Title: Development Officer, West Coast

Division: External Affairs / Individual Giving

Reports to: Director, Major Gifts

Matrix Management: N/A

Supervises: None

Location: Fully remote, West Coast (with regular travel to DC office)

Job Summary

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) seeks an experienced Donor Engagement Officer to secure major gifts ($10,000-$1,000,000+) for the organization through strategy development, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors located on the West Coast. Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts and working closely with the Individual Giving team, this position will work to fulfill the interests and passions of donors by providing them with giving opportunities, encouraging them to support AWF, and assuring that as many as possible are retained as continuing donors to the organization as well as upgraded in their giving and involvement.

The candidate must have a proven track record in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies supporting fundraising campaigns, gift planning, major gift procurement, and donor relations. This position will be key in helping raise $300 million as part of the “Resilient Africa / Resilient Planet” campaign.

Please note that this position is remote with the candidate living on the West Coast and based out of the Washington, DC office. The candidate must have the flexibility to travel frequently (including internationally). Some evening and weekend hours for donor outreach or event participation will be required.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate, qualify, directly solicit, and steward a portfolio of ~150 donors, including new donor/prospect acquisition.
• Create and manage individual goals for each donor and prospect in the portfolio.
• Create and execute a strategy plan for each donor driven by the donor’s passions, interests, and communication preferences in conjunction with the priorities of AWF.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with donors through regular communications and in-person meetings, traveling when necessary.
• Work collaboratively across departments to compile appropriate project information, including budgets, and create compelling proposals for donors.
• Create monthly reports on portfolio progress, activities, and other relevant KPIs.
• Assist with cultivation and stewardship events on the West Coast as needed.
• Perform other major donor activities as required by the Director and AWF management.

Performance will be measured by:

• Qualifying and disqualifying donors: including appropriate documentation.
• Acquiring new donors to AWF.
• Achieving overall agreed-upon revenue goals of at least $2 million per year.
• Retention and upgrading of donors, including cultivation of transformational gifts.
• Development of personal donor strategies that align with AWF priorities and donor interests, motivations, giving patterns, and ask and communication preferences.
• Ensure timely and accurate capture of donor information within AWF’s donor database (Raiser’s Edge/NXT).
• Securing project and organization information, working with colleagues to create and write effective proposals. Regular and timely reporting back to the donor.
• Create timely reports for the director that reflect portfolio performance.
• Management of donors, fiscal year deadlines, and budget while adhering to the policies and procedures of the organization.
• Communication and collaboration with peers and management; maintaining a positive and constructive attitude while solving problems, being a team player, while also protecting the mission, goals, and values of the organization.

Requirements and skills

• Experience cultivating and closing six and seven-figure major gifts; closing blended gifts; developing and executing donor strategies, and effectively cultivating and stewarding major donors.
• Ability to work with and communicate with a wide range of internal constituents across varying time zones including Board Members, senior management, program staff, finance team, and volunteers.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to persuasively convey the mission of AWF.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, multifaceted, results-oriented work environment.
• Must be willing and able to travel frequently (including internationally), and work evenings and weekends.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be proficient in basic donor/prospect research and relevant analysis, including navigation of databases and online resources.
• Strong working knowledge of the broad philanthropic landscape, including industry best practices and evolving trends in philanthropy.
• Experience managing a multi-state portfolio of diverse donors.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to adhere to AFP’s Donor Bill of Rights.
• Commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated frontline fundraising experience in nonprofit fundraising.
• Experience fundraising for multi-year large-scale comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• College graduate as well as higher education and/or advanced certification is preferred.
• Understanding of common industry databases and software including, but not limited to; Raiser’s Edge (NXT), and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Commitment to promote the mission and values of the African Wildlife Foundation including a personal passion for the environment, conservation, preservation, and wildlife.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.