idealist.org

In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection and advocacy organization, is seeking an Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts. The mission of IDA is to defend the rights, welfare, and habitats of animals. From rescuing, giving sanctuary and providing veterinary care to abused and abandoned animals in rural Mississippi; to chimpanzee victims of the bush meat trade in Cameroon, Africa; to street animals of Mumbai, India; to fighting the South Korean dog and cat meat trade; to protecting our nation's wild horses; to our campaigns against the puppy mills, vivisection, fur industry; to our campaign on behalf of elephants in zoos and circuses - IDA is a recognized leader in the advancement of animal rights and welfare and for advocating the protection for animals in their habitats.

Position title: Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts
Location: West coast (preferred LA/ San Rafael/ San Francisco) but flexible
Reporting to: Executive Director or Director of Development designate
Status: Regular, full-time, and FLSA exempt

Job Summary:
The Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts is responsible for building and implementing major donor development strategies for a major gifts program. The Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts will work closely with IDA’s Development Department, especially Director of Planned Giving and the Executive Director in developing strategies and opportunities for major gift donors and planned gift donors. The candidate will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, personal solicitation and stewardship of 75-100 existing and prospective major donors with a capability of over $100,000 over three years, and will be responsible for meeting an individual fundraising goal of at least $400,000 within the first year and grow to $2 million annually within 3 years. The candidate will build relationships through in person visits, written and verbal communications and proposals, and organize cultivation and fundraising events, and track progress made toward the goal.

The Associate Director/ Officer - Major Gifts will ensure that donors receive recognition and increase future giving opportunities. The candidate is expected to participate in strategic planning with IDA's organizational leaders, as well as to involve and liaise with appropriate staff and volunteers to ensure the timely fulfillment of recognition gifts and tracking prospects and donors while providing high levels of donor stewardship, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns and engaging them in overall strategy discussions as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
? Responsible for building and expanding IDA’s major gifts program.
? Assume responsibility for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of 75-100 individual actual and prospective major donors per year.
? Manage, monitor and research prospective and current contacts portfolio, track prospect and donor cultivation and solicitation activities using Salesforce database, and report regularly on progress ensuring positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations
? Develop and pursue strong cultivation and stewardship strategies to nurture, maintain relationships and close solicitation personally with major prospects and donors.
? Identify opportunities to seek and obtain major gifts and develop proposals, correspondence and stewardship reports as needed for donors.
? Help recruit, train, coach, motivate and offer prospect strategy counsel to Executive Director, Board members and identified staff to engage in and support solicitations and other cultivation/stewardship activities.
? Help plan and manage atleast 5 donor cultivation events per year, and assist with larger benefit events to increase Major Donor prospects through networking and cultivation.
? Work closely with development team especially the Director of Planned Giving and program staff to cultivate and solicit donors, develop and implement fundraising strategies and identify funding opportunities for organization-wide priorities
? Other responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:
• B.A./B.S. degree in business, marketing, non-profit fund raising/ management or equivalent education in relevant fields; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ progressive development experience working in a major gifts environment
• Proven demonstrable major individual gift fundraising experience in cultivation and personal solicitations of five and six-figure gifts.
• Thorough knowledge of fundraising principles – able to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to make cold calls and initiate contacts with potential donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the animal protection movement and issues along with an ability to speak to donors and behave in a nonjudgmental, respectful, and empathic manner.
• Must keep informed and up to date on IDA's campaigns, projects, updates, and news.
• Strong and progressive sense of fundraising ethics and practices, and respect for confidentiality of donor information.
• Knowledge of the animal protection donor community is helpful but not required.
• Outstanding interpersonal written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated ability to establish and sustain strong relationships are a must.
• High level of skill in training, managing and motivating staff and volunteers
• Strong computer skills are required; knowledge of Salesforce database is helpful.
• Demonstrated leadership and diplomatic skills and the ability to think strategically in a small, fast-paced environment is essential.
• Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and travel frequently if needed.
• The ideal candidate should be based in West coast (preferably L.A./ San Rafael/ San Francisco or California) but location can be flexible for the ideal candidate.
• Should be flexible to work remotely if necessary.


www.idausa.org

To apply please use job code ‘MAJGIF’ in subject line of email and submit cover letter detailing your qualifications for the position, writing sample, resume and your salary history and requirement by email to employment@idausa.org.