NRDC is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to join its Regional New York Tri-State and DC Team. The NY/DC region is the largest of six regions covered by NRDC’s development division.
The MGO will join a diverse range of development professionals as NRDC gears up to launch a bold 1 billion dollar campaign to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary. This is a truly unique moment as NRDC aims to reach new fundraising heights through this ambitious campaign. The New York City-based MGO will work in service of this effort. He/she will be committed to directing their talents in donor cultivation and soliciting major gifts with individuals who care deeply about saving the planet.
Working from NRDC headquarters in the thriving Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, this MGO will also work side-by-side with program staff, including the scientists and litigators, who work to fulfill NRDC’s mission. The New York/DC Major Gifts team will be fully staffed at six; the team embraces a collaborative culture and takes an entrepreneurial approach to reaching its ambitious fundraising targets
- Develop strategies with the membership team to upgrade members from direct mail solicitation to personal solicitation
- Cultivate relationships with membership donors and convert them to major donors
- Manage a portfolio of 100-150 individuals
- Personally cultivate and solicit high-level gifts from current and prospective donors
- Set strategies for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of high-level gifts from current major donors and prospects
- Participate in face-to-face meetings and solicitations
- Provide comprehensive, timely and innovative stewardship opportunities. Elevate the importance of stewarding all gifts and programs in ways that strengthen donor interest in, satisfaction with and commitment to NRDC
- Partner with and support NRDC’s leadership with respect to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts, and utilize their time and talents appropriately; ensure their effectiveness as spokespersons and fundraisers for NRDC
- Work with the New York special events team to plan events in the region that maximize major donor and prospect cultivation opportunities
- Other duties as needed
- The Major Gifts Officer must be a skilled major gift fundraiser with a track record of successfully and strategically identifying, cultivating and stewarding major gift donors
- Ability to interface effectively with high-level NRDC donors and senior staff members
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex fundraising activities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- Passion for the mission and goals of NRDC
- Experience with advocacy or environmental groups preferred
- Experience with fundraising campaigns a plus
- Experience with donor databases
- 5+ years of fundraising experience with a focus on major gifts or senior level annual fund gifts