Major Gifts Officer; Hybrid

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer works closely with the Director of Major Gifts to increase the number and revenue of major/planned gifts and assists in the formulation of strategies to solicit operating and programming gifts. The Major Gifts Officer is a frontline fundraiser who is responsible for managing a portfolio of major individual donors/planned gifts and prospects.

• Develops, grows, and manages a list of current and prospective donors with Major/Planned Gifts, Programs, and Special Projects.
• Develops and implements strategies to build Major Gifts’ donor pipeline.
• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards identified donors and ensures positive and purposeful donor relations with prospective donors.
• Participates in all aspects of the gift cycle.
• Creates appropriate stewardship strategies to maintain ongoing relationships with donors who have made commitments.
• Initiates and completes donor strategy documents, briefing memos, stewardship/cultivation reports, and other correspondence as necessary.
• Assures that all donor interactions in the portfolio are recorded in the Houston Food Bank database.
• Moves potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure.
• Makes solicitations when appropriate and at the most strategic level of ask.
• Maintains stewardship contacts with donors.
• Contributes to annual fundraising goals by managing an increasingly productive portfolio of individual donors and religious organizations.
• Responsible for managing a portfolio of individual, corporate, foundation, and religious organization donors.
• Responsible for raising five-figure gifts and above.
• Develops an annual plan for the donor portfolio and monitors the annual plan, results, and expenses and modify as necessary.
• Responsible for developing strategies to re-engage lapsed donors.
• Responsible for developing cultivation activities and events along with donor communications to assigned donors.
• Thoroughly understands the Houston Food Bank, its mission and policies, culture, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, and finances.
• Complies with and meets departmental goals and objectives.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business, Public Administration, Liberal Arts, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 – 10 years of demonstrated successful experience and effectiveness in individual and corporate major gifts and planned giving fundraising with a focus on prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
• Ability and willingness to cultivate high wealth individuals.
• Experience securing six-figure gifts preferred.
• Experience building donor relationships.
• Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of basic budget procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with people at all levels.
• Excellent writing and oral skills; the ability to understand and translate information intended for audiences with clarity, crispness, and elegance.
• Must have excellent listening skills.
• Strong time-management skills, organizational skills, self-motivated, proactive.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Able to work cooperatively and coordinate well with coworkers and other departments.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work on and adapt to multiple projects with attention to detail and accuracy while adhering to deadlines in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively convey information about Houston Food Bank and respond to questions from staff, partner agencies/schools, donors, community organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to reflect an optimistic attitude and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors.
• Demonstrate flexibility and perseverance.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies, state, and federal law. Ensure compliance…