Major Gifts Officer

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is seeking an experienced Major Gifts Officer to join its growing philanthropy team. AAAS is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing science, engineering, and innovation for the benefit of all people. With more than 120,000 members in over 91 countries, we are the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society and publisher of cutting-edge research through our Science family of journals. 

Established in 1848, AAAS is one of the leading voices for science in the United States and worldwide. Today, AAAS is being called upon more frequently to speak up when scientific knowledge is pushed aside by ideology, federal funding of basic research is threatened, and top officials question the validity of scientific evidence on issues ranging from climate change to election security.  We are working tirelessly to revolutionize the way science and evidence-based information are communicated, understood, and valued by the public, and invigorate the engagement of our Fellows and members in these activities. 

There is an urgency for us to take our efforts to the next level, and against this backdrop, the board and executive leadership have made philanthropy and strategic partnerships a growing priority. Our Major Gifts Officer position is a dynamic opportunity for a seasoned development professional who is passionate about advancing science to drive impact at a national organization at the forefront of change. 

In this role, you will join our dedicated Office of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships team, reporting to the Director of Individual Philanthropy, and will play a key role in building relationships with AAAS members, Fellows, and other leaders in the science and philanthropy communities to secure unrestricted and programmatic funding. 

Are you ready to be a Force for Science?

What You’ll Do

• Lead prospective and existing donors in all aspects of the gift cycle, including identifying, qualifying, and initiating contact with potential leadership and major gift donors; developing appropriate cultivation strategies; moving potential donors toward solicitation and closure.
•  Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects and donors, with a focus on soliciting gifts of $25,000 and higher for both unrestricted and program support.
• Travel both regionally and nationally to complete a target number of prospect/donor visits and solicitations each year.
•  Develop content for various types of donor engagements and edit organizational communications as needed, ensuring high quality, readability, and consistent voice in the materials.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on major gift activities germane to their subject area or department; participate in and support the fundraising efforts of program staff and help to instill an organizational culture of philanthropy.
•  Help prepare the Director of Individual Philanthropy and senior leadership for prospect meetings, including the creation of tailored talking points and cultivation materials.
• Support the development and execution of giving society recognition opportunities and stewardship activities.
• Organize, in partnership with other philanthropy staff, small- and medium-scale events to cultivate and recognize donors.
•  Track solicitation amounts, anticipated gifts, pledges, and income, and provide regular revenue and cash flow updates on projections versus results.
• Manage prospects, portfolio, and reports in Raiser’s Edge, including contact reporting, action tracking, and financial analyses.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree;
• 8-10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with increasing responsibilities and demonstrated growth;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience soliciting and securing five- and six figure gifts from individual donors and cultivating/stewarding individual relationships;
• Experience carrying a prospect portfolio and ability to strategize to meet financial goals;
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and attention to detail;
• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge;
• Ability to work without extensive back-office support;
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines;
• Ability to travel 50% of the time (given autonomy to determine your own travel schedule);
• Familiarity with fundraising best practices, standards, and ethics;
• Must understand and support the mission of AAAS.

Application Process

Submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position by July 4, 2021. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. A Recruiter will contact you with next steps if you are selected for an interview. 

AAAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.