Major Gifts Officer

Position Summary  

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) contributes to the mission of Imagine Children’s Museum through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of 100+ major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and/or institutions  with a capability of five, six and seven-figure gifts.

Given the small size of the department, this role will require a versatile individual who is comfortable taking on multiple responsibilities across all facets of major gift fundraising, from strategy to execution. The MGO must be highly self-motivated, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This position requires substantial administration and record-keeping. The MGO oversees donor records, and is responsible for organizing, protecting and ensuring Museum data accuracy and usability. The MGO ensures that donor recognition is timely and appropriate, and actively participates in fundraising events. Finally, the MGO encourages an overall organizational culture of philanthropy, whereby every staff member recognizes opportunities to inspire giving and express gratitude for donor support.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities

Under general direction of the Chief Advancement Officer, the Major Gifts Officer will develop and execute an individual work plan aligned with Imagine’s fundraising goals and objectives. This plan will include quantifiable metrics of success and the following functions/responsibilities:

• Identify major donor prospects.
• Use independent research and prospect tracking tools, current membership/donor databases, wealth assessments, knowledge of the community, and personal experience, identify and qualify prospects with a gift capacity.
• Prioritize prospects as per likelihood of giving and their alignment with Imagine’s mission.
• Cultivate potential major donors.
• Engage potential donors with personal calls, meetings, and correspondence.
• Invite potential donors to Museum tours, programs, and events.
• Identify giving opportunities that fulfill organizational needs and would be of interest to the potential donor.
• Develop a planned giving program as an additional major gift opportunity.
  Solicit major gifts.
• Craft giving opportunities customized to the prospective donor; prepare proposals, briefs, and presentations to increase support at five-figure level and above.
• Discuss donor assets proficiently and listen for opportunities of donated stock, required minimum distributions, non-cash gifts, and/or planned gifts.
• Respectfully and confidently ask for major gifts.
• If declined because the ask is for the wrong amount, project, or time, develop an alternative opportunity that meets donor interest and requirements.
• Sustain donor stewardship in a cycle of giving.
• Express gratitude for each gift both personally and through an organizational protocol for donor documentation and recognition.
• Identify and execute subsequent stewardship steps to keep each major donor engaged with Imagine through personal calls and correspondence, periodic meetings, and invitations to Imagine events.
• Identify the timing, project, and ask for subsequent gifts to sustain the cycle of giving at increasingly higher levels.
• Manage donor portfolios.
• Divide major donors and prospects into manageable portfolios for leadership staff, optimizing personal relationships and existing connections.
• Articulate and manage the moves management sequence for each major donor or prospect to ensure regular, appropriate, and effective engagement.
• Work collaboratively with other departments.
• Work with the Grants Administrator and Development Assistant to ensure that donor records are accurate and that appropriate notes document the history of each donor’s engagement.
• Work with other staff to ensure that promised donor recognition is fulfilled through website and publication postings, signage, and other acknowledgments.
• Engage major donors and prospects at Imagine special events and fundraisers.
• Encourage an organizational culture of philanthropy.
• Support Board members, volunteers, and staff as philanthropy liaison to review and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Work with Imagine staff to help them recognize and thank major donors when the opportunity arises.
• Encourage Imagine staff to share encounters with donors and prospects that could inform stewardship and cultivation.
• Include appropriate staff in major gift solicitation or stewardship to help bring Imagine’s mission to life.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Proven experience soliciting major gifts at the five-figure level and above.
• Knowledge of and experience with development/fundraising concepts, techniques, and planned giving.
• Ability to build, maintain, and advance long-term relationships with board members, volunteers, and major donors/prospects.
• Experience, coursework, or other training relevant to best practices in charitable giving through capital campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving.
• Superior verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including effective public presentation skills in small and large groups.
• Superior writing skills that demonstrate clarity, precise messaging, and a compelling call to action.
• Ability to analyze research data to align donors with appropriate projects.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks/requests and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of gift-related policies/procedures and ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
• Experience in use of Constituent Relationship Management software, Donor Perfect preferred.
  Strong problem-solving ability.
• Success in working independently or as part of an innovative and high-energy team.
• Ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to attend Museum functions, including evenings and some weekends.
• Willing to travel throughout the Puget Sound region; valid Washington State Driver’s License required.
• Commitment to Imagine Children’s Museum Mission, Vision and Beliefs.

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum five years’ fundraising experience with proven results; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred

Supervisory Responsibility

None.