Major Gifts Officer-ACLUF of Northern California
October 17, 2012
MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Application Deadline: November 30, 2012, although applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California (ACLU-NC) seeks experienced applicants for a full-time Major Gifts Officer to help expand our major gifts efforts, taking lead responsibility for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and ongoing stewardship of a portfolio of major gifts donors and prospective donors. The Major Gifts Officer will spend a significant amount of time in direct interaction with donors, securing meetings and soliciting gifts. The Major Gifts Officer reports to the Deputy Director of Development, works within a team of major gifts-focused colleagues, and has administrative support.
Responsibilities:
The Major Gifts Officer will work with a team of colleagues to cultivate and solicit the ACLU’s top donors and prospective donors in Northern California. The Major Gifts Officer develops, manages, and solicits a portfolio of donors and prospects at the $10,000 plus giving level to ensure that they are inspired by the ACLU’s mission and engaged in supporting the organization. S/he will work closely with other members of the ACLU-NC’s ten-person development department, the Executive Director, development colleagues at the national ACLU, and volunteer solicitors, as well as with program and finance staff to develop strategic and targeted giving opportunities for major donors. Essential responsibilities include:
- Design and implement effective tailored solicitation, cultivation and stewardship plans for donors and prospects in assigned portfolio, utilizing a moves management approach.
- Identify and research potential individual $10,000 plus level donors, including new prospects and donors targeted for upgrade or renewal.
- Assist in the identification of potential leadership volunteers and other natural partners to engage in major gifts outreach.
- Write proposals, follow-up letters, and introductory letters, and prepare background information and materials for cultivation and solicitation activities as needed.
- Directly solicit major gifts and partner with senior and program staff and/or volunteer solicitors in making solicitations.
- Plan and implement major donor-related cultivation events and activities and participate in department-wide events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of five years experience in nonprofit fundraising, with progressive responsibility and a proven track record of soliciting and stewarding donors resulting in gifts in the $25,000 plus range.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with donors.
- Knowledge of development principles, fundraising strategies and ethics, and familiarity with “moves management” donor tracking systems.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and presentation skills with the ability to represent the ACLU’s mission and programs. Demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece. Familiarity with utilizing litigation to promote social justice is helpful.
- Ability to talk with people about financial issues and philanthropy.
- Experience effectively managing, coaching, and supporting volunteer “face-to-face” solicitors.
- Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines.
- High energy, personal initiative and a sense of humor. Friendly, outgoing and collaborative approach and a strong team-oriented style.
- Ability to develop long-term plans, set objectives, and track progress towards achieving objectives.
- Proficiency with office technology and information systems (including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and donor databases, preferably PIDI Donor Direct.
- Must be available for travel within Northern California and some weekend and evening responsibilities.
- Passionate about civil liberties and civil rights.
- Experience planning major donor cultivation events preferred.
Compensation:
Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members and their dependents and spouses/ domestic partners; life and long-term disability insurance; defined contribution plan with employer match; and thirteen paid holidays.
To Apply:
Please mail a resume and cover letter describing 1) your interest in this position, and 2) the ways in which you satisfy the qualifications specified above. Please also include a copy of one short piece that you wrote entirely, preferably for fundraising purposes. (If you submit a piece that you did not entirely write, please indicate the extent of input of others on it.) Please send these materials to the attention of:
HR/Development
Major Gifts Officer search
ACLU of Northern California
39 Drumm Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
or e-mail to HR-Admin01@aclunc.org.
About the ACLU of Northern California:
The ACLU is a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of Northern California was founded in 1934. It is the largest ACLU affiliate in the nation, with 50,000 members, 22 volunteer chapters and a staff of 60, including a legislative office in Sacramento. The ACLU Foundation of Northern California is the 501(C) (3) arm of the organization. The 10-person Development Department has the responsibility of raising about $5 million in annual support.
The ACLU-NC is proud to be an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are particularly urged to apply.