Major Gift Officer

About the Organization

Tech Town is Detroit’s entrepreneurship hub. We empower Detroit-based startups and local businesses by providing resources, collaborative workspace and education for entrepreneurs that will further accelerate inclusive economic development across Detroit.

About the Opportunity

As a Major Gift Officer you will design, develop and implement Tech Town’s major and individual giving program. You’ll be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects, as well as qualifying new prospects, while managing activities related to individual giving campaigns. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate Tech Town’s mission is critical to the success of this role.

You’ll be expected to energize and inspire team members, persuade prospects and persevere to through to the solicitation. This role will cultivate relationships with and solicit Tech Town’s program alumni and community stakeholders through a layered and strategic funding pursuit plan.

The Impact You Will Make:

As the leader of the major gift program, you:

• Help donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with Tech Town.
• Secure major and individual gifts with the goal of raising $250,000 annually.
• Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including the donor database and wealth screening tools.
• Manage existing portfolio of donors, prospects and program alumni.
• Work with the fund development department to align efforts and set goals.
• Create and implement moves management plans.
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the board and other staff with their solicitation (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications).
• Implement creative acknowledge of major donors through public and private recognition.
• Track and report progress using specific metrics.
• Plan and manage annual campaign comprised of strategic inflection points.
• Plan and facilitate four private fundraisers per year.
• Play a role in managing development activities related to Tech Town’s signature event, Toast of the Town.
• Provide reports to be used by the Fund Development Director to communicate to stakeholders at Tech Town Detroit and Wayne State University.

REQUIREMENTS

What You Will Bring to the Table:

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration or related field.
• Experience:
  
  Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
• Minimum of two (2) to five (5) years of experience working as a fundraising professional in direct major donor solicitations and individual giving operations. Direct experience preparing proposals and conducting major gift solicitations required.
• Professional understanding of, and interest in, development and alumni affairs best practices and general operations. Familiarity with, and interest in, trends and best practices related to major and individual gift solicitation. Positive and collaborative professional philosophy, recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the goals and objectives of Tech Town Detroit.

Nice to Have:

• Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail to achieve a high degree of accuracy.
• Exhibits a willingness to partner with diverse stakeholders throughout the organization with integrity and high character to reach unified goals. Possesses the ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and understanding while being respectful and accepting of individual differences.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills are a must. Ability to work successfully with persons from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors and proactively managing implicit bias.
• Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly…