Major Gifts Officer; Chicago

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying new donors and cultivating relationships with current and prospective individual major donors to support the organization s mission and increase impact in the community. The role includes strategy development, coordination with senior staff, collaboration with volunteers, and oversight of prospect research and management.

• Manages relationships with a portfolio of major donors.
• Develops and implements strategies for identifying new donors and for the cultivation and stewardship of current donors through personalized outreach.
• Implements fundraising strategies from individuals through major gift campaigns, personal cultivation/solicitation, planned giving, and events designed for individual donors.
• Creates and oversees the major gifts strategic plan, policies and procedures, in coordination with the Senior Manager of Fund Development, for a comprehensive major gifts initiative.
• Develops and manages the major gifts annual operational and revenue plans in conjunction with IRUSA s annual budget.
• Coordinates with Fund Development team members and executive management regarding relationship building and donor cultivation events, including briefings, presentations, and special events for targeted funding.
• Contacts and meets with prospective donors through personal visits, with significant time spent meeting donors and attending events outside the office.
• Works with executive management and fund development staff to ensure donors are acknowledged in a personal and time-sensitive manner.
• Writes and/or edits proposals, reports, acknowledgements, briefings, and letters to donors and prospects, and other donor communications.
• Maintains accurate records of donor-related activities.
• Represents IRUSA and advocates for the organization in donor discussions and outreach.
• Performs other related duties as necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree (CFRE certification preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of successful fundraising experience for nonprofit organizations.
• Proven ability to work with high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses and secure investment in IRUSA’s mission.
• Strong experience in prospect identification, relationship building, and donor solicitation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with tact and diplomacy as needed.
• Ability to lead face-to-face meetings and solicit funding using effective language.
• Experience in writing effective proposals, summaries, and reports for fundraising purposes.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to contribute to a team environment.
• Proficient in MS Office and in database and membership management.
• Ability and desire to work independently and collaboratively to achieve goals.
• Understanding of international and national current events/political issues affecting humanitarian, aid, and development work.
• Experience with Raisers Edge or similar fundraising database applications.
• Meets and interfaces with prospective large external donors and liaises with consultants and external contacts to progress corporate giving strategies.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

At Islamic Relief USA we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IRUSA representatives must adhere to its organizational values:
Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship. In accordance with these values, IRUSA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.