors and qualified prospects.
• Develops strategies for identifying new donors and cultivating current donors.
• Implements fundraising strategies for individual and major gift campaigns.
• Develops donor engagement plans in coordination with leadership.
• Manages annual major gifts operating and revenue plans.
• Coordinates with internal teams for donor events and briefings.
• Travel and meet with donors, approximately 50% in person.
• Writes proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Maintains accurate donor activity records in the CRM.
• Stays informed about IDEA campaigns and humanitarian issues.
• Represent IDEA at donor meetings and fundraising events.

Skills

Donor relationships

Portfolio management

Solicitation

Strategic planning

Event coordination

Salesforce

Google Workspace

Travel coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CFRE certification preferred

Tools

Salesforce

ClickUp

Google Workspace

Job description

The Major Gifts Officer manages relationships with current and prospective major donors to generate revenue and deepen support for Islamic Development & Empowerment in America (IDEA)’s mission. Reporting to the Regional Manager, the Major Gifts Officer identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors through personalized engagement strategies, meetings, proposals, and other meaningful outreach. The role works closely with regional staff, organizational leadership, volunteers, and cross-functional departments to grow the major-gifts pipeline, strengthen donor relationships, and advance IDEA’s fundraising and community-development goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Manages and grows relationships with a portfolio of major donors and qualified prospects.

Develops and implements strategies for the identification of new donors, and for the cultivation and stewardship of current donors through appropriate personalized outreach initiatives.

Implements fundraising strategies from individuals through major gift campaigns, personal cultivation/solicitation, planned giving vehicles and special events designed for individual donors.

Contributes to major-gifts strategy and develops individualized engagement plans for assigned donors and prospects in coordination with the Regional Manager and appropriate Fund Development leadership.

Develops and manages the major gifts annual operational and revenue plans in conjunction with the regional team’s annual plan.

Coordinates and liaises with other Fund Development team members,executive management, and other relevant departments regarding relationship building and donor cultivation events, including briefings, private and public presentations, and special events to provide a source of targeted funding.

Contacts and meets with prospective and current donors through personal or virtual visits, spending approximately 50% of time meeting with active and prospective donors.

Participates in and assists with the regional development strategy and community outreach.

Liaises with consultants and external contacts to progress and facilitate corporate giving and like strategies.

Works closely with executive management and fund development staff to ensure that major donors are acknowledged in a personal and time-sensitive manner and receive appropriate stewardship and impact reporting.

Writes and/or edits proposals, reports, acknowledgements, briefings, and letters to donors and prospects, pledge reminder letters and other documents.

Maintains and provides accurate records of all donor-related activities, engagement strategies, opportunities, and personalized notes.

Maintain familiarity with IDEA’s current campaigns, programs, projects, talking points, and relevant humanitarian and development issues.

Serves as a well-informed representative and advocate for IDEA at donor meetings, community events, fundraising activities, masajid, and other regional activities as assigned.

Performs other related duties as necessary.

Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE certification is preferred

5 years successful fundraising experience for nonprofit organization(s), preferred.

Must excel in working with high net-worth individuals, families and businesses, and have the ability to compel investment in IDEA’s mission.

Demonstrated successful experience and effectiveness in prospect identification, relationship building, donor solicitation, portfolio management, and stewardship.

Strong ability to communicate (written and orally) persuasively and strategically, with tact and diplomacy as necessary.

Ability to lead face-to-face meetings and the confidence to solicit funding using effective and appropriate language.

Experience in writing effective proposals, summaries, and reports and updates for fundraising purposes.

Strong collaborative skills and ability to contribute to the team environment.

Confident and technical proficiency in Google Workspace; familiarity with ClickUp or similar platforms is preferred.

Strong organizational and project-management skills that exhibit proven ability to follow through and follow up appropriately on assignments, and that exhibit strong time management skills.

Ability and desire to work independently and collaboratively to accomplish goals and projects.

Understanding of key international and national current events/political issues that affect humanitarian aid and development work.

Strong research skills along with proficiency in database and membership management.

Experience in using Salesforce or similar fundraising database or CRM preferred.

Ability to travel independently within the assigned region and occasionally nationally as required.

Availability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during events and campaigns.

Must be eligible to work in the United States.

At IDEA (Islamic Development & Empowerment in America), we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IDEA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Integrity, Service, Resilience, Social Innovation, and Collaboration. In accordance with these values, IDEA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.