Major Gifts Officer

Position Location: Remote applicants are welcomed

The Center for Popular Democracy/CPD Action is seeking a full-time Major Gifts Officer.

About CPD + CPDA

The Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A) work to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We currently work with more than 45 partner organizations in more than 38 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C., and build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a Major Gifts Officer. The Major Gifts Officer will report to the Deputy Director of Development.

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will help maximize financial gift support to CPD/A by seeking significant large contributions from High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), as well as from Family Foundations, B-Corporations, and other related entities.

The MGO is committed to offering exceptional fundraising services, knowledge, and counsel to donors, prospective donors, as well as to CPD/A leadership regarding the intersection of donors in our work. The position requires understanding of the current philanthropic and public relations interests of individuals, family foundations and a commitment to developing insight through research, networks, and regular contact with those individuals and organizations.

The MGO develops a moves management plan for each individual prospect and is responsible for coordinating donor engagement and education on the many CPD/A projects and campaigns.

The MGO will report to the Deputy Director of Development and will work closely with the development team to develop and execute fundraising strategies for HNWI, including but not limited to CPD/A-hosted donor visits, events/galas, and engagements at external events as well as individually-tailored proposals and stewardship. The MGO will take a lead in recruiting HNWIs for membership in CPD/A’s Strategic Partnership Council’, and/or other participatory structures. The MGO is expected to be a team player who takes initiative in supporting the work of all members of the development team in reaching fund development goals. The MGO will work with a high degree of independence, keeping the Deputy Director, the executive team, and other leaders informed of the HNWI donor landscape, major gift initiatives and strategies, and any unanticipated issues that may arise, together with potential solutions.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• The Major Gift Officer is responsible for growing and stewarding a portfolio of high net worth donors & donor prospects, raising funds towards annual goals, and growing the total raised from major donors annually. This includes identifying prospects, cultivating major gift donations, developing major gift solicitation strategies and growing major gift donor stewardship.
• Create and manage one-on-one meetings with high net worth individual donors and prospective donors.
• Research and analyze the donor landscape, communicate findings regularly, and develop strategies for targeted and differentiated approaches to engaging prospective donors and stewarding them through a moves management’ cycle.
• Support assigned campaigns in vision-planning and departmental communication with a HNWI conversion and stewardship focus.
• Build awareness of CPD/A in key private philanthropic circles and at conferences. Present on CPD/A frequently to small and large groups.
• Develop and host friend-raiser and fund-raiser events, with complementary strategies for donor development and conversion.
• Plan, execute, and manage donor cultivation and stewardship campaigns, to support the priorities of the organization as they relate to major gifts.
• Provide leadership and technical support to Donor Communications Manager and Public Affairs and Communications Team, in the development, design and writing of pitch and cultivation materials for distribution online and in print – including video narratives, PowerPoint presentations, and printed materials.
• Contribute to publishing and editing a quarterly donor communication for current and future donors as well as an internal audience.
• Travel nationally when opportune or necessary, with the ability to work some weekends and evenings.

Job Requirements

Extensive knowledge of of Fundraising:

• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of individual donor development and major gift fundraising.
• Major Donor’ experience is essential ideally 12+ years. Background in development, high net worth sales, financial advising, or strategic public relations is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of high-level project management.
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop relationships between them and the short and long-term goals and priorities of CPD/A.
• High level of initiative, creativity, and energy.

Ability to Power Through Challenges:

• Must be well organized, detail-oriented, and have proven experience in all aspects of prospect identification, moves management, and effective solicitation.
• Must be able to prioritize multiple assignments and handle complex tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiating and persuasion skills.
• Ability to motivate peers to meet ambitious goals.
• Humility, sense of humor, and a rock-solid commitment to racial equity principles, CPD/A’s vision and north star, and the communities we serve
• The ability to handle problems as they occur, and follow through on all aspects of the position.
• Willingness and ability to travel; ability to work some weekends and evenings.
• leads inside and outside the organization.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, under deadlines, without close supervision; self-direction in the initiation, coordination, and completion of tasks, acute attention to detail is essential.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize data and information from multiple sources and develop comprehensive recommendations.

Exemplary Communication Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in writing and strong communication skills. In particular, a candidate should have public speaking experience or skills, be able to represent CPD/A in a variety of settings, and possess exceptional strength in the area of donor relations.
• Ability to write and communicate well, clearly, and with a compelling voice aligned to the organizational mission and brand.
• Must be well organized, and have proven experience in all aspects of prospect identification, moves management, and effective solicitation.
• Must be able to prioritize multiple assignments and handle complex tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build strong relationships with various types of people, including senior Knowledge of Salesforce, MS Office, Google docs, and productivity software sufficient to function smoothly in a highly technology-based environment (including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and Internet applications.
• Bachelor’s degree required, relevant Master’s degree preferred.
• Be committed to CPD/A’s mission – Possess a commitment to racial equity, social justice, and community organizing. Be sensitive to the challenging dynamics of raising money for an organization fighting racial capitalism in a capitalist system, and comfortable navigating those dynamics.

Salary and Benefits

This is a union position. Salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years’ experience, location, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $90,000-$100,000 and category 4.

We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 14 vacation days per year, 10 sick days per year, 13 paid holidays per year, and contributions to individuals’ 401K plans.