We’re looking for a committed, experienced, self-directed Major Gifts Officer to deepen Mother Jones’ community of donor support and volunteer leadership in Southern California, specifically to identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors at the $5,000-plus level. You’ll be part of a small but mighty six-person development team responsible for raising almost half of Mother Jones’ $16.3 million budget from major donors, foundations, planned gifts, events, and midlevel donors. We’re increasingly taking advantage of tools like Salesforce and Wealth Engine to help point us toward fruitful relationships with prospective donors, but the key to it all is experience, maturity, the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, and the joy of raising funds for a great cause. At least to start, a home office or desk in a co-working space will be your worksite.
Major Responsibilities:
- Manages and grows a defined major donor portfolio that includes current, lapsed, and prospective donors. Responsible for personally soliciting gifts and building and maintaining strong relationships with individual donors and institutions.
- Increases the prospective donor base through the identification, evaluation, cultivation, and solicitation of “suspects,” or people who have not previously given to the organization
- Develops solicitation strategies and giving opportunities that match donors’ interests. Utilizes senior leadership in this area where appropriate.
- Organizes and staffs a Southern California volunteer leadership council to support staff fundraising
- Works with the publisher to develop an annual budget of income and expense projections that reflect specific prospect cultivation and solicitation responsibilities
- Produces events—from intimate house parties to high-profile soirees—to cultivate donors, identify new prospects, and increase the visibility of the organization
- Identifies, develops, and supports volunteer leaders and board leadership in Southern California and Los Angeles in particular
- Identifies, cultivates, and educates prospects for planned gifts
- Other responsibilities as necessary as assigned by the publisher
Qualifications:
- Passion for the mission of Mother Jones
- Demonstrated experience in self-directed development strategy design and implementation
- Strong commitment to and development background in public-interest work
- Four to six years of general development experience with a minimum of two years’ experience in personal solicitation of donor prospects
- Knowledge of the individual major donor market in Southern California and Los Angeles specifically
- Ability to assess and address priorities efficiently, to take initiative and follow through on projects, and to think strategically
- Computer literate in MS Office suite; Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack also preferred
- Excellent interpersonal skills; skilled at working alone or as a team member
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Willingness to travel
- College degree preferred
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Displays grace under pressure of multiple deadlines
We offer a competitive salary; a very generous benefits package, including 100 percent employer-paid health care premiums for employees and all dependents; and a 37.5-hour work week.
To apply, please send a résumé and cover letter to [email protected] with “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line. Absolutely no calls.
Mother Jones and its parent organization, the Foundation for National Progress, are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and welcoming workplace. We do not discriminate in our hiring based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, union activity, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, on-the-job injuries, age, or any status otherwise protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.