Major Gifts Officer

Are you an experienced fundraiser or sales professional looking to raise support for an undeniable mission? Are you ready to witness first-hand the direct and transformative impact your work creates? 

We’ve got the perfect opportunity for you!

Summary: We seek an energetic road warrior to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The incumbent desires deeply rewarding work raising significant resources for a mission-focused organization with an average annual fundraising budget of $10 million+. Embarking on an additional multi-million dollar comprehensive campaign, this position would develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, being the only 100% dedicated staff member focused on major gifts. 

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of 80-120 major gift prospects, focusing on securing significant contributions to support esp's mission. This role involves building and maintaining strong relationships with donors, preparing personalized materials, and strategically moving prospects through the development cycle. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of securing major gifts and a deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape.

About esp

esp exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families, changing communities for the better! Founded in 1986 in Watkinsville, Georgia, esp now operates three locations across the state of Georgia to provide year-round programming, summer camp, and family support to nearly 1,000 families and growing. We are excited for Savannah, Georgia to be our fourth operational location to continue to meet the needs of families of all abilities across the region. To learn more, visit espyouandme.org 

Our Values

• Infused with Joyful Hospitality
• Innovating Possibilities
• Activating the Abilities of All
• Fascinated with Fun
• Compassion, Freely Given
• Connecting the Unconnected
• Persevering, Together

Top Five Responsibilities: 

1. Develop and manage a portfolio of 80-120 esp major gift prospects.
2. Correspond and prepare pre-meeting materials and follow-up activities for each donor visit.   
3. Develop plans that move prospective donors through the development cycle.
4. Prepare proposals to secure major ($25K+) gifts and perform all administrative duties as needed.
5. Attend and perform additional duties as assigned on special events, which frequently fall on nights and weekends.

Detailed Functions, Responsibilities & Skills:

Portfolio Management

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 80-120 major gift prospects.
• Close a target number of 10+ major gifts annually, increasing this number over time.
• Regularly engage with prospects through personalized communication, meetings, and events.
• Track and report on progress, ensuring that all donor interactions are accurately recorded in the donor database.
• Make a minimum of 18 face-to-face visits each calendar month with donor prospects.
• Coordinate and implement donor visits to include qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits in Georgia and nationwide.       

Donor Correspondence & Meeting Preparation

• Prepare comprehensive pre-meeting materials and tailored follow-up activities for each donor visit.
• Maintain ongoing communication with donors, ensuring timely and thoughtful responses to inquiries and feedback.

Donor Strategy & Development Planning

• Create and implement strategic plans to move prospective donors through the development cycle of identification, information, involvement, and investment over 18-24 months. 
• Collaborate with internal teams to align fundraising strategies with organizational priorities.
• Work with esp programs teams to support and guide the philanthropic process.

Proposals & Administration

• Prepare timely, accurate, relevant, clear, concise, and compelling proposals to secure major ($25K+) gifts supporting esp’s strategic plan and campaign priorities. 
• Document visits with a written interaction report in Salesforce donor database within a week of donor visits.
• Manage all administrative tasks related to major gift fundraising, including scheduling meetings, processing gifts, and coordinating donor recognition.
• Attend weekly strategy or staff meetings, team meetings, selected training, and professional development as needed.

Special Events

• Serve as esp’s representative at various community-designated events.
• Perform additional duties as assigned on special events which frequently fall on nights and weekends, including various mission-focused programmatic events. 
• Assist with event planning and execution, ensuring a positive experience for donors and attendees.

Key Competencies

• Relationship Builder
• Strong Project Manager and Self-Starter
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Fundraising expertise and acumen
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Impeccable Customer Service
• Resourceful and data-driven
• Flexible
• Natural and optimistic team leader
• Problem solver
• Fearless and creative
• Great listener

Job Expectations

• Attendance at required internal meetings
• Presence at mission-focused events and programs at the discretion of the Director of Development. 
• Maintain regular work hours in coordination with required travel
• Presence at community events may happen during early morning or evening hours.
• Team-first attitude and spirit, always looking for opportunities to collaborate.
• Travel Requirements: At least 50% of the time ― expected to engage in at least two overnight trips per month

Minimum Qualifications

• At least three years of fundraising, sales, or business development experience
• Demonstrated experience with closing 5-figure gifts
• Salesforce experience is a plus
• Canva experience is a plus
• Google Suite experience is a plus

Job Environment

• Role requires moving equipment weighing up to 30 pounds
• Role requires remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time
• Role requires performing duties outside, potentially in hot or cold weather
• Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment
• Must be able to adhere to process protocol
• Must be able to apply established protocols in a timely manner, with little direction
• Must be able to discern and maintain confidential information

Job Details

• Compensation: Commensurate with experience
• FLSA Status: Exempt, Salaried, Full-Time
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Supplemental, 401k matching after one-year, generous PTO policy
• Supervisor: Director of Development
• Supervises: N/A
• Location: Athens, Georgia Area Preferred
• Job Type: Hybrid (in-person + work from home)

Qualified applicants, please send a cover letter and resume to HR@espyouandme.org with the subject line “Major Gifts Officer.” Applications close September 23rd, 2024 at 11:59 PM

esp provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

esp is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. As part of this commitment, esp will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact contact esp’s People Team at hr@espyouandme.org