About this role
Reporting to the Vice President of Development for Strategic Development, this position is responsible for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts in support of annual operations, special projects, and capital projects. This position’s immediate charge will be to grow the overall donor pip eline with a focus upon the $ 500 to $ 10 ,000 range. At an exciting time of growth for the Zoos, this person will engage prospective donors in creative ways while se rving as a positive ambassador for Zoo New England.
Essential Job Functions
- Manag e a portfolio of approximately 1 5 0 donors, prospects and corporate clients
- Identify , evaluat e, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of contributing gifts of at leas t $ 500 annually
- Identify , evaluat e, cultivate, solicit i ndividuals capable of making capital gift s at in a similar range
- Some evening and weekend work required to cultivate and manage prospects and donors
Duties & Responsibilities
- Rapidly become familiar and conversant regarding our Zoos, programs, policies and our value proposition
- Prepare meaningful and effective funding proposals, reports and customized collateral for individual donors, p rospects and corporate clients
- Schedule, manage and attend regular donor meetings
- Attend committee meetings as required and represent the Zoos at networking events
- Provide executive-level briefing materials in advance of meetings for Vice President of Development and leadership staff
- Develop strategies for the cultivati on and stewardship of major donors and prospects
- Create strategic events to attract prospective donors and en gage them with Zoo New England
- Identify donors for planned giving
cultivation
- Work with donors, friends and volunteers of Zoo New England to identify , cul tivate and solicit prospects
- Manage all information relating to current major donors and prospects in Raiser’s Edge, in a manner that emphasizes the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, tho roughness, and confidentiality
- Develop annual and monthly plan s
for donor portfol io; m onitor productivity and modify as necessary
- Solicit gifts from donors and prospects, both independently and working collab oratively with other solicitors
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required,
master’s degree preferred .
- Experience working with volunteers a nd program staff or equivalent
- Superior written and oral communication skills
- Excellent research skills
- O utstanding interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage complex iss ues creatively and effectively
- Ability to work collaboratively and succ essfully as a member of a team
- Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned
Preferred Job Requirements
- Minimum of 1-3 years demonstrated suc cessful experience in fundraising with a focus on prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
- Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge, MS Office Suite ; Word, Excel, Outlook
- Philosophical commitment to Zoo New England ’s mission
- Strong initiative and self-motivation; abilit y to make independent decisions
- Knowledge of wildlife, environmental and conservation issues highly desirable.