Major Gifts Officer

Organization: LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute

Location: Washington, DC preferred

Reports to: Vice President of Development [to be transferred to Director of Major Gifts, Date TBD]

For over three decades, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute have helped to train, place, and elect thousands of openly LGBTQ+ public officials at every level of government. Our leaders have been catalysts for expanding legal rights for LGBTQ+ people across the country, and they have transformed our nation’s policies and shifted our political landscape towards equality, one election at a time.

Today, over 1200 LGBTQ+ Americans are serving in elected office due to the work of Victory. Victory’s work continues as LGBTQ+ people are severely underrepresented in all levels of government – serving in only 0.23% of all elected offices in the United States.

Reporting to the Vice President of Development [to be transferred to the Director of Major Gifts, Date TBD), the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for fundraising for an assigned Victory Fund and Institute donor portfolio, building our membership programs, and raising gifts of $1,250 – $100,000 through intentional relationship cultivation.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of raising gifts from individual donors, as well as event sponsor ships from organizations and corporations. Membership, major gifts, campaign fundraising, and/or other types of development experience is also desired. A strong commitment to Victory’s mission is necessary for this role.

• Manage and grow a portfolio of Victory Fund and Victory Institute’s donors in the $1,250 – $100,000 range.
• Responsible for developing personalized strategies for their assigned portfolio that include engagement and solicitation plans which maximize each individual’s philanthropic capacity and support Victory’s funding priorities, as well as broad-based engagement, qualification, and cultivation strategies for pool segments as a whole.
• The Major Gift Officer will collaborate across the department to move prospects and donors through the pipeline and solicit gifts, working closely with frontline colleagues, including Planned Giving, Events, and Corporate Engagement.
• Expand fundraising efforts in new markets by researching and identifying new donor prospects using a variety of solicitation tools, including: events, meetings, calls, and online communication.
• Identify and schedule donor prospect meetings around events for the President & CEO, Vice President of Development, other senior staff, board and VCB members.
• Expand the recurring donor program to build sustainable revenue for Victory’s programs.
• Collaborate and manage efforts with host committees who function as local validators and volunteer fundraisers for Victory events. Assist in committee expansion and profitability.
• Manage relationships, communications and giving plans with Victory Cabinet members around the country and attend in-person meetings and events.
• Work with development, political, and leadership program staff, as well as the board of directors, to identify innovative strategies to build individual giving revenue.
• Work with Development leadership, Programs, Political, and the Communications team to create digital and print donor engagement collateral.
• Event planning and support, including oversight in partnership with our events manager and consultants, on-site logistics management, volunteer recruitment and training, vision and execution.

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; plus at least two to four years of experience in, membership, event and/or individual donor fundraising; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience and commitment to working within a team environment to meet hard fundraising targets established through annual budgeting.
• Deep understanding of moves management and donor communication strategy
• Experience with donor database/CRMCommitment to the organization’s mission and goals.
• Impeccable follow up and follow through.
• Detail oriented with strong organization and critical thinking skills.
• Strong ability to prioritize…