FLSA Designation: Exempt
Ploughshares Fund is a public grantmaking foundation that seeks to reduce and ultimately eliminate the threat posed by nuclear weapons. Our vision is a world where nuclear weapons can never be used again. We fund and coordinate individuals and organizations in the United States and abroad that create solutions, drive policy and build grassroots support for a world free from the dangers of nuclear weapons.
We are looking for a full-time Major Gifts Manager to build on the many successes that we have accomplished to date and to help cultivate new donor participation to grow our annual contributed income.
Position Summary
Part of a major initiative of the organization, and an integral member of the Development team, the Major Gifts Manager will help drive the effort to secure gifts in the range of $1,000 – $4,999 from individuals. The Manager will help develop and implement strategies for identifying major gift prospects, cultivating donors and prospects and maximizing gifts. The Manager will be primarily responsible for stewardship of Ploughshares Fund’s Council Member donors ($1,000 – $4,999). The Manager will assist with special events, including conception, planning and implementing strategic donor cultivation activities and assisting with fundraising and logistics for the annual gala.
Functions and Responsibilities
Ensure active pipeline of major donors by: working closely with the Senior Development Associate to identify prospects from gift reports; mining the current database to uncover prospects; and use other strategies and resources to identify new potential major donors.
Work with the Director of Development to enlist the participation of board members and other volunteer leadership in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donor prospects.
Develop short- and long-term strategies for prospects, including annual giving goals and goals for discrete campaigns.
Develop strategy memoranda and meeting scripts to prepare senior staff to make successful asks, demonstrating understanding of donor interests and philanthropic habits.
With Director of Development, develop revenue goals for major giving, tracking progress closely to ensure that targets are met and strategies re-examined when necessary to ensure achievement of goals.
Manage stewardship of a major donor portfolio, ensuring that donors experience high-quality interactions that foster long-term engagement. Develop methods to convey the impact of gifts and ensure that donors are kept up to date on key developments in Ploughshares Fund’s programs.
Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Development, plan and implement strategic donor cultivation events regionally and support Ploughshares Fund’s biggest annual fundraising event each spring in San Francisco. Enlist the support of high-level donors and volunteers to host events and provide new prospect names. Execute logistics, develop strategic event programming in consultation with senior development staff, and strategize and coordinate postevent follow-up.
Assign and assist with prospect research sufficient to confirm major donor capacity.
Database: Enter contact reports in donor records and ensure that next steps are scheduled for all active and prospective donors. Maintain accurate contact information for donors. Run reports based on gift capacity, giving history and other criteria as needed.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 3-5 years progressively responsible experience in Development, including experience developing successful ask strategies and effective major donor acquisition strategies.
Experience deploying senior staff strategically in moves management and asks, in assessing capacity through prospect research, and managing donor relations.
Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Internet research are required; Raiser’s Edge experience a plus.
Knowledge of and experience with the San Francisco Bay Area philanthropic landscape a plus.
Interest in international relations, national security and philanthropy.
Commitment to Ploughshares Fund’s mission.
In addition to possessing these qualifications, the ideal candidate will be creative, organized, strategic and collaborative. He/she must be a self-starter with a sense of urgency and a bias toward execution.
Must have ability to be flexible and open to new ideas.
To Apply
Application deadline: March 1, 2015. To apply, send cover letter, including salary requirements, and resume to: jobs@ploughshares.org, subject line: MGM Search
No phone calls please.