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Development Officer

Employer
NOLS
Location
Wyoming, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Closing date
Jun 29, 2021

The Development Officer (DO) cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of major gifts ($100,000+) and leadership annual fund ($2,500+) prospects and donors in support of the school’s mission and goals. The DO manages and leads strategic development donor acquisition efforts for cultivation and support from newly identified prospects. This position understands and applies the key principles of creating loyal and generous donors and focuses the bulk of their energies on this “out-the-door” work. They must be motivated to learn and be able to work collaboratively with colleagues, donors, board members and other volunteer leaders across the organization. They are experienced in designing and executing strategies to move new – or annual fund level donors to a major gift level. They will be responsible for direct solicitations to meet funding needs and will listen for opportunities to secure gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts. They have demonstrated success in developing substantive donor relationships and engaging/supporting natural partners in executing donor strategy. 

The DO provides opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving. They are a passionate advocate and spokesperson for NOLS and can communicate about the various programs in detailed terms and can confidently discuss legacy giving opportunities. The DO will be required to use the NOLS donor database, to participate in the development of proposals, and will lead or assist in donor events. The DO understands and complies with all NOLS gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the organization and the Association for Fundraising Professionals.

Note: Two Development Officer positions are currently available; hiring with preference for summer 2021 start dates.

 Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred and a proven fundraising track record, with 3-6 years’ experience and demonstrated success securing major gifts. Consideration may be given for related experience in customer-facing sales, financial and estate planning, or marketing.
  • Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents to help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing comprehensive donor strategies that include a variety of ways of giving.
  • Detailed and in-depth knowledge of major and planned gift fundraising and associated tax laws. Capital and endowment campaign experience preferred.
  • Experience in actively asking for and closing planned giving and has good understanding of different giving vehicles, and related laws and tax benefits, preferred.
  • Ability to energetically and accurately represent NOLS to a variety of constituents including alumni, major and leadership annual donors, board, staff, parents and other friends of the school.
  • Expert project management skills, initiative, flexibility, discretion, and thoughtful decision-making to achieve ambitious performance objectives for outreach to constituents, personal visits (including virtual visits), gift solicitations, gift closures, and stewardship.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to build rapport, identify donor interests, and write customized giving proposals and provide pertinent materials to donors and prospective donors.
  • Experience researching and analyzing large groups of data to uncover prospects.
  • Ability to thrive in an environment where fundraising metrics play an essential role in annual performance evaluations.
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and teamwork skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, plus advancement CRM software, such as Raiser’s Edge.
  • Ability and willingness to travel across the U.S., and occasionally internationally, approximately 30%-40% of the time.
  • Ability and willingness to work outside of normal business hours frequently, participating regularly in fundraising dinners, community events, conferences, and after-hours or weekend meetings with high-net-worth individuals.
  • Ability to act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
  • Ability to sensitively handle confidential information.

 Leadership or Supervisory Duties

Manages a donor and prospect portfolio, requiring individual visits (in-person and virtually) to cultivate, steward and solicit support to meet combined department goals for endowed scholarship fundraising, NOLS Fund, and other identified projects. Active leadership regarding campaign planning and execution, managing volunteers, developing and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitations and stewardship of donors. Establishes cooperative working relationships with development and other staff members to increase understanding and support of development efforts. Stays current on NOLS programs and projects across the world.  Limited field work opportunity for NOLS qualified field instructors.

 Funds and/or Property

Tracks traveling expenses and maintains accurate donor reports.

 Responsibilities

Major Giving (70%)

  • Effectively researches, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a large portfolio of prospective donors (initially 250-400 individuals) with the ability to secure major gift commitments ($100,000 over several years) in support of identified philanthropic objectives.
  • Cultivates major gift prospects, building relationships and understanding the donors’/prospects’ goals with the expressed purpose of building comprehensive donor strategies to align donor interests and organizational goals. Meets outreach and personal visit metrics as established by Chief Advancement Officer.
  • Moves prospective major donors along the donor pipeline preparing them to receive an appropriate ask based upon donor intent and interest.
  • Solicits major gifts through meetings via face-to-face meetings, or when needed, telephone and video conferences.
  • Employs high-volume email, phone, social media messaging, and personalized mail outreach to secure first-time personal visits with major gifts prospects, and increased leadership annual gifts.
  • Ensures necessary tracking and regular communication with prospects. Tracks fundraising progress and manages relationships to increase donor gift amounts.
  • Design highly customized donor engagement plans for assigned donors.
  • Prepares and distributes reports on progress toward goals, prospect strategies and prospect contacts.
  • Works in concert with Stewardship and Foundation Relations Coordinator to produce and deliver stewardship materials for donors.

Leadership Annual Giving (20%)

  • Works in concert with NOLS Fund manager to present a coordinated fundraising effort to all donors.
  • Solicits annual fund gifts, especially at $2,500 and above, from donors and prospects to help reach annual goal for unrestricted support. Encourages leadership annual fund donors to commit to a five-year NOLS Fund pledge.
  • Stewards NOLS Fund donors through personal communication and adheres to thank you protocols.

General Advancement Leadership and Support (10%)

Other duties as assigned to support the organization and changing needs of the Advancement Department. Development Officer will maintain professional affiliations and expand skills by keeping abreast of the latest information and trends in major gift fundraising, including deferred giving techniques, estate planning and tax laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or status as a protected veteran. The school’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all phases of its employment process, its admission and financial aid programs, and to all other aspects of its educational programs and activities. Retaliation directed to any person who pursues a discrimination complaint or grievance, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination is prohibited.

Criminal Background Check: A criminal background check is required from all NOLS employees.

E-verify: NOLS participates in E-verify

Motor Vehicle Record: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the position start date and possess a valid driver’s license. Must have a clean driving history and be able to meet the criteria for NOLS vehicle insurance coverage.

Work Location: Preference for a remote development officer based in California, New York, Washington, or Colorado. Candidates living in any of the following U.S. States may apply:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

To Apply - send a cover letter and resume to:

Name: Heather Wisniewski

Email: heather_wisniewski@nols.edu

Phone: (307) 335-2289

Contact Heather Wisniewski, Chief Advancement Officer  heather_wisniewski@nols.edu with questions.

Closing Date for Applications: Open until filled.

Starting Date: Preference for candidates who can start in summer 2021.

Thank you for your interest in NOLS. Please consider providing some optional, anonymous information by visiting this link

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