Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an
energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality
early learning and care across the country.
Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable
early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides
everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale
our deep expertise across program, policy and research through
partnerships across the country.
We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this
mission and share a commitment to our core values
of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity,
excellence, learning and communication.
Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want
our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and
passionate about the work they do.
The National Major Gifts Officer is a frontline
fundraising position responsible for relationship management
leading to the identification, engagement, cultivation and
solicitation of new individual major gifts nationally. This
position joins an experienced individual giving team currently
raising $8 million annually, experiencing high growth, and focused
on building a national major gifts program. Candidate will have
demonstrated frontline fundraising experience, with a proven track
record of cultivating high net worth individuals for significant
annual or multi-year gifts to support the organizations strategic
plan, capital campaign, endowment and/or high priority programs.
Must have the ability to collaborate with different levels and
parts of a diverse organization, be skilled in synthesizing complex
initiatives for an individual donor audience, and ability to work
autonomously in the initial outreach and communication with
high-net-worth prospects.
Reporting to the
Managing Director of Advancement, you
will:
Serve as a key member of the development team and will be
responsible for leading and sustaining a new major giving program
that supports Start Early’s mission and strategic plan.
Build and manage a portfolio of national gift donors generating
significant annual and multi-year investments for Start Early.
Establish and track progress against revenue goals and other
related fundraising activities.
Manage relationships and develop cultivation and solicitation
strategies for a portfolio of 125+ national major gift donors and
prospects capable of considering a significant gift of $100k or
more annually and building from there.
Identify major gift prospects nationally, focusing on
geographic areas of California, Washington State, Texas, Florida,
New York and the tri-state area. Seek referrals and introductions
from Board members, high net worth individuals, major gift donors,
and others. Consider other prospecting strategies.
Build a pipeline for qualification and prioritization working
with prospect research, development staff, and others to evaluate
and determine giving potential.
Work in partnership with programmatic and development
colleagues to create and deliver donor strategy documents, gift
proposals, stewardship, and cultivation materials needed for the
donor cultivation cycle.
Collaborate with the individual and development teams on shared
goals, priorities, and activities to best leverage resources.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree (minimum); Master's degree Preferred.
At least 8+ years of relevant experience in major gifts.
A track record of successful major gift fundraising and
extensive experience with prospecting and new donor
acquisition.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Goal-oriented, results-focused.
Ability to work 100% remotely, with occasional
travel, when required.
Deep commitment to advancing diversity, racial equity, and
inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
Belief in the Start Early mission and core values.
A strong work ethic with an ability to work alone and within a
larger team. Ability to collaborate within and across
departments.
Effectively establish and maintain effective relationships with
customers and gain their trust and respect.
Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move
work forward.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and familiarity with
appropriate fundraising tools. Knowledge of computerized systems of
donor recordkeeping and data-tracking of prospects and donors, such
as Salesforce.
Deep commitment to advancing diversity, racial equity, and
inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
Optimally establish and maintain relationships with
colleagues/clients and gain their trust and respect.
Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move
work forward
Salary: $135,000 - $150,000
Our generous benefits plan includes:
Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity,
& Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional
Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6
months paid parental leave, and much more.
Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We
celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by
creating an inclusive environment for all staff.
