Major Gifts Officer

_*Overview:*_ Youth First is a non-profit organization that provides school-based mental health professionals and prevention programs in 14 counties across southern Indiana.
With 25 years of proven success, our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based prevention programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success.
These services remain easily accessible and completely free to the students and families we serve because of our trusted partnerships, unique funding model, and strong philanthropic efforts.
_*Purpose:*_ Youth First's mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success.
Youth First's values include *Compassion, Relationships, Accountability, and Empowerment.
*We are seeking a highly skilled Accounting Manager with a desire to use those skills to support an organization serving youth and families.
The Major Gifts Officer will maintain a strong donor-facing presence with an emphasis on cultivating, stewarding, and inviting support of both new and long-time supporters of Youth First.
The Major Gifts Officer will work closely with the Vice President of Development, President & CEO, Founder, Board, other volunteers, and staff to identify and execute strategies that engage high-capacity donors, deepen partnerships, and achieve fundraising goals.
The Major Gifts Officer will continually collaborate with and leverage the vast network of supporters and partners across our footprint.
*Reports to: *Vice President of Development *Remote Work Option: *Hybrid work plan of up to two days remote may be requested after supervisor determines that onboarding is complete and employee is prepared.
_*Roles and Responsibilities:*_ *1.
* *Portfolio Management:* a.
In collaboration with staff and board members, identify, create, and execute unique, tailored fundraising strategies for high capacity individuals, corporations, and private foundations within the assigned portfolio.
b.
While maintaining the utmost discretion and following ethical fundraising practices, successfully advance prospects and donors through the donor cycle including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, resulting in secured gifts and annual goal attainment.
c.
Actively engage with Board members, Donor Development Committee members, and other volunteers to identify prospects and facilitate introductions and invitations to support.
d.
Continually communicate and collaborate with Marketing & Communications, Events, and Grants team members to ensure the appropriate overlap of donor engagement, solicitation, and communication is in place throughout the year.
e.
Throughout the fiscal year, ensure each donor-specific outreach and stewardship metrics are thoughtfully executed, reported on and evaluated with leadership and committee members on a monthly basis.
f.
Ensure outreach and stewardship metrics are recorded appropriately for each account utilizing Salesforce, in addition to updating contact information, capturing key intel, uploading relevant attachments, and monitoring metrics within assigned dashboard.
*2.
* *Presentations, Proposals, and Donor Recognition:* a.
Effectively gain understanding of donor motivations by running research, asking questions, listening to and affirming each donor with gratitude and hospitality.
b.
Create and deliver impactful and transformative gift proposals.
c.
Effectively invite donors to invest (short and long-term) in Youth First’s mission and negotiate, honor, and implement each unique request for donor recognition.
d.
When appropriate, work alongside Grants team to identify, cultivate, and steward private and corporate foundation relationships.
Provide support with narrative insight for written proposals, assist in executing funding deliverables and coordinating appropriate donor recognition in a timely and effective manner.
e.
Collaborate with Communications & Marketing team when media alerts, social media posts, check presentations, etc.
are appropriate for gift announcements and donor recognition.
*3.
* *Special Events and Other Assignments:* a.
Represent Youth First annually at the Breakfast of Champions, the Passport to Adventure Auction, and other fundraising events throughout the year, as well as occasional key community events if needed, to develop and nurture strategic relationships with stakeholders and community leaders.
b.
Responsible for other duties as assigned.
_*REQUIREMENTS*_ · Bachelor’s Degree required.
· 3+ years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
· Experience in volunteer management, especially engaging, motivating and successfully utilizing volunteers to achieve fundraising goals.
· Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences.
· Excellent written/verbal communication skills and presentation skills with experience presenting to varied audiences.
· Ability to present and deliver complex prevention and outcomes data as well as speaking to the financial health of overall organization.
· General understanding of current market, economic, and political landscapes.
· Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills with experience handling objections.
· Strong knowledge of the organization’s mission, values, programs, services and corporate culture is highly desired.
· Team player committed to developing and working within a collaborative environment and to ensuring the highest customer service orientation.
· Pro-active, self-starter with a can-do attitude required.
· Knowledge of MS Office 365 systems and Donor Database CRMs preferred.
· Marketing, public relations, fundraising trainings/certifications and planned giving experience are a plus.
_*EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY*_ Youth First will not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, assignment, evaluation, promotion, discipline, termination, or any other employment action on the basis of any characteristic or class, which is now or may in the future become protected by law.
Employment with Youth First is based solely on qualifications and competence for the particular position to be filled.
Since such qualifications and competencies are not peculiar to any type or class of individuals, and since Youth First recognizes the value of a diverse workforce, there will be no discrimination in employment decisions and actions on the basis of age, race, gender, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Job Type: Full-time Benefits: * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Work Location: Hybrid remote in Evansville, IN 47708