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Position Summary:

The Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in further building a robust major gift program for The Strong National Museum of Play by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual donors and prospects primarily at the $20,000+ level. The prospect pool for this position will consist of museum constituents, collections donors, annual giving donors, toy/game/video game industry leaders, toy and game enthusiasts, volunteers, and others. Reporting to the Senior Director of Institutional Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer will work both independently and in concert with Institutional Advancement colleagues, museum leadership, staff, and volunteers to support the key philanthropic priorities of The Strong. The incumbent will have an opportunity to build his/her portfolio to an ideal size of 100 - 125 major gift prospects. Progress toward specific activity goals, including visits, gift solicitations, and stewardship will be evaluated in an ongoing manner.

This hybrid position requires a self-motivated, confident, and engaging professional with demonstrated success in building relationships and closing major gifts from donors. At The Strong, museum staff cooperate with one another to further the museum’s overarching objectives and to complete museum projects. Staff share their enthusiasm with others, act with integrity in accordance with the highest ethical standards and demonstrate commitment to the museum and a passion for our mission in all public contacts.

Essential Duties:

+ Develop and implement strategies to achieve museum fundraising goals through major individual gifts

+ Annually conduct 25 solicitations with a focus on major gift solicitations ($20,000 or more, ranging all the way up to $1M+), planned giving solicitations, and leadership annual giving solicitations ($5,000+)

+ Conduct, track, and document 100 donor visits/year

+ Manage and maintain a portfolio of 100 - 125 assigned major giving prospects with a focus on $20,000-level gifts and above

+ Implement prospect identification, discovery, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship strategies

+ Develop and execute individualized cultivation plans for prospects while methodically tracking progress

+ Draft and finalize compelling written gift proposals and gift agreements

+ Generate and deliver customized stewardship plans and impact reports for donors

+ Actively collaborate with colleagues from across the museum to identify engagement opportunities and appropriate philanthropic strategies for potential donors

+ Contribute to an ongoing system of prospect assignment, tracking, and activity. Track all prospect interactions and proposals in the donor database. Create, update, and maintain donor database records as needed.

+ In conjunction with the Advancement Services and Annual Giving Coordinator, ensure that acknowledgements to donors are personal and timely

+ Assist with special projects as assigned by the Senior Director of Institutional Advancement and Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships

+ Participate in the annual Institutional Advancement team budgeting process

+ Assist in other initiatives related to fundraising and development, as well as general support of museum events and outreach

+ Other duties as assigned, including participating on museum committees, project teams, and process teams

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

The candidate may have any combination of education and experience but should possess the required skills and knowledge for successful performance. Our general minimum requirements for this position are:

+ Bachelor’s degree

+ 5-7 years of experience in major gift and/or annual fundraising at a nonprofit, cultural, educational, or similar institution

+ Successful track record in meeting and/or exceeding fundraising goals and objectives

+ Understanding of and enthusiasm for The Strong’s mission

+ Sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse educational environment, inclusive of guests, staff, and trustees of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds

+ Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, with an emphasis on critical listening skills

+ Ability to work well under pressure and handle several projects at once. Must be self-motivated, well-organized, and flexible

+ Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small fundraising team with minimal administrative support

+ A positive attitude and strong sense of personal responsibility and work ethic

+ Comfort and proficiency with computer technology, especially the Microsoft Office Suite, and in conducting internet research. Experience in database management with CRM software preferred

+ Ability to work evenings and weekends, and travel as needed to meet donors and prospects where they are

These qualifications are considered a plus:

+ Master’s degree

+ Knowledge of the Upstate NY area donor base

+ Knowledge of the toy and video game industries

+ Experience working at a museum or cultural institution

Disclaimer:

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Within reason, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employees are expected to accept reasonable assignments whether or not they are specifically included in this position description.