Job Openings
Major Gifts Officer (Southeast Region)
Until the mid 1960s, the pesticide DDT was widely used as a pesticide and an agricultural insecticide. Working with a lawyer and going to court on behalf of the environment, a handful of scientists on Long Island helped launch the modern environmental era by winning a ban on DDT. When they incorporated as the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in 1967, this bold group of scientists helped to launch the modern environmental movement. Today, EDF is one of America's most influential environmental advocacy groups.
EDF’s goals are to stabilize the earth’s climate, preserve species and habitat, protect human health and safeguard oceans and marine life. Guided by science, Environmental Defense Fund evaluates environmental problems and works to create and advocate solutions that win lasting political, economic and social support because they are nonpartisan, cost-efficient and fair.
EDF has an annual budget of $107 million and a staff of 380. The organization’s headquarters are located in New York City, and regional offices are located in eight states and China. Additional information on Environmental Defense Fund can be found at www.environmentaldefensefund.org.
To implement its comprehensive agenda, EDF is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to serve in the Southeastern region of the country. The Major Gifts Officer will be part of a national development team responsible for generating over $53 million in annual major gifts. S/he will be responsible for managing a high-end portfolio of donors and prospects. S/he will work closely with senior professionals in the national development department as well as with national and regional Trustees and program staff. The Major Gifts Officer is expected to identify, cultivate and solicit individuals in support of Environmental Defense Fund’s southeast and national agenda.
The Major Gifts Officer will report to the Director of Major Gifts and work closely with the Director of the Southeast office located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Southeast Major Gifts Officer will:
- Execute a strategic plan for increasing the revenue generated from high level, sophisticated donors, with a focus in the southeast.
- Design and implement overall engagement and fundraising policies and strategies as part of the national development team in order to continue the exponential growth of revenue from individual large gifts.
- Generate approximately $4 to $5 million in sustainable annual revenue, with appropriate increases in each subsequent year.
- Identify, cultivate and steward major gifts prospects with an identified gift level of $100,000 and up.
- Lead one-on-one solicitations as well as coordinate the President, volunteers, southeast and other program staff, in the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts prospects.
- Recruit and manage volunteers in support of the fundraising efforts, ensuring a high quality of volunteer participation and appropriate financial returns for the organization;
- Represent and articulate the work of the organization as a whole, with focus on and responsibility for organizational work within the southeast region.
- Work closely with program, development and donor communications staff persons to develop and implement information pieces, design and implement specific campaigns, and execute other outreach efforts and events for the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts.
- Assist in setting and meeting annual income goals for major gift prospects.
- Write and edit proposals and reports for potential donors working closely with the development marketing function to ensure there are compelling, visionary program ideas to present to donors and prospects.
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
Minimum of four years of demonstrated success as a direct, major gift fundraiser, with increasing levels of responsibility and comfort soliciting five- and six-figure gifts from individuals.
- Well-honed skills in developing long-term donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- A commitment to Environmental Defense Fund’s mission and values.
- Well-developed communication skills, including excellent writing and presentation skills.
- High proficiency with technology, particularly fundraising databases.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Location: This one position can be based in EDF’s Washington, D.C. or Raleigh, NC office.
Application: Inquiries, applications and nominations should be directed to jobs@edf.org
Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer.
Posted: 05-Sep-2008; Updated: 14-Apr-2009
