Major Gifts Officer

About LWVUS:

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought for nearly 100 years to improve American systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education, advocacy, and litigation. The enduring vitality and resonance of the League as a trusted force for change and good government comes from its unique decentralized structure: a national organization with strong partnerships at the grassroots level with more than 750 state and local Leagues across the country including the District of Columbia. At the national level, League activities are coordinated and staffed by two distinct but complementary organizations: The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF).

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Major Gifts Officer has primary responsibility for ensuring the prospecting, stewardship, and cultivation of major gifts.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Major Gifts 

• Develop and implement major gifts donor strategies that include identification, cultivation, solicitation, and retention for a portfolio of both current and prospective donors 
• Develop funding requests based on the goals of the organization for high net worth individuals and play a lead role in soliciting and closing major gifts  
• Manage and coordinate donor groups to cultivate and request new gifts 
• Execute major gifts materials including briefing memos, proposals and stewardship materials  
• Monitor activity on a regular basis to achieve major gifts revenue goals and assist with review and verification of major gift donor recognition lists  

• Annual Giving 

• Develop and implement strategies that include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and retention for the Leaders for Democracy program 
• Build relationships with the donors of the Leaders for Democracy program, educating them on League highlights, updates, and priorities 
• Monitor activity on annual giving prospects, donors, and goals to achieve annual giving goals 

• Planned Giving 

• Enhance and expand the existing planned giving program  
• Develop a strategy for planned giving engagement and education 
• Maintain and grow the relationship with Stelter, assisting in planned giving strategy and website redesign 
• Provide edits and insight into the digital and mailing planned giving campaigns 

• Budgeting 
  • Oversee the data input and distribution of the annual budget and future fiscal year projections 

• Data 
  • Oversee relationships and strategies related to Wealth Engine data metrics and report generation 
  • Help recommend and implement enhancements to the Salesforce platform, improving ease of use and functionality for development  

• Donor Relations/Stewardship/Other 
  • Collaborate with the Development and Communications Manager to identify potential prospects from the mid-level giving program 
  • Manage correspondence and database updates for donors in the portfolio 
  • Prepare program performance reports and provide analysis  
  • Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the League's mission and programs, maintaining collaborative working relationships with all departments to craft messages for potential major donor program sponsors and partnerships  
  • Other development functions deemed necessary 
  • Steward major gift, planned giving, and Leaders for Democracy donors with hand-written cards 
  • Respond to donor inquiries, questions, and issues in a timely manner 
  • Prepare data and highpoints for Board reports 
  • Assist and collaborate with all League and Development staff with tasks as needed. Support the League in events, rallies, and protests as needed

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: 

• At least three years of successful individual major giving experience in non-profit development, including fundraising for an advocacy organization. 

• Knowledge of the principles of major donor pipeline management and a successful track record of moving donors into higher giving brackets. 
• Experience developing tailored cultivation and stewardship plans that exhibit an exceptional understanding of others’ priorities, motivations, and interests. 
• Competency in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and donor relations. 
• Record of successfully engaging leadership and Board members in the fundraising process. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Deep understanding of Major Gifts prospecting and stewardship 
• Ability to travel with CEO to all donor events locally and outside of DC 
• Careful attention to detail in donor correspondence 
• Reliable, responsive follow up and proactive outreach 
• Ability to visualize and implement the growth of the development department 
• Familiarity with Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, and Salesforce 
• Willingness to operate in the “grey” as development transitions from manual to automated processes, and grows the team 

BENEFITS

We have a generous benefits package that includes 95 percent employer-sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, paid holidays, vacation days, sick days, pre-tax transit benefits, and the opportunity to contribute to a 401(K) plan.

This job position is based in Washington, DC.  

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please send resumes to [email protected] with “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. If you have questions about this position, please direct them to the same email. No phone calls, please.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The League of Women Voters of the United States is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace based on equal opportunity. The League is committed to hiring staff that reflects this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic identity; a workplace where true diversity is fostered, and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged. We encourage women, minorities, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. 

*

La Liga de Mujeres Votantes de los Estados Unidos está comprometida con un lugar de trabajo diverso e inclusivo basado en la igualdad de oportunidades. La Liga se compromete a contratar personal que refleje la gama completa de la raza, etnia, cultura, orientación sexual y la identidad socioeconómica de este país; un lugar de trabajo donde se fomenta la verdadera diversidad y se valoran e intercambian libremente diferentes perspectivas. Buscamos y alentamos activamente a las mujeres, las minorías, las personas con discapacidades, los inmigrantes, incluyendo los beneficiarios de DACA y las personas de comunidades tradicionalmente subrepresentadas, a aplicar.