Public Relations and Fundraising Managers jobs in South Carolina

Major Gift Officer

Position Summary

The Major Gift Officer is a highly independent role responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing annual, endowed, and planned gifts from individual donors to support Thornwell. This position requires exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with donors, prospects, and internal stakeholders. The Major Gift Officer will collaborate closely with Advancement leadership to align fundraising efforts with Thornwell's priorities and achieve individual and team fundraising goals. This position will have an established portfolio and the candidate must have the ability to move donors from warm to committed through direct solicitations.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing and managing a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.
Conducting identification and qualification.
Crafting and executing strategic donor cultivation and solicitation plans.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and internal partners.
Cultivating donor relationships that prioritize depth and connection with Thornwell.

In this role, a major gift is defined as $10,000+. This position will maintain a portfolio of 100-125 prospects, and his/her work is expected to result in $750k+ raised annually.

Individual Giving Specific

Identify, assess, cultivate, solicit, and close five, six, and seven-figure gifts from individuals.
Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for each individual.
Establishes a program of face-to-face personal visits with past, current, and prospective donors.
Strategically move major gift prospects through the development cycle from qualification to cultivation to solicitation to closing to stewardship. Understands, identifies, suggests, and utilizes multiple giving vehicles for the donor.
Uses Bloomerang systems to track progress and results.
Meets monthly and yearly metrics with respect to prospect and donor visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
Coordinates donor interests with the priorities of the organization and develops funding proposals to match interests with needs.
In close collaboration with the Advancement Operations team, helps coordinate stewardship reports to communicate with donors concerning the use of their gifts.

External Communications

MGO also fulfills an important, detail-oriented role, representing Thornwell to donors, prospects, Churches, and volunteers. Responsible for written communications with donors, such as letters, emails, annual fund proposals, and gift agreement drafts. The MGO will also have the opportunity to develop presentations, write blogs, and collaborate on annual giving collateral.

Skills and Qualifications

College degree and/or 3-5 years of experience in successfully securing five-figure annual gifts or major gifts with a commitment to serving children and families with a non-profit Christian ministry.
Must have frontline fundraising experience.
Preference to candidates in Upstate or Midlands of South Carolina.
Must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
Must have high confidence in financial conversations.
Excels at portfolio and time management.
Exemplifies integrity, reliability, accountability, confidentiality, resiliency, and strong ethics to foster trust with co-workers, donors, the community, and across the Thornwell networks.
Acts with professional excellence and a positive attitude.
Understands role in growing and protecting the Thornwell brand and reputation; respects and follows standards and safeguards that protect Thornwell's integrity.
Excellent public speaking, organizational skills, attention to detail, and sense of urgency with an emphasis on quality and accuracy of work.
Ability to prioritize and shift between tasks to meet deadlines in a timely manner despite interruptions.
Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
Donor focus - Builds strong donor relationships and balances donor centric solutions with Thornwell needs.
Drives engagement - Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
Possesses a passion for improving processes and the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and use of the Internet for research purposes.
Experience with donor relationship management software preferred; ability to learn current client relationship management (Bloomerang) software required.
Must have a valid driver's license and access to transportation throughout the workday.

Working Conditions

Works in a remote office setting with frequent travel. Uses office equipment, including computers. May sit for extended periods of time. Required to work daytime, and occasional evening and weekend hours.

Thornwell is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians and who possess a Christian commitment, as well as concern, for children and families in need.

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