Development Officer, Major Gifts

About the Individual Giving & Special Events Team

New York Cares’ Development Team raises $9mm+ annually from a portfolio of generous donors and institutional funders. The Development Officer, Individual Giving will join a team of five fundraising professionals focused on individual giving and special events, ultimately raising $4mm+ via an Annual Gala, a Soiree, and myriad fundraising campaigns and initiatives. We are a collaborative group that is always looking for new ways to tell New York Cares’ story and improve our fundraising strategy. We also manage a Young Professionals Committee (“Rising Leaders Council”), a Family Council, and a major donor society (“Leadership Circle”).

About the Development Officer, Major Gift

sWe are seeking an experienced fundraiser who excels at building strong relationships and developing creative appeals and proposals that align with donors’ philanthropic interests. The Development Officer, Major Gifts will own the engagement and stewardship strategy for all major donors (>$5,000 in annual donations) and major donor prospects at New York Cares and directly manage a portfolio of ~200 relationships. The successful candidate will be a natural salesperson. They’ll be organized, energetic, and put a high value on spending time with current and prospective donors. If you are looking to join a motivated team that prioritizes donor engagement and data-informed stewardship, this role is for you.

Key Stakeholders

The Development Officer, Major Gifts is New York Cares’ lead strategist for donors who give >$5,000 annually. The Major Gifts Officer will work closely with the New York Cares Program staff and technology team to 1) develop compelling cases for funding to present to donors, and 2) build out expansive donor profiles to customize outreach and create valuable experiences. The Development Officer will report to the Director of Development, Individual Giving & Special Events with room to grow a Major Gifts department over time as the portfolio develops.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive engagement strategies and manage customized stewardship plans for all major donors and major donor prospects to raise funds for New York Cares’ general operations and programs.
• Manage a portfolio of ~200 major donors and major donor prospects, executing engagement and stewardship plans to build stronger relationships, retain donors and upgrade gift amounts. In addition, the Development Officer will be responsible for portfolio strategy, ensuring that all major donors and major donor prospects are appropriately assigned to other relationship managers at New York Cares
• Manage and assess donor tracking systems to1) track donors and prospective donors through the sales pipeline, 2) the efficacy of fundraising tactics and messages, and 3) portfolio performance.
• Regularly review processes and identify opportunities to streamline operations in order to maximize the amount of time portfolio managers are able to spend directly interacting with major donors and major donor prospects, leveraging technology, automation and data.
• Maintain, evaluate, and iterate on New York Cares’ major donor prospecting model with the aim of identifying donors from the <$5,000 portfolio who have potential for growth and teeing them up for deeper, more customized engagement.

This list is not an exhaustive job description. Additional duties may be assigned as needed

Qualifications

Successful candidates will be highly-motivated self-starters who have an aptitude for communication and story-telling, possess a collaborative spirit, and take a data-driven approach to decision-making, and:

• A Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of experience (or high school equivalency and 5+ years’ experience) in a fundraising. Experience securing five- and six-figure gifts preferred.
• Superb communication skills, with experience tailoring messages to suit intended audiences and compelling readers to act. Can use outstanding grammar and copywriting to create a variety of written materials that support fundraising efforts.
• Excellent project management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and plans work activities, use time efficiently, follow instructions, and responds to management direction.
• Ability to analyze and use data and metrics to shape goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Understand social nuances, practices, and world views of people of various backgrounds, identities, and cultures. Leverages that understanding to effectively interact with people of diverse communities.
• Possesses a strong future-orientation and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Experience using Salesforce, Mailchimp, Apollo, and/or similar technical systems preferred.
• People management experience a plus

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5+ years of fundraising, sales, business development, or relationship management experience.
• Demonstrated success securing gifts, investments, or revenue commitments of $5,000 or more.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills
• Ability to build trust and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor meetings and events.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing a major gifts portfolio in a nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of moves management and donor-centered fundraising practices.
• Experience working with board members, executive leaders, and volunteer fundraisers.
• Familiarity with donor research and wealth screening tools

Benefits

• Hybrid schedule: In office Mon/Tue/Thu. Remote Wed/Fri
• 11 paid holidays + 3 floating holidays
• Paid time off: 12 days in year 1 + paid last week of Dec. 18 days in year 2
• Paid sick leave
• Health & wellness coverage: medical, dental, vision (80% employer-paid), plus life & disability insurance
• Retirement & tax-advantaged accounts: 403(b) plan, flexible spending accounts, transit reimbursement.

Work Environment

• Hybrid schedule with three days in the office weekly.
• Conduct external partner site visits.
• Support occasional program events in the evenings and weekends as needed