Tocqueville Society Development Officer

United Way of Southwestern PA (United Way) focuses on solving the pressing issues you care about by bringing together the entire community - policymakers, corporate leaders, excellent agency partners, and individuals who want to help - to assist our neighbors in need and develop long-term solutions. No other single local non-profit can mobilize all these partners and bring them together to achieve results. Together we have the opportunity to transform the lives of so many people throughout Pennsylvania and accomplish long-lasting impact.

United Way's Tocqueville Society is made up of the region's leading philanthropists who are working together in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania to make a meaningful impact in our community and effect positive change for people in need. Tocqueville members set the standard for giving and humanitarian service in our community by donating $10,000 or more annually.

United Way is looking for a dynamic, experienced professional to cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gifts from local individuals and families. The ideal candidate will have experience and success securing contributions at a $10,000+ level.

United Way's Tocqueville Development Officer will have responsibility for overseeing the retention, growth, and engagement of all aspects concerning United Way's Tocqueville Society members and prospects. This individual is responsible for relationship management and direct solicitation of gifts for a portfolio of 100-120 current Tocqueville members.

The Tocqueville Development Officer, as the primary relationship holder, will develop and implement planned giving prospects to secure significant and deferred gifts from donors through estate planning and other types of gifts.

Essential Functions

• Become a productive member of United Way's Tocqueville team, contributing to the success in growing our number of Tocqueville Society members through retention of current members and recruitment of new members across our five-county region.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects and current donors within the assigned portfolio, collaborating as appropriate with staff, volunteers, and Board members.
• Track performance via various metrics, including face-to-face prospect visits, documented communications and interactions, and solicitations submitted and secured.
• Serve as an active prospect identifier and work in conjunction with staff and/or volunteers, targeting prospects for personal visits and moving annual donors through the donor pyramid into the next giving level.
• Maximize the potential of current donors as planned giving prospects.

Additional Functions

• Maintain a record of all cultivation strategies, contacts, solicitations, and results of contacts with prospects and donors in the database of record.
• Orient, motivate, and support assigned volunteers participating in the cultivation and solicitation, of Tocqueville prospects.
• Focus on securing support for programs that match the philanthropic interests of the prospect/donor.

Education and Experience 

• Required
  •  Bachelor's Degree; 5+ years of non-profit fundraising experience, with at least three of those years in a role focused on major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation, and recognition.
• Preferred
  • 3- 5 years of experience with various types of planned giving instruments.

Annual Salary

• Pay Grade 109
• Salary Grade $67,362 - $79,207

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Required
  • Extremely effective interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to establish relationships with a wide variety of people.
  • Excellent communication skills are essential, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to absorb and synthesize complex program information and translate into a compelling case for donors.
  • Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies.
  • Working knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of major and planned gifts.
  • Comfort working independently and as a team member with initiative and flexibility.
  • Possess the ability and discretion to work with high-level donors; the ability to make persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects and effectively match the interests of prospective donors to United Way's priorities.
  • Ability to interface with lead volunteers and CEO-level volunteers

Physical Demands

• Sedentary  Exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Travel Requirements

• Travel within the region via ground transportation
• Potential travel outside the region via ground transportation

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change; new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.