POSITION TITLE: Major Gifts Officer
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Development
SUPERVISOR: Director of Strategic Partnerships
LOCATION: In office; Albuquerque, NM, with the potential for work to be performed remotely

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Strategic Partnerships, the Major Gifts Officer will participate in fundraising efforts to ensure that Native Forward has the financial resources it needs to fulfill its mission. The Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive major gifts strategy that includes identifying, cultivating, soliciting gifts, and expanding significant individual donor relationships, as well as the cultivation of planned gifts. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee development team members, as designated by the Director of Strategic Partnerships, by communicating job expectations, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results, coaching and counseling, and coordinating and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures.
• Manage a portfolio of 60+ major donors and prospects.
• Develop and implement strategies to raise support for the financial well-being of Native Forward from individuals to assure the sustainability of Native Forward’s programs.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors and prospects through visits and other forms of direct personal contact in accordance with performance targets set by the Director of Strategic Partnerships.
• Identify, assess, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts from individuals, using customized cultivation and solicitation strategies. Move major gift prospects through the development cycle from qualification to cultivation to solicitation to closing to stewardship.
• Identify prospects for major and legacy gifts for further cultivation from the Director of Strategic Partnerships, CEO, and board.
• Identifies, cultivates, secures, and stewards major gifts/investments in the form of endowments, estate gifts, annual gifts, internships, and event/program sponsorships.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s annual fundraising campaigns, including other general giving and special fundraising activities.
• Supports initiatives within annual giving from initial planning and coordination stages to implementation and follow-through. Participates in the success of these activities.
• Utilize prospect research tools to identify and qualify major gift prospects.
• Keep current on fundraising research, best practices, and giving trends.
• Record activities in the Donor database and provide timely reports on cultivation and solicitation actions
• Prepare major gift revenue projections for department management and report to the executive team and board.
• Assists in planning and implementation of events, as assigned, including invitation production, mailings, RSVP lists, event coordination, and personal support of the event(s).
• Writes, proofreads, and edits correspondence and materials for development. Draft solicitation proposals, reports, letters, and other correspondence.
• Assists in maintaining contact and donor databases and files.
• Provide executive-level support to other Native Forward team members in preparation for donor interactions, including briefing materials before meetings with donors and prospects.
• Develop and participate in strategic donor engagement opportunities, such as small events for select individual donors/prospects in the portfolio, trade show and conference receptions, public speaking engagements, larger donor recognition events; and service on prominent boards or committees.
• Track key relationship activity and progress. Create reports as required by management that accurately reflect progress toward strengthening relationships and increasing donor support.
• Maintains strict student confidentiality and compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act.
• Embodies Native Forward Core Values and promotes the Native Forward organization, staff, and programs positively and professionally.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results.
• Perform other duties as required. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in a related field preferred, Bachelor’s Degree required, plus five years experience in fundraising or other experience (e.g., sales or private banking) that demonstrates tenacity, creativity, follow-through, and strong relationship-building skills or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

A valid driver’s license is required. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Knowledge of American Indian History, culture, and tribes. 
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment 
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
  

  Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines. 

• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and coworkers at all levels. 

• Ability to analyze progress and make necessary adjustments throughout the cultivation process. 

• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment. 

• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action. 

• Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything and continually seek improvement in results. 

• Comfortable and confident engaging at the highest levels, and adept at influencing opinion and securing commitments. 

• Superior skills in building relationships and comfort in asking donors to commit their money, time, and/or energy to a shared vision. 

• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece. Experience in grant writing and business proposals. 

• Ability to discuss the role of education in promoting social justice and economic opportunity. 

• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully on the phone, via email/text, and in person with donors, board members, volunteers, colleagues, and the general public. 

• Proficiency with office technology and information systems. 

• High ethical standards, strict adherence to donor confidentiality, and genuine interest in developing authentic relationships. 

• Persuasiveness and perseverance in attaining goals. 

• Skills in operating business computers and office machines, including various software applications, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint). 

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee, occasionally, is required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required; Tight time constraints and multiple demands are typical. Travel will be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events. 

Please submit your letter of interest and resume to Careers@NativeForward.org.