Major Gifts Officer

Lambda Legal•New York, NY

7d•$90,494 - $140,375•Hybrid

About The Position

Lambda Legal seeks a dynamic Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to join its Development Department. The MGO reports to the Regional Director. This position is primarily responsible for acquiring, cultivating, and soliciting assigned individual donors and prospects with potential to give $1,500 or more annually, with a heightened focus on individual giving and upgrading donors to Major Donor levels ($5,000+). This role will establish and manage a growing portfolio of prospects by designing and developing solicitation strategies; identifying gift opportunities that match donors’ interests; and personally soliciting gifts and continually stewarding major gift donors. The MGO will work to expand Lambda Legal's Liberty Circle ($1,500+) Donor Program and volunteer activities in their assigned area/market. This role will also be responsible for managing relationships, communications, and individual giving plans with leadership donors and managing volunteer leadership committees in their assigned markets. The successful candidate will be a nonprofit fundraising professional with a track record of building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with individual donors. This is an exciting opportunity for a fundraiser that is prepared to excel in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

3+ years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and experience coordinating fundraising events.
Experience soliciting and closing gifts.
Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build authentic, long-term relationships.
Experience engaging racially and gender diverse groups, volunteers, and boards, with knowledge of LGBTQ+ and/or philanthropic communities.
Flexible, adaptive, and collaborative work style; able to contribute to both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
Self-directed and accountable, with the ability to thrive both independently and in highly collaborative team environments.
Strong organizational, time management, and critical thinking skills, with sharp attention to detail.
Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Raiser’s Edge (or similar CRM database).
Deep commitment to Lambda Legal’s mission and values, with high energy and passion for advancing equity and justice.

Nice To Haves

Campaign and annual giving experience
Experience soliciting and closing $5,000+ gifts
Direct fundraising experience in a non-profit setting, particularly in legal or political advocacy
Experience planning and/or staffing LGBTQ+ fundraising efforts and events in the New York, NY or Northeastern markets.
Successful candidates will welcome the opportunity to work in a racially- and gender-diverse environment and contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Working at Lambda Legal requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that Lambda Legal serves. Prior work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and/or people living with HIV is highly desirable. Experience working with other historically marginalized communities (in a professional or volunteer capacity) is also desirable.
All employees at Lambda Legal are expected to adhere to ethical conduct in all interactions and tasks, ensuring a positive and respectful workplace environment.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors ($1,500+), with a focus on upgrading Major Donor levels ($5,000+).
Develop and implement customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each donor, including personalized outreach and in-person meetings.
Acknowledge contributions and coordinate annual report recognition for gifts received from donors in assigned portfolio and work with national staff to coordinate input into grant proposals for local foundations and prospective foundation grantors.
Meet or exceed annual revenue goals for major gifts fundraising and meet key metrics for donor engagement and prospect development in service of these goals.
Handling administrative management of portfolios in the database (i.e. pulling reports, donor and pledge entry, etc).
Identify via local networks and Lambda’s database major donor prospects and steward and solicit said prospects.
Attend events regularly to engage with donors and prospects.
Create personalized stewardship plans for major donors, with an eye on their annual giving, event giving, planned giving, and corporate connections.
Develop deep knowledge of donors’ interests, motivations, and giving capacity.
Serve as primary relationship manager for major donors and volunteer fundraising committees in the assigned markets.
Support and manage annual solicitation of donors in assigned portfolio by the Chief Executive Officer, Board, NLC members, other key volunteers, and other Lambda Legal staff. This includes identifying and securing major donor prospect meetings for senior staff and organizational leadership.
Work with Lambda Legal staff, Board, National Leadership Council (NLC) members and other volunteers to execute fundraising and cultivation events in assigned markets and additional ones, as determined, including leading fundraising efforts for major fundraising events in their markets
Manage volunteer leadership committees and Leadership Donor fundraising plans, including identifying and securing event sponsorships (individual and firm/corporate), in assigned markets and others, as determined.
Provide support for regional events by coordinating and gathering necessary items from the office, assembling materials, and preparing attendee name tags to ensure a smooth and professional event experience.
Work with Lambda Legal staff to track, enter, and analyze event data within Major Gifts purview
Collaborate in-office with the Regional Director and Office Manager/Regional Program Coordinator to strategize on donor engagement and coordinate logistics for upcoming events, ensuring alignment on donor needs and event execution.
Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical benefits that begin on your start date
Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date)
Short & Long-Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date)
403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment)
Paid Vacation (15 Days)
Sick Leave (12 Days)
Personal Leave (3 Days)
Religious Observance Leave (3 Days)
Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave
Floating Holiday (1 Day)
12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures
Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits
Health Reimbursement Account
Annual professional development funds
$50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement
Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Premium subscription to the Calm App
Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions)