Major Gift Officer

Organizational Background

The Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is a rapidly growing leader in wildlife conservation focused on reversing crises facing threatened species. WCN brings together donors and conservationists to support community-led work on the ground to advance solutions for people and wildlife to coexist and thrive. WCN's three main conservation program areas include a Partner Network of 26 entrepreneurial organizations working in 21 different countries, a portfolio of 7 Wildlife Funds, and a Rising Wildlife Leader program to support early career, local conservationists.

Known for cultivating authentic, long-term relationships with donors, WCN raises over $50 million annually and maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and ensures every designated donation goes directly to partners in the field. Building on this success, WCN aims to raise at least $200 million over the next three years to meet growing conservation challenges while continuing to engage its loyal and expanding community of donors and conservationists. WCN’s dedicated and diverse team values the people and relationships behind conservation as much as the science and strategy to save wildlife.

WCN seeks a Major Gift Officer to play a key role on WCN's Donor Engagement team, as one of four portfolio managers helping drive revenue growth. The MGO will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 75-100 major-rated individuals and family foundations capable of giving a gift at the $100,000+ level. The MGO will focus on donors in the U.S. while also exploring philanthropic opportunities internationally.

Position Summary

The MGO will work closely with the Chief Growth Officer, WCN’s Leadership Team, Board and Advisory Council and Conservation Program Team to secure leadership-level and blended gift commitments in support of WCN’s network of conservationists and grantees, and appropriately highlighting the importance of unrestricted “core” funding to sustain WCN’s overall added value. A priority of the MGO will be to work directly with the Wildlife Fund Directors to help each of WCN’s seven Funds meet their fundraising goals and leverage increased support collectively. This individual is a proactive and highly motivated development professional with a nimble and creative work style. This is a unique opportunity to connect passionate donors with dynamic conservation leaders to help support their best ideas to protect endangered wildlife.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Fundraising - 70%

• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $100K+ a year to programmatic priorities and, where appropriate, to “core” funding that allows WCN to help conservationists build capacity, pilot innovative initiatives and respond quickly to urgent needs
• Serve as a liaison with Wildlife Fund Directors to identify, cultivate, and steward donors to meet each Fund's fundraising goals and champion their collective impact on landscape level conservation
• Collaborate with Communications team and Donor Engagement colleagues to provide compelling donor material and gift proposals
• Provide strategic guidance and participate in customized donor engagement opportunities as part of WCN's signature Wildlife Expo

Prospecting - 30%

• Identify and qualify new potential major gift donors, focusing on individuals and family foundation donors
• Work with Advisory Council to leverage personal and professional networks
• Collaboration with the Senior Director of Donor Operations on building robust prospect research capabilities
• Work closely with events team and remote staff to design regional events to engage donors in new markets
• Engage with philanthropic advisors and philanthropic collectives in the U.S. and internationally to increase WCN's visibility with high-profile donors

Qualifications

• 5+ years direct major gift experience with demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit donors of 100K+
• A proven record of securing meetings with prospective donors, and soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts.
• Skilled at working with philanthropists, combining a “go-getter” approach with the ability to create genuine, highly personal relationships with donors
• Work ethic reflecting WCN values of trust, transparency, and accountability
• Highly articulate in both written and spoken communication
• Knowledge of and passion for wildlife conservation
• Hybrid/Remote, preference in SF Bay Area or major metropolitan area

WCN’s Non-Discrimination Policy: WCN is committed to the principles of being an equal opportunity employer (EOE). WCN’s organizational policies, practices, programs, activities and decisions regarding employment are not based on a person’s race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, parental status, housing status, or other protected status, in accordance with applicable law. Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, individuals identifying with the LGBTQIA+ community, or members of other underrepresented groups in the conservation sector are strongly encouraged to apply.