Senior Major Gifts Officer I

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.

The Senior Major Gifts Officer I (SMGO) develops and implements strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors capable of making a major gift ($100k over three years). They will be charged with expanding Earthjustice’s profile in New York City through networking, outreach, and partnership with volunteer leadership. They will conduct initial exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity and interest for major giving, and build and manage a portfolio of major donors. They will be responsible for an eventual minimum fundraising goal of $2 million per year.

The SMGO understands and applies complex principles of developing donor strategies. They will be responsible for direct asks for Earthjustice’s priorities to meet funding needs. They can discuss assets and listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, and can confidentially discuss planned giving opportunities. The SMGO will build constructive and effective relationships, involve and engage appropriate partners in Development, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues and/or concerns, and address questions as needed. They are capable of featuring the organizational priorities in detailed terms, understand project Budgets, and may build proposals utilizing this knowledge. They will be required to use Earthjustice’s donor database and may develop proposals.

Responsibilities

• Grow a portfolio of donors in the New York City area through prospecting, networking, and outreach with philanthropic advisors, community foundations, and other connectors.
• Develop strategies and implement plans for engaging MG prospects and donors. Develop strategies and implement plans for qualifying, cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting those donors.
• Responsible for meeting revenue, solicitation, visit, and outreach goals set forth in annual work plan each year and regularly discussing progress with supervisor with an ultimate annual fundraising goal of $2 million, along with goals for bequest intentions.
• Work closely with Board of Trustees and Earthjustice Council members supporting their engagement and fundraising efforts.
• Travel regularly for donor visits, events, field trips, and trainings.
• Work closely with program leaders and donor relations staff to provide updates, acknowledgments, recognition, and personally engage donors and prospects.
• Build and maintain a strong working knowledge of Earthjustice’s work in order to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about the work.
• Contribute to the creation of the budget, collateral materials, research profiles, and lists for targeted mailings and events.
• Support planning and execution of donor events and field trips.
• Use donor databases to keep donor records up to date, track progress, and plan.
• Pursue opportunities for professional growth.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy, and foster a respectful and productive working environment.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years’ related work experience in fundraising or equivalent.
• Experience using effective interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
• Experience soliciting and closing $100k gifts from individuals.
• Knowledge of and experience working within New York City’s philanthropic community.
• Self-starter with ability to navigate multi-level structures and stakeholders.
• Collaborative, and with experience working with organizational leadership.
• Ability to absorb and synthesize complex program information and translate into a compelling case for donors.
• Well-developed written and oral communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of major gifts and planned giving.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and some experience with donor databases.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement fundraising initiatives including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Aptitude to determine an individual’s interest, capacity, and inclination to help Earthjustice meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with
  Earthjustice’s work.
• Ability to accurately assess situations with informal or incomplete information and make good decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment; maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to skillfully prioritize and manage a portfolio and juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfort working independently and as a team member with initiative and flexibility.
• Sense of humor is desired.
• Contributes towards an equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages partnership, active listening, and integrating diverse perspectives.
• Supports Earthjustice’s core values of partnership, inclusion, justice and excellence.

Salary & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits. We also offer a casual and congenial work environment.

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and working location.

Salary range in New York, NY: $149,300 – $165,900
Salary range in New Haven, CT: $134,500 – $149,400