Major Gift Officer

Position: Major Gift Officer

Hours/Week: 15-20

Compensation range: $42-$48/hour

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Direct Report(s): None

Posted date: 6.21.2024

Internal Job Code: EXEC-MGO

✨ Are you passionate about your community? ✨

Do you want to eliminate racism, empower women, and ensure everyone enjoys peace, justice, and dignity? Are you committed to supporting families and helping children access trauma-informed education? Do you have a heart for maintaining shelters for those experiencing violence?

If you're an experienced fundraiser and friend-raiser, familiar with Salt Lake's philanthropic community, we want you Join YWCA Utah's Development Team as a Major Gift Officer (20 hours a week). Contribute your talents to support thousands and help the next generation thrive.

Be the change. Apply today

Organization Overview

Since 1906 YWCA Utah has been a voice for women, a force for change, and a place for hope. Our enduring belief is that better lives for women – all women – will lead to stronger families and communities.  YWCA is Utah’s most comprehensive provider of family violence services; our programs include walk-in services and a crisis line, emergency shelter, transitional housing, children’s programs, and a vast array of supportive services.

Mission: YWCA Utah is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women,

and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

YWCA Utah is an equal employment opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace.

Benefits

In addition to being a part of an organization dedicated to race & gender equity in Utah  and supporting survivors of domestic violence, benefits of working at YWCA include:  

• Generous package of vacation, sick, and bereavement time available to all employees (amount accrued varies based on hours/week)
• 11 paid holidays
• Professional development with internal and external training opportunities
• Free Employee Assistance Program providing counseling options to employees, partners, and dependents

Position Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, seasoned fundraising professional with demonstrated success in and an appetite for prospecting and cultivating new funding relationships while encouraging higher levels of commitment from existing donors. This person must have familiarity with  philanthropic landscape in the Salt Lake City area to help YWCA advance our fundraising goals.

The Major Gift Officer is a critical part of YWCA Utah’s Development Team, focused on 5-7 figure gifts within an existing portfolio of major donors and key prospects.  

The Major Gift Officer is expected to execute prospecting and retention strategies for a portfolio of existing donors and potential supporters who are capable of giving at the major gifts level defined at $10K – $1M+. This MGO will work with a diverse range of development and leadership staff.   

Essential Job functions

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward major gift prospects,
• Plan, implement, and manage a major gift fundraising program to meet departmental priorities by:
  • working closely with the CDO to establish major gift and annual fundraising goals; and
  • identifying and evaluating the giving potential of prospects while developing innovative strategies for cultivation and solicitation
• Help YWCA Utah donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization
• Secure Major Gifts at the $10,000-$1M+ level
• Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the CEO, CDO, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors with their solicitations through strategic counsel and donor communications

Competencies & Essential Skills:

• Commitment to YWCA’s mission: a strong commitment to YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
• Relationship-building: building and maintaining relationships with donors and prospective donors, having the ability to develop collaborative and warm relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Goal-driven: motivated to meet ambitious targets and take initiative toward goals.

• Highly organized time-management: able to demonstrate an effective system for managing an ambitious workload and identify and proactively address priorities.
• Attention to detail: Commitment to accuracy in communications, follow-through to maintain credibility and trust, exemplify high standards for performance and personal responsibility.
• Strategic Thinking: strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement, and monitor plans and translate those plans into fundraising and stewardship strategies.
• Flexible mindset: commitment to lifelong learning and ability to think outside the box to support various projects. The right candidate will be comfortable working independently and on projects with team members. Openness to working a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, is required at times.
• Compliance: Adhere to YWCA Utah’s policies and is committed to act legally and ethically within the scope of the work.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years fundraising experience with at least 2 years focused on major gifts/donors
• Successful track record building relationships with major donors
• Experience developing/building a major gifts program
• Self-starter, highly motivated, team player who can work independently
• An understanding of, and agreement with, YWCA Utah’s mission, values and philosophy regarding the elimination of racism, empowerment of women and commitment to anti-oppression work and social justice.
• Understanding and commitment to issues of cultural diversity and anti-racism.
• Ability to work scheduled hours on a regular basis, some weekends and evenings required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM software.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal communication, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, evaluate progress, and adjust activities to complete projects within established timeframe.
• Skilled in establishing effective working relationships.
• Ability to collaborate and invite collaboration.
• Able to demonstrate skills in effective communication, conflict resolution and problem solving.
• If driving on business, a valid Utah driver’s license, access to an automobile, and valid auto insurance required.

Physical/Sensory Demands

Work is generally performed in a safe and comfortable office environment.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:  sit for long periods of time; use computer to enter data; use telephone to converse with customers and employees; walk and stand for long periods of time; perform repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement. Travel to attend conferences, training, outreach and other events occurs routinely. Rarely required to lift up to 30 lbs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

YWCA Utah is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process due to disability, it is available upon request. No applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.