Major Gift Staff - Houston

Major Gift Staff - Houston

Buckner International is seeking a Major Gift Staff to join our development team. The Major Gift Staff role will partner with Buckner's Development team to strengthen relationships with current and prospective major donors throughout the Houston area. Building on an existing portfolio while identifying new opportunities, this position will work closely with the Interim Chief Development Officer/VP of Development to cultivate meaningful donor connections, advance strategic fundraising priorities, and expand philanthropic support for Buckner's mission.

This position will also support a thoughtful, successful transition of donor relationships to a future Houston-based Major Gift Officer.

As a member of our team, you will have an impact on our clients through the accomplishment of the following responsibilities:

• Manage and steward relationships with donors and donor prospects in the Houston area, including individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, and other organizations, as assigned.
• Re-engage donors from a previous major gift portfolio and develop cultivation and stewardship strategies designed to strengthen relationships and increase engagement with Buckner's mission and ministry.
• Partner with the Interim CDO/VP of Development to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and donor prospects and develop donor-centered engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Make qualification, cultivation, and stewardship calls and visits to individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, and other organizations for the purpose of developing relationships that could lead to philanthropic support for Buckner ministries.
• Facilitate introductions and connections between donors and Buckner leadership, board members, and program staff.
• Champion a greater understanding and awareness of Buckner's mission and ministry among donors and donor prospects through intentional relationship management and engagement.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation and stewardship strategies for assigned donors and donor prospects.
• Fully utilize Buckner tools and resources to conduct donor and prospect calls, visits, virtual meetings, and other relationship-building activities, individually or in partnership with Buckner staff and leadership.
• Utilize program staff, Executive Directors, organizational leadership, Buckner International Board Members, Development Council Members, and other volunteers, as appropriate, in the cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation of donors and donor prospects.
• Create opportunities for donors and donor prospects to experience Buckner's mission and ministry through tours, site visits, events, mission experiences, and other engagement opportunities.
• Maintain consistent stewardship and communication with donors and donor prospects to demonstrate appreciation, communicate impact, and strengthen long-term relationships.
• Prepare written proposals, funding requests, impact reports, presentations, and other materials to support donor cultivation and direct solicitations.
• Participate in major gift conversations and solicitation efforts with Buckner leadership, staff, board members, and other organizational representatives, as appropriate.
• Support the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors for priority programs, initiatives, capital fund drives, major gifts, organizational campaigns, foundation, corporate partnerships, and other fundraising efforts as assigned.
• Work to secure philanthropic support for Buckner programs, ministries, initiatives, and campaigns in alignment with established Development goals and priorities.
• Maintain timely documentation of donor records, interactions, next steps, and engagement strategies in the Contract Relationship Management (CRM) system.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with all Buckner policies, procedures, and requirements. Maintain knowledge of and compliance with all state and federal laws and regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for supporting and representing Buckner at special events, activities, and other assigned functions.
• Travel domestically as needed to monitor, assess, and assist in the development of programs.
• Attend and participate in meetings and training as required; facilitate meetings and training as required.
• Work successfully as part of a team and be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with coworkers.
• Perform general office tasks as required.
• Perform special assignments, projects, and other duties as required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and /or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and /or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects.
• Ability to stand, walk, stand, and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.
• Requires the ability to crawl, kneel, climb, bend, turn, twist, stoop, reach, grasp, push, pull, and carry or otherwise manipulate objects.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal…