Major Gifts Officer

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 

Today, we are an alliance of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and a national office who work in communities across the United States to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. NAMI advocates for all who are affected by mental illness, both the individuals and the people in their lives. In particular, we work to address disparities and injustices and to promote dignity and inclusion for all people with mental illness and their families. In addition to being advocates, we educate, we listen, and we lead as evidenced by our public awareness campaigns, the range of numerous programs we provide, and our strong public policy.

We currently have an opening for a Major Gifts Officer. The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for managing and executing strategies for growing revenue from NAMI’s Leadership Alliance (major donors) program, both by expanding NAMI’s file of major donors and increasing commitments from existing major donors. This will be done by implementing a major donor stewardship and upgrade program and personally managing a portfolio of major donors and planned giving prospects.

This position is based in Arlington, VA (currently remote due to COVID).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with overall strategy for the Leadership Alliance major gifts program, including management of major donor stewardship/engagement activities to maximize retention and increase gift size.  
• Manage a portfolio of 4-5 figure major donors and prospects, including qualifying high-capacity donors on an ongoing basis, forging strong one-to-one relationships and developing tailored engagement strategies for upgrading key donors and prospects.
• Travel frequently to meet with donors and prospects, documenting information gathered and conducting timely follow-up and regular relationship maintenance.
• Leverage board and senior leadership to maximize development opportunities, and provide high-level support to CEO by offering sound strategy, staffing calls and meetings with major donors/prospects and performing follow up.
• Engage and cultivate new major giving prospects.
• Support the development, growth and stewardship of NAMI’s planned giving pipeline by educating donors about legacy giving opportunities and soliciting planned gifts when appropriate.
• Write and/or review presentations, proposals, and other donor materials as needed.
• Help develop and execute Donor Advised Fund engagement/education strategies.
• Support/execute intimate cultivation or fundraising events/initiatives, when necessary.
• Develop and utilize a tracking model and report on overall major giving activity and results.
• Cultivate strong and collaborative relationships with staff/teams across the organization, and work closely with program staff to thoroughly understand and expertly articulate NAMI’s mission, vision, and funding priorities to donors and prospects.
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of four years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including frontline fundraising. Proven track record of securing five figure+ gifts.
• Skilled in managing projects and people
• Strong oral communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven aptitude for forging strong relationships with major donors.
• Proven aptitude for writing compelling funding proposals, reports, and other donor stewardship communications
• Customer-service mindset with strong understanding of core development functions, donor stewardship practices, and events
• Results-driven, proactive problem-solver, capable of responding quickly and effectively to challenges and new opportunities
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to independently manage time, multiple projects and competing priorities
• Ability to travel extensively to meet with donors.
• Ability to demonstrate discretion and hold sensitive and personal information about donors in confidence
• Must pass background check.

NAMI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. NAMI prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information or any other legally protected group status. We also provide reasonable accommodation for candidates with disability.