Major Gifts Fundraising Officer

Description

AGENCY OVERVIEW: 

The Action Center is leading an exciting and transformative initiative: the renovation and repurposing of a former Lakewood public school campus into The Daylight Collective, a collaborative community hub where multiple mission-aligned organizations can operate under one roof. The vision is simple but powerful—to design services around the needs of families, making it easier to access support, reducing barriers, and creating a more seamless experience for those seeking help. 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Action Center is currently hiring a Major Gifts Officer (MGO). This role is essential to the Agency, focusing on cultivating strong relationships with high-capacity donors who can contribute significantly in the coming year. The MGO supports various crucial fundraising initiatives, including the annual spring fundraiser, peer-to-peer fundraising, the school supply drive, the holiday gift program, Colorado Gives Day, and year-end giving campaigns. By fostering effective communication and personalized outreach, the MGO enhances donor engagement and helps advance the Action Center's mission.

Requirements

Major Donor Stewardship

• Manage and steward a portfolio of approximately 150 donors who have given between $2,000 and $5,000 in the last fiscal year
• Develop an individual donor stewardship plan to increase gift amounts by at least 25% in the next fiscal year.  
• Implement strategies to engage and retain major donors, including personalized texts and emails, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, community recognition, and access to exclusive networking and donor education opportunities.  
• Provide regular status updates to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) regarding pending and successful solicitation efforts, and actual-to-budget revenue goals for the assigned portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Provide facility tours for major donors or representatives of companies or other groups with high donor potential.
• Update data for portfolio donors in Donor Perfect, including contact information, personal notes, and outreach records. 
• Implement strategies to recapture lapsed donors with demonstrated major gift potential. 
• Build knowledge of planned giving strategies, including legacy giving, DAFs, IRA contributions, and other qualified charitable donations (QCDs)s in order to advise donors and participate in planned giving conversations. 

Events Support

• Solicit event sponsorships and paddle raise commitments from major donors and corporate partners.
• Provide technical advice and recommendations to the development team and the event planning consultant regarding vendor contracts, content, and the run of show. 
• Provide input into communications around events tailored to the needs of major donors and corporate sponsors.
• Collaborate with CDO and CEO to implement exclusive engagement activities for major donors.
• Support the planning and implementation of the Holiday Giving and School Supply events, especially through a major donor engagement and stewardship lens.

Development Team Support

• Coordinate requests for tours of the Action Center’s W. 14th Avenue campus and ensure that the appropriate staff are included. 
• Lead the development of monthly talking points to be used by all development staff for donor stewardship.
• Participate in networking events as a representative of the Action Center.
• Participate in team meetings, monthly all-staff meetings, and in one-on-one check-ins with the CDO. 
• Contribute to social media posts, particularly at community events and shout-outs for major donors or corporate sponsors.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years’ experience in fundraising/nonprofit work with a proven ability to secure gifts and meet objectives.
• Basic knowledge of fundraising concepts, strong communicator, and collaborative team player.
• Ability to navigate donor relationships and work independently, initiating contact with prospects.
• Exceptional writing and speaking skills to motivate individuals to take action.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and committed to following through on commitments.
• Ability to inspire engagement in our mission and vision, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Adherence to high ethical standards and sensitivity to donor needs.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and maintain professionalism.
• Creative and innovative mindset with strong computer skills in Google, MS Office, and donor software (like DonorPerfect preferred).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to lift 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work involves the normal physical activity associated with an office environment. May include setting up and taking down tables and displays, light lifting of equipment, conducting presentations, and participating in community committees with occasional night or weekend work and long days.

The Action Center’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on actual or perceived race, age, sex or marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability (including pregnancy), religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. The Action Center also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.