Be the best YOU!
Being a part of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) means you have a shared passion for supporting youth in reaching their full potential. YOU is a place where your unique background, perspectives, and talents are valued, and help innovate new program ideas to best support youth in our community.
You can make your impact here! Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where the work you do is truly valued. You will have the freedom to excel in your way by serving young people and knowing you are making a difference for our community.
Come be a part of a team that works alongside youth as they work on goals and be there to celebrate when they achieve those milestones. Help us continue creating a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.
Reporting to the Director of Community Engagement, the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for leading the development and execution of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) major giving program. This position is focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding partners capable of making significant philanthropic investments ($25,000+). The Major Gifts Officer will be critical in advancing YOU’s mission by building strong, lasting relationships with donors and aligning their interests with organizational priorities, including capital projects and long-term sustainability. The Major Gifts Officer holds a passion for YOU’s mission, vision, and values, and is committed to supporting youth in reaching their full potential. Qualified candidates possess exceptional communication and leadership skills, work well in a fast paced and dynamic environment, and hold values that support our corporate vision of being “A community where youth are embraced and will thrive”.
Responsibilities:
- Design and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors with the capacity to give $25,000 or more.
- Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects through personalized cultivation and solicitation plans.
- Work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, board members and key volunteers to leverage networks and maximize fundraising opportunities.
- Develop compelling proposals and donor communications in collaboration with the Community Engagement Team
- Solicit sponsorships for YOU’s signature events in alignment with broader philanthropic goals.
- Establish and grow YOU’s planned giving program, including outreach, cultivation, and stewardship of donors interested in legacy giving.
- Provide donors with personalized guidance and resources to support gift planning.
- Track and report planned gift intentions and forecast long-term revenue.
- Build authentic, long-term relationships with current and prospective donors to deepen engagement and commitment to YOU’s mission.
- Identify opportunities for growth and expansion within existing relationships and potential new partnerships.
- Provide donors with timely and meaningful updates on how their gifts are making an impact on YOU clients and the community.
- Working closely with the Director of Community Engagement to create customized stewardship plans and experiences that meaningfully recognize donor contributions and demonstrate impact.
- Coordinate donor visits, tours, and recognition events to strengthen relationships and transparency.
- Represent YOU at various community events and meetings
- Conduct research using internal databases, public records, and third-party tools to identify prospective major donors.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, and giving history.
- Prioritize prospects and implement strategies to move donors through the giving pipeline.
Qualifications:
- Completion of post-secondary education at the college or university level in Fundraising, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
- Minimum of four (4) years of experience in a similar role
- Proven success in major gift fundraising within a charitable or non-profit setting
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage, inspire, and motivate donors
- Knowledge of planned giving principles and donor-centered fundraising best practices
- Highly motivated and results-oriented, with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience working with CRM systems and donor databases
- Proficiency in managing a moves management pipeline