Major Gifts Officer

CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER: SENIOR MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Do you enjoy building and cultivating relationships in a community that is passionate about experiencing and preserving nature and inspiring conservation?
• Are you looking for an opportunity where you can help build the Major Gifts foundation for an organization?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Located in Milford, OH, the Cincinnati Nature Center, founded in 1965, is a nationally recognized leader in environmental education and conservation with: 18,000 member households, over 300,000 visitors per year, 120+ regular staff, 500+ dedicated volunteers, and two properties in Clermont County east of Cincinnati totaling 1,775 acres.  The Cincinnati Nature Center has been designated as a Top Workplace for 5 years running.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting to the Director of Development & Marketing and as a member of the Development team, the full-time Senior Major Gifts Officer is responsible for maintaining and growing a solid base of individual donors. This position is primarily responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts through face-to-face visits and events. The Senior Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio and retain, and increase, donor support moving them up the ladder of support.

Major Gifts (90% of time) Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward major gifts through direct personal contact and visits.

• Execute moves management approach to your portfolio and develop custom strategies for each donor to generate new and higher levels of giving, recording detailed relationship activities in CRM system (Blackbaud Altru).
• Manage a portfolio of 100+ individuals building and maintaining strong relationships leading to increased giving – re-acquire past donors and acquire new donors.
• Coordinate an effective program for recognition, involvement, and stewardship of major and special gifts.
• Meet annual goals for meaningful connections, solicitations, closed gifts, and amount raised.
• Work with the Board, staff, and volunteer committee to achieve fundraising goals.
• Support major donor events.

Planned Giving (10% of time) Assist with re-launching our Rowe Legacy Society.

• Help with revising, re-branding, re-launching our planned giving society with new benefits and new recognition.
• Support re-launch event(s).

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or high school diploma and commensurate experience preferred
• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, specifically in major gifts or development roles
• Experience with portfolio management and understanding of moves management process (identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors)
• Experience in developing fundraising strategies and contributing to campaign goals and objectives
• Ability to adapt systems to keep pace with dynamic operations and changing information needs
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and instructions clearly and effectively to stakeholders across multiple formats (written, verbal, and digital)
• Experience using a CRM system

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with donors and stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and communicate effectively across diverse groups
• High level of emotional intelligence, patience, and active listening to understand donors’ motivations and align them with the organization’s mission
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• A sense of humor, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit
• General interest in nature and the environment

THE PAYOFF

The Cincinnati Nature Center is embarking on a five-year campaign to enhance its conservation efforts and broaden the experiences offered to the community. This is an exciting time to join the Development Team and to grow the major gifts program at the Nature Center.

DIVERSITY/INCLUSION STATEMENT

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating the talent in our communities – and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ability, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national origin. You don’t have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you’re drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to reach out.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

• Occasional attendance at large organizational functions held in the evenings or weekends.