Major Gifts Officer

Job title: Major Gifts Officer
Organization: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Industry: Housing/Human Services

Job Description

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER CINCINNATI
DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING, & VOLUNTEER SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Job Title: Major Gifts Officer (final title TBD)
Employment Status: Salaried, Exempt
Reports to: Vice President of Development & Communications

About Us:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Our mission is “seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing locally and globally by building and renovating decent, affordable homes to sell to low-income first-time homebuyers. Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati has built, renovated, or repaired more than 670 homes throughout a 9-county, 3-state region. We are among the Top 40 Habitat affiliates in the United States. Habitat is dedicated to construct, rehabilitate and preserve homes; advocate for fair and just housing policies; and provide training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

Job Summary:
The Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive major gifts strategy that includes identifying, cultivating, soliciting gifts, and expanding significant individual donor relationships and moves management for HFHGC. They will participate in the development of growth, retention, participation, and revenue goals for major gifts. This is a new position created to increase HFHGC’s fundraising capacity by focusing on major gifts, so the applicant will have the opportunity to define and create new strategies and measures of success.

The Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for a portfolio of managed donors to significantly increase contributions >$5,000 from individual donors in support of Habitat’s mission. The Major Gifts Officer will support and track major gift efforts of the VP, CEO, and board members, and plan and implement donor-focused events. The position works collaboratively with Development Officers and Development & Communications Coordinator.

Successful candidates will have a demonstrated passion for interacting with donors and tangible experience soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts at significant levels. Strategic experience in developing new relationships is also necessary to excel in this position. The Major Gifts Officer will play a critical role in deepening our fundraising capacity in order to serve more families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising:

  • Identify, assess, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts from individuals, using customized cultivation and solicitation strategies. Move major gift prospects through the development cycle from qualification to cultivation to solicitation to closing to stewardship. Identify prospects for major and legacy gifts for further cultivation from VP, CEO, and board.
  • Ensure prompt, creative, and engaging donor acknowledgement and stewardship.
  • Travel within service area to visit with individual donors or conduct remote visits where appropriate.
  • Prepare tailored proposals, progress reports, prospect correspondence, and briefing notes and memos.
  • Develop in-person or virtual donor engagement events consistent with donors’ interests and Habitat’s brand.
  • Coordinate strategically with major gifts officers of Habitat for Humanity International as appropriate.

Research, Documentation, and Reporting:

  • Utilize prospect research tools to identify and qualify major gift prospects.
  • Keep current on fundraising research, best practice and giving trends.
  • Record moves management notes in Raiser’s Edge and provide timely reports on cultivation and solicitation actions via contact reports and stage updates.
  • Prepare major gift revenue projections for department management and reporting to executive team and board.

General:

  • Share responsibility with department staff for community outreach, corporate/faith events, and home celebrations.
  • Confidently network and build relationships that increase resources and public awareness of Habitat’s mission.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 5 years of successful development experience in a non-profit environment, including experience closing gifts up to six figures and managing a major donor portfolio.
  • BA/BS degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. CFRE certification and an advanced degree would be an asset.
  • Thorough working knowledge of relationship-based fund-raising procedures and philosophies.
  • Experience in donor stewardship in the virtual environment is a plus.
  • Excellent negotiation, analytical, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills required, including public speaking and presentation skills.
  • Excellent listening skills and a keen sense of curiosity, with the proven ability to solicit information from others.
  • Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across organizations and work cooperatively as part of a team.
  • Ability to work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with potential donors.
  • Knowledge of professional fundraising standards, including AFP Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights.
  • Passion for Habitat’s mission and values with an interest in advancing the critical call for affordable housing in Greater Cincinnati.

Work Environment and Requirements

  • High level of computer literacy required, including Microsoft Office, CRM (Raiser’s Edge NXT or equivalent fundraising database), and experience using online databases and other prospect research sources.
  • Needs reliable transportation for local travel, valid driver’s license, current insurance and good driving record.
  • Occasional work outside normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
  • Manages work in an office environment with frequent meetings outside the office. (Note: under current COVID-19 protocols, most work is being conducted remotely.)
  •  Must be able to pass background check and drug screen.

We offer:

  • Competitive salary.
  • Medical and dental benefits, generous paid-time-off policy, and a Simple IRA retirement savings program.
  • Professional development and the opportunity to learn from industry peers.
  • Flexibility to work remotely, as appropriate or needed due to public health conditions, including laptop PC.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, physical or mental ability, genetic information, military status, marital status, medical condition, or any category identified by state or local government in its operations or delivery of service.

Applications are being accepted now, until the position is filled.

Please send résumé, cover letter, and references to beth.benson@habitatcincinnati.org