Position Title: Major Gifts Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Kern County
Reports to: Development Director
Payrate: $64,800 – $72,000
The Organization: The Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) is a growing 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to inspire and organize communities to build volunteer organizations empowered to pursue social justice. DHF is based in Bakersfield, California. We organize in the counties of Tulare, Fresno, Kern, and the high desert area of Los Angeles County. We are seeking Student Success Mentors who are passionate about supporting this work.
Position Summary
The Major Gifts Officer will play a critical role in increasing donor support and acts as an ambassador for the Dolores Huerta Foundation across the community. You’ll be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with existing donors, as well as identifying new prospective donors. An ability to clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key.
The Major Gifts Officer reports to the Development Director, and will work closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director as well as board members and other external stakeholders.
Position Responsibilities
Donor Relations Management
- Secure major gifts of $10,000 and higher.
- Collaborate with the development team to reach the goal of raising $600,000 annually.
- Maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects.
- Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects.
- Create and implement moves management plans for donors.
- Research and develop prospective strategies to secure new supporters and donors
- Make direct, face-to-face solicitations
- Support the fundraising efforts of the Development Director and Executive Director in securing new and renewed gifts
- Project manage end-of-year appeals ensuring deadlines and fundraising goals are met.
- With the Development Director, create and manage organizational budget
- Track and report progress to goal on a monthly basis including contracts, gifts, and pledges
- Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgement of gifts, donations, and sponsorships and thanks donors accordingly
- Work with Development Director and Communications team to develop and annual report
Events
- Work with Development Director on securing sponsorships and individual donations for fundraising events
- Work with the team to strategize and help execute cultivation events for major donors and prospects.
- Support coordination of special events, such as major donor cultivation events and fundraiser
Additional Functions
- Provide analysis and recommendations based on reporting.
- Provide detailed prospect reports for solicitors.
- Provide regular update reports on moves management plans
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/EDUCATION
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience plus a minimum of 3-5 years (direct or equivalent) experience managing high level donor relationships with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $10,000 and above.
- Ability to conceive, plan, and execute a major gifts program, including: annual giving, special events, and special projects/campaigns.
- Excellent grasp of database software.
Willingness to be hands-on in a role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism. - High level proficiency of Google Suite and a working knowledge of search functions for donor research purposes.
- Superior interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally with a culturally diverse group of volunteers, co-workers and donors.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing requirements.
Job Specific Competencies
- Strategic Thinking: Possesses a broad understanding of organizational strategic planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Leadership: Demonstrates understanding of a variety of leadership and management principles and practices.
- Mission Focus: Possesses advanced knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.
- Technical Skill: Knowledge of graphic design and digital media; knowledge of arts community and education institutions; Extensive experience planning and organizing events and public programs.
- Communication: Communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing. Is an effective public speaker. Communicates effectively and professionally among all levels of the organization and the public. Bilingual (Spanish and English) applicants a plus
- Ethical Practice: Models the highest level of ethics, integrity, DHF values and social responsibility.
- Relationship Management: Demonstrated experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative, environment; commitment and ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure, remain calm and controlled when faced with difficult situations. Strives for immediate address.
Organizational Competencies
Alignment with DHF values: Understanding and appreciation of Dolores Huerta’s legacy and the farmworker’s movement is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our BIPOC children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of social justice history, and community organizing culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.
- Social Justice – We strive to achieve equity of distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges in our society by dismantling systems of oppression, protecting Mother Earth, and building a true democracy that values human rights including a person’s right to love whomever they wish to love.
- Self Determination – We believe in the right of people to choose and be empowered to create their own destiny.
- Democracy – We believe in political representation, freedom, and equity, everyone has an equal voice in organizations and governance.
- Collective Action – We believe there is a mighty power in people organizing together towards a common goal.
- Volunteerism – We believe that giving of your own time, without compensation, towards the benefit of others and your community serves as its own reward.
- Non-violence – We believe in the use of peaceful action, without violence, to bring about political or social change.
- Feminism – We believe in the social, economic and political equality of all genders; including women’s right to control their own bodies and the right to abortion.
- Yes We Can! – We always act with hope in the belief that what may seem unachievable can be accomplished.
TO APPLY:
Send resume, cover letter and 3 references to humanresources@doloreshuerta.org
Type “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line
The Dolores Huerta Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law.
