Major Gifts Officer II

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 Major Gifts Officer II (MGO) develops and implements strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors throughout the New England and upstate New York capable of making a major gift ($100k over three years). They conduct initial exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity and interest for major giving, build a portfolio of major donors, and manage their relationship with Earthjustice accordingly with a minimum fundraising goal of $1.5 million per year.

The MGO II 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 MGO II 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.

This position is based remotely in New England; Albany, New York; or the Hudson Valley, New York area.

Responsibilities

• Manage an active portfolio of 60-80 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.
• Achieve minimum annual fundraising goal of $1.5 million, along with goals for bequest intentions.
• Build relationships with donors and prospects via personal or video conferencing visits, phone calls, ongoing written contact, and events.
• Execute financial discovery with donors to determine Major Gifts capacity and reveal opportunities for non-cash gifts.
• Provide program information to donors and prospects and draft personalized correspondence and acknowledgments that demonstrate appreciation, recognition, and engagement of donors.
• Engage Board and Council members in donor work as appropriate and utilize their networks and influence to build the major donor portfolio in the region.
• Build and maintain a strong working knowledge of Earthjustice’s work in order to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about the work.
• Support planning and execution of donor events and field trips.
• Use donor databases to keep donor records up to date, track progress, and plan.
• Provide timely briefing memos and detailed contact reports for meetings and other contacts with donors. Record interactions with donors in the donor database.
• Promote team cohesion and a positive workplace culture by participating in department, office, and organization wide meetings, trainings, and skills sharing.
• Pursue opportunities for professional growth.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years related work experience.
• 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.
• Ability to skillfully prioritize and manage a portfolio and juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of major gifts and planned giving.
• Comfort working independently and as a team member with initiative and flexibility.
• 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.
• Sense of humor is desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with BBEC or other donor databases.
• Valid driver’s license required.

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 Boston, MA: $135,800 – $150,900

Salary range in Providence, RI, and New Haven, CT: $128,700 – $143,000

Salary range in Syracuse, NY: $121,500 – $135,000