Major Gifts Officer

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The Denver Foundation is the largest and most experienced community foundation in the Rocky Mountain West. For nearly 100 years, people in Metro Denver and across Colorado have trusted The Denver Foundation to steward charitable funds to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities. In partnership with generous donors and community partners, we lead a community-wide effort to build a better future for everyone.

WHAT WE DO:

As a tax-exempt, nonprofit, philanthropic organization, The Denver Foundation stewards more than 1,000 funds established by generous donors. In partnership with the Foundation, our donors make gifts to organizations throughout the seven-county Metro Denver region, across Colorado, and beyond.

The Denver Foundation stewards a permanent endowment — The Fund for Denver — made up of charitable gifts from generations of generous people who care about Metro Denver. We invest these gifts for financial growth and use that income to fund our community impact grantmaking and programs.

WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK AT THE DENVER FOUNDATION:

The Denver Foundation's vision is a Metro Denver that is racially equitable in its leadership, prosperity, and culture, and we are a catalytic leader that engages critical issues and accelerates systems change.

To achieve this, we believe that all staff must be intentional in applying Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity to their practice. The ideal candidates for this position will be committed to racial equity.

WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK IN THE IMPACT GROUP:

The Denver Foundation’s Impact Group is responsible for delivering exceptional outcomes to drive the Foundation’s community leadership. The Impact Group is responsible for managing all aspects of the Foundation’s revenue development, donor stewardship, grantmaking, and leadership activities around public policy, evaluation and learning, and philanthropic leadership and engagement. The Impact Group is dedicated to leveraging philanthropy and generosity to help create a more racially equitable community, in which all residents have the opportunity for a high quality of life and a voice in their futures.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is a high-level frontline fundraising and donor services position. The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of the Foundation’s top donors, providing personalized support and philanthropic advising to help donors realize their giving goals, and in so doing, support the Impact Group in reaching the Foundation’s annual fundraising goals. This position will also play a significant leadership role in the Foundation’s 100^th Anniversary campaign and will participate in The Denver Foundation’s model of engaged philanthropy, combining community and fundraising work in each position, by participating in Community Grants and scholarship review panels.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Donor Services and Fundraising Development

• Service a portfolio of approximately 120 donors, including high-level donor-advised fundholders (lifetime) by:
• Connecting several times annually with donors and prospects to provide services, solicit support, and provide updates on their impact and the Foundation’s work
• Engage the portfolio in Foundation activities, programs, and projects through cultivation and stewardship
• Expand connection to the portfolio by encouraging donors to share their financial and legal advisors with the Foundation for additional referrals, and asking donors to refer friends, family, and colleagues to the Foundation for philanthropic partnerships.
•  Promote giving to and through The Denver Foundation via personal consulting with donors about the importance of permanent and flexible funds with a racial equity focus, that are collaborative and provide community-based solutions
•  Provide family philanthropy services to fundholders at The Denver Foundation, including partnering with Engaged Philanthropy Officers and Special Fund Managers when appropriate
• Through gift solicitation, contribute to the Foundation’s annual fundraising goals, including blended gifts, and build its planned giving pipeline for future sustainability
• Actively engage in developing and executing the strategy for the Foundation’s 100^th Anniversary campaign, actively engaging high-level donors and helping to manage volunteer fundraisers to further the campaign’s efforts; partner with campaign consultants, trustees, and The Denver Foundation’s CEO and executive-level staff in identifying, cultivating, securing and stewarding Campaign gifts.
• Track and report giving trends among the high-level portfolio donors so the Foundation’s leadership is more connected to donor activities and issues
• Help to train and develop colleagues on donor stewardship and evaluation; with Senior Director, coach team members in moves management
• Serve on the Community Grants Program review panel twice a year and one scholarship review panel to maintain a connection to the community-based work of the Foundation

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

•  At least fifteen years of experience in major gifts fundraising or financial services advising
• Ability to build and grow relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures
•  Experience and understanding of charitable deductions and gift planning vehicles and motivations
• Experience with major gift fundraising in the context of campaign work
• Strong, demonstrable customer service orientation and excellent interpersonal and relational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•  High level of confidentiality and professionalism
• An unwavering commitment to racial equity
• Belief in the model of community foundations
• Commitment to the philosophy of the Impact Group, bringing together all philanthropy at the Foundation
• Ability to build relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in planned giving and with complex gifts
• Family philanthropy advisor or CAP certification
•  A broad network of financial and philanthropic advisors
• Knowledge of C-suite software for moves management purposes

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The position is based in an office environment with a mix of private offices and cubicles. Travel throughout the metro Denver region is a frequent requirement of the job. The position will occasionally be asked to staff weekend and evening events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Daily communication via phone.
• Frequent extended hours in front of a computer screen with or without accommodations.
• Regular group and public speaking.
• Occasional activities occurring outdoors.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested applicants should complete the application located on our Careers page at http://www.denverfoundation.org/About/Careers. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE DENVER FOUNDATION’S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: The Denver Foundation shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.

The Denver Foundation practices and champions inclusiveness in our community. We honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community. Candidates from traditionally marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply.