Major Gifts Officer East

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for assisting with the planning and implementation of the Friends of Trevor major donor program (annual gifts of $500 or more). The Trevor Project has a comprehensive major gifts program with approximately 1,800+ active members (nationally) and a goal of $1.4M for the fiscal year. The program includes significant relationship management, research, event fundraising, relationship management, prospecting, detailed donor records and a well-developed program of donor cultivation, recognition and renewal. Challenges include the opportunity to significantly expand membership and revenue, especially at higher-level gifts of $5,000 and up; as well as stewarding and renewing donors in a program that has grown in membership by over 100% in the past two years.

The Major Gifts Officer is also responsible for facilitating and tracking all fundraising activity; creating and tracking board fundraising partnerships; handling day-to-day administrative duties, updating the donor database with donor information, planning and implementing recruitment and orientation events and miscellaneous duties as assigned by the Development Director.

The East Coast Major Gifts Officer is also responsible for fundraising activity, events and relationship management in our eastern Ambassador cities.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, secure and retain annual gifts of $500 with emphasis on gifts at $2,500 and above.
• Work with the Development Director to plan, implement and manage a comprehensive national program to identify, cultivate, solicit, recognize and renew/upgrade major donors.
• Participate in all aspects of the Friends of Trevor donor program including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewal.
• Develop close working relationships with members of the board, key volunteers and, especially with high-net worth individuals and prospects with a view to renew, upgrade and engage in prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation.
• Participate in departmental donor prospecting and research functions.
• Quickly identify and resolve challenges involving donors, prospects and key volunteers, or with sustaining donor systems, procedures and communications.
• Manage Friends of Trevor cultivation and fundraising events and support the two TrevorLIVE events on both East and West coasts.
• Work with Ambassador City volunteers on fundraising strategies to ensure that Ambassadors achieve their respective fundraising goals and provide support for other Friends of Trevor activities.
• Review monthly results and revise year-end projections with a view to achieving annual budgeted goals.
• Collaborate with other departments on the creation of development communications, including quarterly newsletters and an annual report.
• In close cooperation with the Major Gifts Officer West, participate in annual budget development.
• Hire, onboard and manage a Development Intern with NY Colleagues.

Qualifications:

• 2 – 4 years of fundraising experience, with special emphasis placed on donor relations, prospecting, membership and annual funds.
• College degree or equivalent education and work experience.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts through a variety of outlets including phone solicitation.
• Dedication to teamwork.
• Comfort and poise in working with high level donors and philanthropists.
• Excellent communications skills in both written and oral communication including public speaking and presentation.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized with timely follow-through.
• Standard office computer skills, including word processing and spreadsheets.
• Working knowledge of the New York City LGBT philanthropic communities a plus.

• Experience with Raiser's Edge or equivalent donor software a plus.
• Dedication to the mission and goals of The Trevor Project and ability to communicate that dedication.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
• Demonstrated experience working in a multicultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is an important institutional value
• Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends as required.