Major Gifts and Planned Giving Specialist

The National Federation of the Blind is a membership organization of blind people from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As America's civil rights organization of the blind, the Federation is a coordinated network of skilled advocates, resources, and programs that raise expectations of the blind in society and create opportunities for blind people to live the lives they want.

The staff of the Federation are central to the organized blind movement by providing support, professional expertise, and daily contributions to the success of the organization. Working under the direction of the Federation's elected President, the staff advise the organization's leadership and contribute to the vibrant, energetic, and collaborative culture of the organization that raises expectations throughout society.

The Major Gifts and Planned Giving Specialist is a member of the Outreach Department and reports to the Director of Outreach. The employee in this position is responsible for building and managing relationships with individual donors and prospects who have the capacity and interest to make significant annual or planned gifts to the National Federation of the Blind. The officer will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies, conduct donor visits, prepare proposals and other donor communications, and provide timely stewardship.

The position will also help expand the Federation's planned giving program by identifying and cultivating prospective legacy donors and promoting charitable giving through wills, beneficiary designations, retirement assets, life insurance, and other appropriate planned giving vehicles. The successful candidate will be a relationship-focused fundraiser who is comfortable initiating conversations, making direct asks, managing multiple donor relationships, and working collaboratively with staff and Federation leaders.

• Bachelor's degree preferred; a combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered in place of a degree.,
• Three to five years of relevant professional experience is required. Experience in major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, donor relations, nonprofit development, financial services, estate planning, or another relationship-based field is preferred. Three to five years of progressively responsible fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, account management, or comparable relationship-management experience, including experience working directly with donors, clients, or prospects.

Demonstrated ability to build relationships and move individuals from initial engagement through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Experience making direct asks or closing gifts, commitments, sales, or other relationship-based transactions. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with donors from a wide range of backgrounds. Strong organizational and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage a portfolio, maintain accurate records, and advance multiple relationships at the same time.

Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and organizational leaders. Comfort using CRM and standard office technology. Ability to travel periodically and to participate in occasional evening or weekend donor and organizational events.