Mid-level Gift Officer
Application Deadline: 12/1/2024
Salary: $60,814 – $70,950 per year
This is a full time position.
Duties
The Gift Officer focuses on growing revenue from individual donors contributing up to $999 to Wilder’s annual operating fund. This position reports to the Director of Major and Planned Giving and is focused on implementing donor-centric approaches to identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individuals so that giving is secured, retained and increased over time.
The Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of mid-level donors giving under $999 annually, as well as cultivate prospects who have capacity for support. The primary goal of this position is to acquire, retain and increase giving from individual donors as well as manage fundraising campaigns geared to mid-level donors. This is a full-time, hybrid position.
Success will be measured on metrics to be established annually in coordination with the Director of Major and Planned Giving, specifically targeting the following performance measures: Increase in number of donors giving up to $999; Increase in total revenue from donors giving up to $999; Retention of donors; Increased gift levels from retained donors.
Areas of Responsibility / Essential Job Functions:
1) Donor Qualification and Cultivation – 40%
Identify, qualify and cultivate current, lapsed, prospective and new donors with the goal of increasing revenue at a mid-level giving range of $250 - $999.
- Manage and cultivate a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects via in-person, phone, and email contact with the goal of increasing retention and annual giving.
- Conduct continual identification of new donor prospects based on annual fund gift levels, participation at events, suggestions from board members, and other prospecting methods. Initiate relationship development and qualification efforts.
- Collaborate with Prospect Researcher to screen new prospects for cultivation based on capacity, interest, and other criteria.
- Identify donors who may be appropriate to cultivate for a planned gift.
- Involve other Development staff, program staff, and volunteers in the cultivation process as appropriate.
- Cultivate relationships with diverse communities of donors and prospects.
2) Donor Solicitation – 40%
Renew and upgrade annual gifts, and invite donors to consider gift strategies that include multi-year pledges, monthly gifts, and planned gifts. Grow donor constituents at all levels of giving through individual solicitations.
- Lead the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns including Give to the Max Day, lapsed donor solicitations, and year-end giving campaigns in collaboration with the members of the Advancement Team.
- Write content for direct mail and digital solicitations, manage list requests, and track results from solicitation efforts.
- Assist with major donor solicitations.
- Design and implement strategies to acquire new and prospective individual donors through annual and special campaign solicitations.
- Support special campaigns that activate support for restricted program areas, in collaboration with the members of the Advancement Team.
- Maximize match opportunities to increase the impact of donor gifts.
- Utilize outright, pledge and planned gift opportunities to best meet donors’ philanthropic aspirations and financial capacity.
3) Donor Stewardship – 10%
Ensure that all annual fund donors are incorporated in a stewardship plan that keeps them informed of Wilder’s news, volunteer opportunities, and giving options.
- Send timely and personalized thank yous to donors in portfolio, and new donors.
- Participate in implementing donor cultivation and stewardship events.
- Collaborate with Wilder leaders and program staff to steward donors.
- Assist in reviewing donor lists in the Annual Report, ensuring that donors are accurately represented and recognized.
4) Data management – 10%
Manage donor data and plans in a way that summarizes key activities of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Input detailed donor information and activity, including individual call reports, within Raiser’s Edge. Data entry to be completed in a timely manner.
- Use Raiser’s Edge to track and report on donor and prospect activity, and progress toward annual metrics.
- Report progress, opportunities and challenges in regular 1:1 meetings with Director of Major and Planned Giving.
- Ensure confidentiality and proper usage of donor data, in coordination with Advancement staff.
Wilder's workplace diversity strengthens our mission and contributes to our vision of individuals and families thriving in St. Paul and beyond. We offer a dynamic Total Rewards package, which includes competitive compensation and benefits – health, dental, employer-matched 401(k), PTO, paid family, medical and caregiver leave, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts and employee wellness programs.
In addition, you will have access to professional development opportunities, including development funding, tuition discounts, career development, and training opportunities. You will also have access to Wilder's inclusion, diversity and equity (WIDE) council, employee resource groups, and other DEI development opportunities available to all employees. Eligible federal loans may also qualify for deferment through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Job Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have at least four years of successful fundraising or sales experience, including a track record of successful solicitation tactics with demonstrated revenue growth.
Proven ability to increase giving and retention within a donor portfolio or campaign.
Must have outstanding organizational and planning skills, and top-notch verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Persistence in donor outreach, meeting new people, and making cold calls.
Tenacity, creativity and follow-through are essential.
Must have strong initiative and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of the Advancement Team which includes teams specializing in communications, gift processing, prospect research, and grant writing/program development.
Bachelor’s degree required; Certification in mid-level fundraising through Veritus or another provider highly preferred.
Demonstrated experience in effectively engaging and developing relationships with diverse constituencies.
Conduct business ethically and with integrity and demonstrate respect for colleagues and donors.
Requires computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and donor data management systems such as Raiser’s Edge.
About Wilder
The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is a nonprofit community organization that creates lasting, positive change rooted in people through direct services, research and community building. We combine knowledge, compassion and action to improve lives today and for generations to come. https://www.wilder.org/
Online Application Information
Our application system works best using Chrome and attaching documents in PDF or Word format. Postings close at midnight Eastern Standard Time.
There are four sections to the application process, please follow these instructions carefully:
- Contact information. Be sure to fill out all of the required fields (marked with a red *).
- Verification of email address. Enter the code sent to your email address.
- Enter Address
- Resume and cover letter section. First upload your resume in the resume section then upload your cover letter (required for this position) and any other required documents mentioned in the job posting in the second upload area.
- Questions. Answer “How did you hear about this job/posting?” question and other questions if applicable.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Questions (EEO). We are required to ask these questions, using this wording, to meet federal guidelines. If you prefer not to answer any questions you can skip them but you must check the box labeled “I have read the above invitation to self-identify as an individual with a disability”
- Review and Edit. Here you can review and edit sections as necessary.
- Attestation. Read statement, check the box and enter your name. Then click submit.
- Optional profile. At this time Wilder is not reviewing this profile information. Click on “Return to Career Center” at the bottom of the page.
Job offers will be contingent on the successful applicant‘s proof of authorization to work in the United States and the results of a background check related to the job requirements.
Wilder is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of the Amherst H Wilder foundation to provide an equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
