The Regional Director, Major Gifts for the Southern California Region is responsible for establishing and managing long-term relationships with major donors and prospects determined to have the ability to make outright gifts or pledges of $25,000 or greater in the Southern California area, which includes two chapters: Orange County/Inland Empire (based in Santa Ana) and San Diego/Hawaii (based in San Diego). Candidate may reside in Orange County or San Diego area.
The Regional Director, Major Gifts is the primary major gift fundraiser, working in partnership with the VP, Advancement and the two Chapter Executive Directors, in the assigned region. The Regional Director guides major gift fundraising strategy, execution and management. This includes major outright gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as planned gifts and donor stewardship activity in support of the LLS mission and funding priorities.
The Regional Director, Major Gifts reports to the VP, Advancement and has a dotted-line to the two Chapter Executive Directors in the assigned region. This position is charged with developing meaningful and sustainable relationships and implementing strategies for securing financial support from an active portfolio of 50+ donors and prospects within the assigned geographic territory. The position will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing and stewarding major and planned gifts to meet (and surpass) annually established metric goals.
The Regional Director, Major Gifts will work collaboratively with (and in support of) the VP and Sr. VP of Advancement, and Executive Directors in the assigned geography, Advancement team in Rye Brook, NY (national headquarters), LLS leadership, volunteers, and other colleagues within the national office and regional Chapters.
- In collaboration with Chapter Executive Directors and Advancement staff, actively build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects by both growing revenue from the existing donor base and through new donor prospects.
- Maintain an active portfolio of 50+ leadership donors with 8-10 prospect/donor visits per month and 50+ documented solicitations (of $25,000+) per year.
- Shared accountability, with Executive Directors, for a roll-up goal of the assigned Chapters.
- Sole accountability for a personal portfolio; goal based on market capacity.
- Maintain a sustained set of weekly activities from a remote, home-based operation, with a keen and self-directed focus on impactful relationship building and achieving metrics, while being responsible for (and responsive to) active communication with the VP, Advancement, Chapter Executive Directors, and Advancement Team via regular call meetings.
- Actively participate in regular Advancement-related meetings, as scheduled.
- Perform prospect research utilizing all internal and web-based tools available to create prospect profiles (and portfolio) for a remote, home-based office operation and regularly update donor/prospect records in the national office database (Org360) and other LLS systems and files.
- Determine prospects’ capacity to make a major (or planned) gift and devise appropriate strategy to bring them to solicitation and closure.
- Develop relationships with individual donors primarily through personal visits and regular direct (phone, e-mail and/or letter) contact with the goal of retaining and increasing their support.
- Whenever appropriate, assist with planning and executing special events to engage donors and prospective donors.
- Work with volunteers and national office and Chapter staff to develop and cultivate relationships.
- Provide regular updates to the VP, Advancement on metric activities, including all meetings, key communications, proposals and gift closures.
- Willingness to travel regionally and work extended hours, including weekends and evenings.
- To maintain an active, consistent, open line of communication with the VP, Advancement, Chapter Executive Directors in the region, and Advancement team members in a positive manner that fosters collegiality, mutual respect and a collaborative spirit towards shared team goals and LLS mission objectives.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of frontline (one-on-one cultivating, soliciting and closing major gifts) fundraising experience.
- Additional experience with partnering with Planned Giving.
- Proven experience in major gift fundraising, specifically: cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of five and six-figure+ gifts, and closing and stewarding those gifts. Must have a demonstrated gift solicitation and closure history of $25,000 or more, with a preference for experience closing gifts $100,000+.
- Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising; able to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle.
- Understanding of the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop relationships between them and the foundation.
- Driver’s license required and ability to travel with overnight stays.
Knowledge of –
- Donor identification, prospect research, cultivation and solicitation tools and techniques.
- Database management and fundraising software, including solid analytical skills.
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; its history, mission, leadership and current priorities.
- Basic understanding of medical terminology and research related to cancer.
Ability to –
- Maintain an exceptionally organized and consistently self-directed and goal-oriented remote operation to meet and surpass established metrics.
- Conduct extensive research and diplomatically, confidently and consistently contact donors and donor prospects to cultivate/steward, set visits and engage them at deeper levels to inspire greater investments in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s highest priorities.
- Work strategically to support multiple chapters and managing a portfolio of qualified prospects/donors.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively and regularly with supervisor, colleagues and staff with respect, compassion and a sense of humor.
- Close major gifts/pledges at a minimum $25,000, with a focus on six-figure gifts.
- Prioritize tasks, track details, perform data entry, follow through and meet metrics and deadlines.
- Regularly employ solid relationship-building skills, equally with donors, prospects and colleagues.
- Travel for donor and Chapter visits (between 30% - 50%), and effectively work in a remote-office.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- Physical demands are minimal and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations
- Work environment is representative and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations
- Must be available to travel as needed for the position.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) does not accept resumes from third party recruitment/search firms. Please do not forward resumes to LLS employees or any company locations or email addresses. LLS is not responsible for any fees related to resumes not solicited by LLS Recruiting. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.