Annual Gift Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Little Rock, AR

Description

OUR MISSION

Easterseals Arkansas is empowering individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. We are leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 75 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training, Easterseals Arkansas is empowering people with disabilities, families, and communities to be full and equal participants of society.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 1944, Easterseals Arkansas is a $50 million-dollar nonprofit organization offering help, hope and answers to nearly 20,000 people each year. We continue to live out our mission to empower children and adults with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Major Gift Officer will work closely with the Vice President of Development and Communication to engage with donors and prospects about the value and impact of Easterseals Arkansas and generate funding results. She/he will create and execute an action plan to cultivate and grow relationships with major donors ensuring the $1.5 million fundraising goal is reached. The Major Gift Officer will work cooperatively with Easterseals Arkansas donors to accomplish their philanthropic goals and legacies to further the Agency’s impact by cultivating a strong relationship with the mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate in preparation of the annual development plan with monthly, quarterly, and yearly activities and goals.
• Manage an assigned donor list of 150 individual and corporate donors as well as potential planned giving prospects.
• Create and implement the major gift annual plan with increasing financial goals.
• Coordinate and conduct prospect research activities to develop strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual gifts; setting appointments with major gift prospects, conduct the meetings alone or as part of a staff team, and coordinate necessary follow-up.
• Develop strategies for acquisition, retention, and upgrade of assigned major donors.
• Ensure donor acknowledgement (including thank you letters and tax statements), reporting, recognition and other stewardship activities related to assigned donors is transpiring smoothly.
• Develop and execute individualized donor recognition plans for the donors with a goal of capitalizing on existing recognition and stewardship opportunities; work collaboratively with the appropriate staff to ensure that sponsors and donors receive promised recognition and benefits.
• Utilize the capabilities of the donor information system (Salesforce) by both recording all relevant donor data and interactions and by using the system’s analytical capabilities to support strong donor engagement and communication practices.
• Coordinate special tours, speaking engagements and other engagement activities as tools to cultivate donors on behalf of Easterseals Arkansas.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with donors and key constituents.
• Prepare reports regularly on fundraising metrics for the Core Leadership team and Board of Directors.

COMPLIANCE/HIPAA:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to Easterseals Arkansas. Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and certification:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• CFRE a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven years of direct successful fundraising experience.
• Experience with an annual fundraising goal of over $1 million preferred.
• Experience with Salesforce a definite plus.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Passion for the Easterseals Arkansas mission and the individuals and families we serve.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple tasks.
• Excellent relationship management skills.
• Experience with direct staff reports a plus.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong oral, writing, and communication skills.
• Comfort working with donors, Board members, and committee members with various giving levels.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Easterseals Arkansas has designated this position as a non-safety sensitive position under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.