Major Gifts Officer

The Institute for Ecological Civilization (EcoCiv) works with partners around the world to bring about the transition to a sustainable form of human life on this planet. Our vision of ecological and economic wellbeing is global; it includes values, institutions, beliefs, cultures, and actions. To live ecologically is to recognize that all living things are members of ecosystems, and then to act to "to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community" (Aldo Leopold). In promoting ecological civilization, EcoCiv works toward the development of human societies that are structured to promote a cooperative relationship between the planet's human inhabitants and the biosphere they inhabit.

The Institute for Ecological Civilization is a rapidly growing international non-profit, having carried out projects in ten countries to date and with others on the horizon. Its projects consistently focus on long-term and multi-sector solutions for food, water, and economies. By combining model programs on the ground with global dissemination, EcoCiv takes concrete steps towards replicating and scaling the kinds of systems and structures that will make possible sustainable human societies on this planet ― an ecological civilization.

The Position

EcoCiv is hiring a Major Gifts Officer. This is a half-time (20 hour a week) position, reporting directly to the President and to the Managing Director. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Although successful work with major donors does entail some travel, this is a remote position; the successful candidate will not need to relocate.

The Major Gifts Officer will be supported by the Executive Assistant in the Presidents Office, by staff in several departments who have development responsibilities, and by the Major Gifts Task Force of the board. The primary goal of this position is to locate and cultivate individual philanthropists who will eventually decide to support the work of EcoCiv with major gifts.

The successful candidate will bring a deep concern about the environmental crisis and its impact on people and planet. They will be excited about the solutions-oriented work of the Institute for Ecological Civilization as it works in multiple countries around the world, eager to share the importance of this work with prospective donors, and skilled at cultivating interested persons and encouraging them to support the Institute’s work in important ways.

The position requires familiarity with the needs and interests of philanthropists, especially (but not exclusively) in the private sector. The successful candidate will understand and affirm the mission of EcoCiv. They will represent the Institute with some of its most important external contacts, build significant relationships of trust with philanthropists and people of means, and guide the President in deciding when meetings and asks are appropriate.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will

• Research, contact, and establish relationships with individual donor prospects; describe EcoCiv’s work to them in accurate and attractive ways; introduce them to management and program staff as appropriate; and help build the President’s relationship with these individuals. Ideally, the Major Gifts Officer will already know philanthropists in this field who have the interest and capacity to make major gifts;
• Contact the individuals and keep records of interactions on Salesforce;
• Engage the President or other EcoCiv staff at appropriate points in the process, determining when to arrange meetings between them and the potential donor, and when to be present at these meetings;
• Recommend individuals who might be willing to serve on the Major Gifts Task Force, and others whom the board might consider as potential board members;
• Bring experience and maturity to the position. The successful candidate will require minimal training and supervision; they will be able to work independently, while bringing in EcoCiv staff at the appropriate times.

Sample List of Activities

• researching prospective donors, whether through existing contacts, online research, or their own pre-existing contacts. These will be people who also have a deep commitment to environmental action, and thus to the mission of EcoCiv;
• organizing and prioritizing donor contacts; communicating the results of meetings to the President and staff;
• enlisting staff and board members to assist in building relationships;
• communicating the mission, vision, and work of EcoCiv to a variety of individuals, both in writing and in direct conversations;
• developing and maintaining significant relationships with persons of means who have deep interests in supporting the path toward an ecological civilization;
• maintaining and improving the donor records in the Salesforce database, and use the database to track prospects.

Education and Experience

• College graduate;
• Prior development experience. It is highly desirable that the individual have secured major (six-figure) gifts with one or more donors in the past;
• Familiarity with the needs and interests of philanthropists; comfortable in building relationships with, and winning respect from, very successful individuals, many of whom have been leaders in private sector businesses (previous work experience in the private sector is desirable but not required);
• Flexible hours (sometimes outside normal working hours due to time zones and the global reach of our organization);
• Ability to travel as necessary to meet and cultivate donors and to close gifts;
• Strong and demonstrated written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong time management and self-motivation skills;
• Ability to manage detailed and highly confidential information about prospective donors.

Requirements

This position is only open to those legally able to work in the United States of America.

How to Apply

Submit your application via the link with 1) a cover letter detailing your qualifications, 2) resume/c.v., and 3) list of 3 professional references.

Applications will be reviewed as received, and the job will remain open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply soon in order to be fully considered.