Internews (http://www.internews.org/), a 25-year-old international nonprofit organization that fosters independent media and access to information for people around the world, is launching the next era of its donor development and outreach programs and is seeking an experienced, innovative and dynamic major gifts officer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. This individual will be expected to develop, cultivate and engage major donors, primarily on the West Coast. Internews has a strong presence in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe, and international travel may be required. The Major Gifts Officer/West Coast will play a key role in the expansion of Internews fund development programs, and will report to the Vice President for Development.

The Major Gifts Officer/West Coast will work with the staff and Board of Directors to engage prospective and current individual, family foundation and donor-advised fund donors in Internews’ vital mission and bring them forward as new or increased-level donor-investors.

Job Summary

The Major Gifts Officer/West Coast creates and oversees the implementation of a strategic approach to major donor development and major gift fundraising which includes, but may not be limited to, strategies for identifying prospects, qualifying prospects and current donors, developing solicitation strategies, cultivating, soliciting, recognizing/stewarding donors and evaluating the next level of potential involvement for donors.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Major Gift Officer/West Coast’s responsibilities will include the performance or supervision of the following duties:

Collaborate with the CEO, senior management and program staff and Board of Directors to create a major gifts plan for the West Coast which increases revenues to support the strategic direction of the organization
Implement the major gifts plan in accordance with ethical fundraising principles
Monitor and evaluate major gift fundraising activities to ensure that the fundraising goals are being achieved
Monitor trends in the community or region and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary

Develop and manage timelines for various cultivation activities to ensure strategic plans and critical fundraising processes are carried out in a timely manner
Engage board in donor development activities and work with them to provide guidance, coaching and support in their assignments.

Prepare regular reports on progress, budgets, receipts and expenditures related to fundraising and the management of the fund development activities and submit to the Vice President for Development and other senior staff

Help develop a comprehensive communication plan to promote the organization to major donors and maximize public awareness of the impact of major giving on Internews
Build relationships with community stakeholders to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organization

Personal characteristics:

The Major Gifts Officer should demonstrate most of the following:

Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve the finances of the organization and to create new opportunities
Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization.
Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
Focus on Donor Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of donors to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
Plan: Determine major giving strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
Willingness to Travel: Internews has worked in 70 countries to date and has US offices in Arcata, California and Washington, DC. Job requires travel, some international.

Qualifications

Experience

5 to 7 years of fund raising experience with a minimum of 3 years in major gift fundraising – or the professional equivalent in another field that requires the same skills and characteristics

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, graduate work a plus

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of general fundraising management and major gifts
Knowledge of legislation affecting not for profit organizations
Knowledge of how to engage the board in major giving

Proficiency in the use of computer for:

Fundraising software
Word processing
Databases
Spreadsheets
E-mail
Internet research

Salary and benefits competitive.

To Apply:

Interested candidates meeting the qualifications should forward a cover letter and resume to 876-in (at) internews (dot) org (re-write in standard format), placing “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line. EOE M/F/D/V

Employment

Major Gifts Officer/West Coast Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Background