Major Gifts Officer

WHO WE ARE

Seattle Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entering our 25th year with a history of successful advocacy, community capacity building, park construction, and fundraising on behalf of our city’s public spaces. We partner with community to champion thriving and equitable parks and public spaces. Our vision is that people feel welcomed and invested in our parks and public spaces, leading to healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities. We support our community through a robust fiscal sponsorship program. Our workplace is highly collaborative, professional, and respectful while nurturing a sense of fun. We are led by a strong and strategically engaged board of directors, and we strive to ensure that our team reflects the diversity of Seattle and has the cultural competence to ensure that we serve all residents of the city.

The following are our core commitments as an organization:

• We listen to learn, work in partnership, and lift up others.
• We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This means confronting our assumptions about structures of oppression and, in response, continually remaking our internal culture.
• We are accountable. When we commit, we deliver. When we make a mistake, we accept responsibility.
• We embrace change and the challenges that come with it.
• We nurture a culture of gratitude and continually celebrate and thank volunteers, staff, partners, and donors.

Seattle Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe that having staff, consultants, and volunteers with diverse backgrounds enables us to meet our mission while creating an inclusive organization that reflects our values. We strongly encourage applications from all races, ages, religions, sexes, marital statuses, sexual orientations, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for stewarding a portfolio of major donors to ensure revenue growth and strong relationships with our supporters. This position will report to the Chief Operating Officer. This person will work closely with the President and CEO (CEO), COO and our program leadership to meet revenue goals for the organization and partners through community-centric fundraising practices.

The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and influencer with insight and understanding of community-centric fundraising. They will have the capacity to create trusting, positive relationships with staff and partners, high net worth civic donors, the Seattle Parks Foundation Board of Directors, and public leaders who oversee funding for public space projects. They will also be effective communicating with constituents in person, by phone, email, or online platforms.

Portfolio Management and Growth: 90%

• Steward a portfolio of mid and major donors, increasing major donor revenue by a minimum of 5% annually
• Work with the CEO and COO to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donor prospects.
• Support CEO with scheduling of major donor stewardship and all external communications.
• Collaborate with CEO and COO on Capital Campaigns to support Operating revenue and partner campaigns as needed.
• Support fundraising for the Founder’s Circle and the Love Parks Campaign. MGO is responsible for outreach, engagement, and solicitation of identified prospects.
• Support 25th Anniversary activities and future events through planning, leadership, and sponsorship solicitations.
• Engage the CEO and COO, board, and community partner leadership in fundraising activities to ensure the most effective cultivation and solicitation outcomes.
• Record all cultivation and significant activities with funders and prospective donors in the organizational database, Salesforce.
• Help plan project site visits for key constituents and support activation events as required.
• Work with staff to develop and produce relevant materials such as proposals, cases for support, and solicitation letters.

Other: 10%

• As a member of the Development team, contribute and be accountable to annual organization planning, management, budgeting and evaluating processes tied to major giving.
• Represent Seattle Parks Foundation at external meetings, site visits, and events as requested.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in major gift fundraising.
• Fantastic relationship builder with people of various ages, professions, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Strong presenter both to individuals and corporations.
• Keen attention to detail and “above and beyond” stewardship of donor community through hand-written notes, phone calls and thoughtful outreach.
• Ability to work within organizational work plans and manage a large portfolio of prospective donors.
• A results-oriented mindset and creative ability to address funding opportunities.
• Great attention to detail while maintaining the big picture.
• Strategic and collaborative thinker.
• Understands database systems and other technology essential for effective program management.
• Experience with Salesforce and iWave an asset.

COMPENSATION

• Annual Salary Range between $80,000 - $95,000/year, based on experience
• Flexible hours and schedule
• Full-time employees earn 24 days of Personal Time Off (PTO) per year
• 100% employer-paid platinum level medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Wellness program and Lifecare employee assistance program
• 2% employer contribution to retirement plan

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to hr@seattleparksfoundation.org. Position open until filled. For best consideration, apply by Friday, July 5.