Senior Major Gifts Officer

Organization Overview

Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UUSC is a human rights organization that strives to advance human rights, dismantle systems of oppression, and uplift the inherent dignity and power of all people. We focus our work in three intersectional areas of justice:
Migrant Justice, Climate and Disaster Justice, and International Justice and Accountability. We center the voices and experiences of those most affected and strengthen those grassroots groups and movements who are organizing themselves to advance these goals.

The Senior Major Gift Officer will work closely with the Director of Individual Giving, as well as the Vice President, Development to ensure that UUSC meets its fundraising objectives for Major Gifts and Planned Giving. The Senior Major Gift Officer will sustain and develop donor relationships to ensure the fulfillment of major gifts, planned gifts, and special campaign goals. This role will create strategies to manage a portfolio of major donors and prospective supporters located throughout the United States, with a focus on upgrading supporters to the major donor level.

The Senior Major Gift Officer will work in close collaboration with other Development Department team members to deepen relationships with UUSC supporters and advance targeted major gift strategies and activities to grow UUSC’s revenue and help secure the institution’s future financial stability. This role will be required to travel for donor meetings approximately 30 percent of the time.

• Manage a portfolio of major gift supporters and prospects.
• Design, execute and oversee comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to reach annual revenue and donor engagement goals.
• Create strategies to upgrade supporters from UUSC’s Direct Mail Program to the Major Donor and Stewardship Circle giving levels.
• Work closely with the President, Vice President of Development, and Director of Individual Giving to develop tactics for major gift strategies and solicitation and outreach plans.
• Accompany UUSC supporters on domestic and international partner visits, as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the Senior Philanthropy Officer, incorporate established planned giving strategies in donor outreach.
• Play a key role in developing strategic planning for major gifts fundraising efforts.

• Travel to meet with supporters and UU congregations to engage constituents, build relationships, and generate support for UUSC programs.
• Present on UUSC’s work at congregational and donor receptions, as appropriate.
• Develop engaging donor communications and manage correspondence with UUSC supporters.
• Attend and assist in the planning of special events and affinity group and Steering Committee meetings, as well as donor roundtable calls.

• Maintain detailed records of donor contact and ensure all correspondence is entered in UUSC’s database.
• Create proposals and reports for institutional and family foundations.
• Identify and research prospective donors, with support from the Major Gifts Associate.
• Coordinate with Major Gifts colleagues.
• Develop and implement a plan to acknowledge and recognize all planned, major, and special gift donations.
• Attend programmatic meetings and connect with colleagues across the institution to remain current on UUSC’s activities and partner work.

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• At least 8 years of major gifts and development experience, with a track record of success in raising individual gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent skills and knowledge from experience.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• Experience with planned giving and special gift initiatives.
• Experience working with boards and senior management.
• Ability to prioritize work and quickly respond to changing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Demonstrated interest in, and ability to effectively communicate about, international…