Major Gifts Officer

Description:

As the Major Gifts Officer, you play a hands-on role in developing and maintaining the donor relationships that enable our bold vision for large landscape conservation in Canada and the United States. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and working within the individual giving and broader development teams, you plan and implement effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift givers and prospects, with a focus on soliciting individual donors.

This position should be based in a major urban area near an international airport. Ideally, positioned within or near the Y2Y region.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors (including those with capacity to give $10,000+), building strong, trust-based relationships (various channels and in-person) that lead to increased philanthropic support for Y2Y (gifts and bequests)
Develop and implement individualized donor strategies, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans, moving potential donors through ladder of engagement and making direct asks to support organizational priorities – ultimately with ownership of strategies from concept to completion, directly shaping outcomes that matter to our donors
Identify opportunities for complex giving, including gifts of assets, planned gifts, and other non-cash contributions; confidently discuss such giving and related donor recognition options
Work with Y2Y staff, leadership and advisors to gain a deep understanding of and package our program work, and to connect donors to the impact of Y2Y’s work and help build a culture of philanthropy, ensuring clear and timely communication and coordination across teams
Create and/or deliver effective and personalized communications to donors including letters, briefing notes, proposals, stewardship reports, and other targeted donor materials, and understand and use project budgets as needed
Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the donor database and follow established relationship management practices and training, demonstrating sensitivity in handling confidential information
Build and engage networks of ambassadors and volunteers as needed to support donor outreach and relationship-building
When necessary to advance a philanthropic relationship, plan and execute small donor focused events (no major events/signature programming)
Participate actively on internal and cross-functional teams and supervise/collaborate with support/administrative staff, interns and volunteers as needed
Ensure compliance with Y2Y policies, financial standards, and external (donor/legal/financial and ethical practices, including Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards)
Navigate effectively across U.S. and Canadian philanthropic environments, adapting strategies to different donor expectations and cultural contexts
Represent Y2Y and/or participate in donor and partner interactions, including complex or sensitive negotiations, and making key decisions within your area of expertise, with support available when needed; recognize that decisions and communications may impact the organization’s public image or commitments
Contribute to annual revenue targets of >$2 million (including major and planned gifts) and meeting goals for personal portfolio
Undertake frequent travel and, on short notice, work long and flexible hours as required, with an expectation of up to 120+ visits per year

Candidate Profile

Education, Skills & Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience (and expectation of 7+ years’ related experience in total)
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, family foundations and corporations, using listening skills and diplomacy
Experience designing and managing fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans
Track record of asking for and closing gifts of $5,000 or more
Well-organized with ability to manage/track multiple prospects and donors and handle related administration
Experience and preferably training in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of campaigns and major gifts (including non-cash gifts and planned giving)
Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping Y2Y meet its goals and to tie those interests with Y2Y’s work and inform them about appropriate giving vehicles
Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements would be an asset
Excellent communication and writing skills via presentations, conversations, and documents, including ability to persuasively convey the mission and programs of Y2Y to diverse groups and synthesize materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary
Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a geographically dispersed and multi-disciplinary team
Ability to act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems, including in situations that may have program-wide impact and bind the organization financially or legally; and address challenges promptly, communicating with transparency
Strong technical skills in MS Office365 (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint)
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience would be an asset