Major & Planned Gifts Officer

The Major & Planned Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts from qualified individuals and for helping to build a more defined planned giving program for World Bird Sanctuary. This role requires exceptional interpersonal skills, a deep understanding of and interest in the organization’s mission, and a desire to help donors find their own passion for philanthropy through supporting the mission of the World Bird Sanctuary. They will work closely with the Executive Director and the development staff to implement strategies for increased giving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prospect Identification: Research and identify potential major donors – both existing donors/donor groups and new donors – who align with the organization’s mission and have the capacity to make significant gifts.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate strong relationships with prospective and current major donors through personalized communication, meetings, and events.
• Gift Solicitation: Approach qualified donors to request major gifts, effectively articulating the organization’s mission, case for support, impact, and funding opportunities related to the donors’ interests.
• Donor Stewardship: Nurture relationships with donors after they have made a gift, ensuring their continued engagement and satisfaction.
• Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of  major donors, tracking their giving history, interests, and communication preferences in a timely and accurate manner into the organization’s database for historical tracking. Participate in the annual development planning process to create major gift goals and stewardship plans for the year.
• Volunteer & Board Engagement in Fundraising: Proactively involve Board members, volunteers, and other WBS constituents in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process. Also provide support to the Executive Director and Assistant Director by writing donor proposals, strategizing solicitation and stewardship moves and coordinating donor meetings.
• Marketing of Planned Giving: Provide support for marketing, educating, and creating greater awareness of planned giving options to the larger WBS constituency.

• Reach Goals: Achieve prospect management activity metrics including annual goals for face-to-face visits completed, dollars raised, number of solicitations, and new prospects identified.
• Event Sponsorships: Work with the staff and event committee for the annual Fete du Feather gala to solicit sponsorships ($2,500+ levels), fulfill gift recognition of sponsors, and post-event stewardship of sponsors.

Requirements

• Have your own vehicle with valid driver’s license (mileage reimbursement provided)
• Any travel associated with this job will be mostly within the St. Louis metro region. There may be occasional travel to other areas of Missouri or Illinois.
• Some evening and weekend work required to attend events or host tours that allow for constituent engagement and cultivation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising or a related field, with specific experience meeting with donors, asking for a major gift, and composing donor proposals.
• Proven track record of successfully soliciting major and planned gifts for a nonprofit organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Deep understanding of and interest in the organization’s mission and goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in fundraising (such as CFRE or CSPG), or advanced degree or training in fundraising or nonprofit management
• Fundraising background with a conservation- and/or animal-related nonprofit
• Knowledge of donor databases and CRM systems.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is minimum $80,000 based upon experience in the field. Bonuses awarded as income from major gifts increases.  

Competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.