Job Description

MISSION STATEMENT: The Buffalo City Mission exists to restore hope and dignity to the hurting and homeless through the transforming grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Major Gifts Officer

As a Major Gifts Officer at Buffalo City Mission, you'll play a pivotal role in weaving the fabric of our community's future. Working hand in hand with the Development Department and the Executive Director, you'll dive deep into the heart of our mission, aligning closely with the charitable interests, passions, and values of our donors. Your mission is to foster and deepen these vital connections, fueling the sustainability and growth of our organization.

You'll be at the forefront of community engagement and fundraising efforts, taking charge of every facet of the donor development cycle. From identifying potential donors to cultivating their support, from heartfelt solicitations to sincere acknowledgments, and from nurturing church and corporate partnerships to stewarding long-lasting relationships, your work will ensure the Buffalo City Mission thrives now and in the future. Your role is essential in helping us meet our immediate needs while laying the groundwork for lasting impact, ensuring that every interaction reflects the spirit of generosity and shared commitment that drives our mission.

Being a Major Gifts Officer is more than just a job. It's about:

Making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.
Inspiring others to use their resources for good.
Being a strategic partner, driving the Mission's sustainability and growth.
Building a community of compassion and generosity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND TASKS

A representative summary of tasks to be performed is provided below . The employee may be asked to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically stated in this description. The duties and responsibilities of the position are to be carried out in a manner consistent with the mission, values, and operating principles of the Buffalo City Mission.

Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization.
Manage a portfolio of approximately 250+ donors and actively solicit and close gifts of $10,000+ to advance the Mission's programs and services.
Generate new ideas that increase revenue and donor loyalty.
Schedule weekly 3-4 in-person meetings, and tours to secure major gifts from corporate, church, and major donor supporters because you enjoy asking for support.
Maintain long-term relationships with existing donors. Identify and build new relationships with prospective donors within the community.
Develop strategic funding requests based on the organization's short-, intermediate-, and long-term funding goals for high-net-worth individuals.
Act as primary relationship manager for individual and private foundation prospects of five to six figures each year to reach or exceed annual funding goals.
Works collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, and other development and advancement staff and coordinates with the organization to cultivate and solicit donors for organization priorities and needs.
Plan and implement funding campaigns, events, and activities (volunteer experiences, and tours) for individual major gift donors using existing activities as appropriate.
Execute major gift materials, including briefing memos, proposals, and stewardship materials.
Manage and coordinate volunteer donor groups to cultivate and request new gifts.
Record weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activities to achieve major gift revenue goals in the donor management database.
Assist with review and verification of major gift donor recognition lists.
Track and report relationship management activity using constituent relationship management system including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and current individual major donors.
Participate in regular staff and organization-wide meetings.
Represent the organization to all clients, volunteers, and co-workers in a Christ-like manner that serves as an example of Christian behavior.
All other duties and responsibilities as needed by the Buffalo City Mission.

Requirements

Experience:

Bachelor's degree or related transferable experience required.
3-5+ years of experience in outside sales with a track record of securing five to six-figure gifts.

Other Qualifications:

Excellent written and oral communication skills
Experience in moves management and closing deals to build a sustainable pipeline of new and repeat business.
Possess a valid NYS Driver's License with highly reliable transportation.
Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed set financial goals and performance metrics
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively
Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision
Strong writing, oral, and presentation communication skills
Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office Suite computer skills
Experience with constituent relationship management system
Attention to detail and strong project management skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Professional attitude and appearance
Ability to travel, this includes daily, local, and outside office appointments (50-75% of the day)
Currently have and ability to maintain a clean driving record.
Ability to be on the phone frequently during the day (50% of the day)
In the midst of a mature walk with Jesus Christ and able to articulate belief.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Customer Service - demonstrate the ability to respond with urgency to the needs and requests of others , internally and externally, and ensure a high degree of responsiveness to all donors without regard to their giving level. Understand the impact of their work on others.
Understand safety policies and actively promote safe practices in the workplace.
Maintain constructive relationships and demonstrate respect for everyone contacted.
Deal constructively with conflict and focus on the situation, issue, or behavior and not on the person by diffusing situations before conflicts arise, resolving conflicts directly, and actively promoting and gaining cooperation from others.
Willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.
Take the initiative to identify and act on problems and lead by example. Consistently make decisions that resolve problems .
Planning & Organizing - Develops, implements, evaluates, and adjusts plans to reach goals while ensuring the optimal use of resources.
Ability to effectively present ideas and concepts to groups and to communicate persuasively.
Teamwork -Relates well to all kinds of people regardless of level inside or outside the organization. Uses diplomacy and tact when dealing with and interacting with others. Diffuses tension. Fosters collegial and cooperative attitudes. Works effectively to achieve common goals.
Communication Intelligence - Listens to others, able to communicate issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences and overcome resistance; fosters open communication and manages emotion in positive ways.
Client Focus - Understands and meets customer needs, whether internal or external, providing a high level of service and cooperation courteousness & sensitivity)
Initiative & Adaptability - Deals with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities and a personal willingness and ability to respond to changes.
Staff Development - Fosters the development of others by providing a supportive environment for enhanced performance and professional growth.
Leadership - Creates a climate in which people are inspired to do their best. Able to motivate others to work effectively toward a common objective and retain staff's respect.
Visioning / Strategic Thinking - Develops and inspires commitment to a vision of success, supporting, promoting, and ensuring alignment with the Mission's vision and values.

Organizational Expectations:

Mission - Christian beliefs compatible with the spiritual and pastoral mission of the Buffalo City Mission. Act as a knowledgeable and effective ambassador to the community.
Accountability - Willingly accepts personal responsibility for decisions, actions, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to the overall effectiveness of the organization. Communicates effectively, follows through on assignments, uses resources efficiently, participates in learning opportunities, and treats others with respect and dignity.
Excellence - Serves as a role model and performs job responsibilities to the highest standards in every situation. Demonstrates commitment to quality of service.
Focus - Understands and demonstrates behaviors consistent with the mission and values of the organization while contributing to the overall success of the strategic plan.

Payment Expectations:

For the crucial role of Major Gifts Officer at Buffalo City Mission, we offer a salary range of $55,000 to $60,000, dependent on experience. This compensation reflects not just the skill and dedication required for this position but also the moral and ethical significance of the work. In recognizing the profound impact of your efforts on our community, we strive to ensure that your reward mirrors the deep value and lasting change you help to create. This role is more than a job; it's a partnership in our mission to foster hope, support, and transformation within the community we serve. By joining us, you become a key architect of a brighter, more secure future for those we aid, underpinned by a salary that respects the importance of your contribution to our collective vision.

Salary Description

$55,000 - $60,000 DOE

This job was posted on Sun Feb 18 2024 and expired on Thu Feb 29 2024.

Minimum $55K /yr

$58K /yr Average

Maximum $60K /yr

Tasks

Identify and build relationships with potential donors.

Write and send letters of thanks to donors.

Secure commitments of participation or donation from individuals or corporate donors.

Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.

Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.

Create or update donor databases.

Direct or supervise fundraising staff, including volunteer staff members.

Develop or implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programs.

Solicit cash or in-kind donations or sponsorships from individual, business, or government donors.

Monitor progress of fundraising drives.

Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.

Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.

Establish fundraising or participation goals for special events or specified time periods.

Monitor budgets, expense reports, or other financial data for fundraising organizations.

Contact corporate representatives, government officials, or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes, activities, or needs.

Recruit sponsors, participants, or volunteers for fundraising events.

Write reports or prepare presentations to communicate fundraising program data.

Design or produce materials such as posters, Web sites, or newsletters to promote, market, or advertise fundraising events.

Write speeches, press releases, or other promotional materials to increase awareness of the causes, missions, or goals of organizations seeking funds.

Explain the tax advantages of contributions to potential donors.

Plan and direct special events for fundraising, such as silent auctions, dances, golf events, or walks.

Attend community events, meetings, or conferences to promote organizational goals or solicit donations or sponsorships.

Direct or coordinate Web-based fundraising activities, such as online auctions or donation Web sites.

Develop corporate fundraising programs, such as employer gift-matching.

Secure speakers for charitable events, community meetings, or conferences to increase awareness of charitable, nonprofit, or political causes.

Prepare materials such as fundraising envelopes, bid sheets, or gift bags for charitable events.

Develop and maintain media contact lists.

Coordinate transportation or delivery of materials, supplies, or donations for fundraising events.

Skills

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Knowledge

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.