The Development Officer (DO) is part of a major gift fundraising team charged with securing major gifts from individuals (via all related vehicles and structures e.g., DAFs, family foundations) to AARP and AARP Foundation. The DO will contribute to team results primarily by developing and implementing strategies to secure financial support from donors and funders to meet defined charitable goals in a specific region or across the country. S/he will be responsible for creating and developing a pipeline of donors and potential donors to support organizational needs, focusing exclusively on individuals. This includes conceptualizing, initiating, promoting, and implementing specific fundraising activities to increase charitable support. The DO will be expected to generate gifts of $1,000 and more, with an emphasis on gifts of $10,000 and more, manage a pipeline of $1-3 million and generate support of $500,000-$1.5 million annually within two years of initial assignment. The DO position will report to the VP of Major Gifts, and supervises no staff.
- He/she will manage special campaigns (board, employee, etc.) and elements of the stewardship of our Opportunity Builders Program with the Vice President of Major Gifts. In addition, the role entails cultivating a significant "warming pool" of donors that require attention as a group before they are part of one-to-one direct relationship management and solicitations portfolios.
- Identify charitable and advocacy programmatic needs appropriate for support from individuals with means; work with program staff to develop concept papers and proposals, including measureable objectives and budgets. Utilize and support giving campaigns to increase giving from individuals with means, current donors or prospective donors.
- Manage and implement vehicles for frequent interaction (cultivation and stewardship) with high-tiered donors and prospects through personal visits and other direct and indirect communication such as phone, email and other correspondence. This may include management of engagement activities directly related to the portfolio of donors managed.
- Inspire and encourage philanthropic action by working with volunteer leaders and groups that may be linked to the individuals in the portfolio.
- Understand and present appropriate giving vehicles – planned and outright - that best support the prospective donor’s capacity and interest in supporting the work, programs or mission-driven interventions. Recognize when gift planning expertise is required, and activate that expertise in pursuit of an appropriate and ethical approach to the donor’s gift, commitment or financial support.
- Support senior management through the development and crafting of concepts and proposals to potential donors and in negotiating funding.
- Network effectively, internally and externally, to identify new and effective prospect engagement opportunities. Work with program staff and coordinate inter-organizational approaches; use research provided by staff, update and maintain databases necessary to ensure institutional memory of relationships and activity.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and follow ethical standards for charitable giving, as defined by Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP).
- Understands, promotes and demonstrates attributes described in AARP Foundation’s principles and core values as well as AARP leadership behaviors in all interactions.
- Four or more years of successful experience in generating gifts from individuals or institutions of five-figures and higher.
- Demonstrated track record in designing strategies and inspiring fundraising-related activity and/or financial support from a variety of people, including staff, colleagues, volunteers, donors, and prospective donors.
- Strong written and oral communications skills with an ability to persuasively convey an inspiring vision and compelling case for charitable support.
- Excellent phone, email and other digital forms of communication skills will be critical to the success of this function in engaging these prospect and donor audiences.
- Able to work in a changing environment and meet tight deadlines.
- A good listener.
- Basic knowledge of planned giving instruments.
- Experience with computer and fundraising software programs.
- Individual who is team-focused, able to enjoy and succeed at working on teams and rolling up one’s sleeves and make things happen as an individual
- Willingness to travel.
AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.