Major Gift Officer

The Major Gift Officer, a new role within the organization, will be responsible for developing strategy and managing a portfolio of current donors and prospects to The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) and the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE), its affiliate. The assigned portfolio will cover the western region of the United States. This position reports to the vice president of development. 

The ideal candidate for this role is an aggressive fundraiser who is self-motivated and comfortable working on a metrics-based fundraising team. Under a realigned development strategy, this role will step into a growing development team focused on rapid expansion of resources and capabilities. The Major Gift Officer will join two other frontline fundraisers focused on current major gift donors and campaign prospects, with new prospects being moved up in the pipeline from a re-envisioned mid-level giving program. Candidates should have a demonstrated history of building relationships and soliciting donors. 

TFAS will consider candidates based in Washington, D.C. or a virtual office based in the western U.S. If based in a virtual office, prior history of successful virtual office work is preferred.   

Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Major Gift Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in managing efforts of senior staff in support of TFAS/FTE Annual Fund and 50th Anniversary Campaign goals and objectives
• Managing a portfolio of major gift donors and campaign prospects in the assigned region
• Working with senior vice president, volunteers and campaign counsel to devise donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies that results in support for the Annual Fund and 50th Anniversary Campaign
• Working with the vice president of development, campaign leadership and campaign counsel to execute the public phase of the campaign, with a planned kickoff in early 2018
• Communicating campaign priorities and current status with current and prospective donors to further cultivate their relationships with TFAS and FTE
• Completing at least 100 visits with donors annually, with the understanding this will increase as the portfolio grows
• 35–40% travel expected

Skills and Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:

• 2+ years of experience
• Consultative sales, capital campaign and/or major gift experience strongly preferred
• Experience working with high-level prospects and volunteers preferred
• Ability to effectively work under pressure, use independent judgment and produce a quality work product within tight time constraints
• Ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative and provide solutions to achieve department and organization objectives
• Ability to quickly and accurately assess priorities and be proactive in meeting important deadlines – highly organized and detail oriented 
• Excellent communication, effective listening and strong interpersonal skills
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and relevant development experience preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or comparable CRM software preferred

About TFAS
The Fund for American Studies is a nonprofit organization that sponsors educational programs in Washington, D.C. and abroad for undergraduate students and young professionals with outstanding leadership potential. For more information, please visit our websites: www.TFAS.org; www.TFASinternational.org; www.DCinternships.org.

Our Mission
The Fund for American Studies offers transformational programs that teach the principles of limited government, free-market economics and honorable leadership to students and young professionals. TFAS programs inspire these future leaders to make a difference in their communities and throughout the world by upholding the values essential to the preservation and success of a free society.

Our Vision
To win over each new generation to the ideas of liberty, limited government and free markets.

How to Apply 
Qualified candidates should submit the following in one PDF file with their first and last names in the file name:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your sincere interest in this position/the mission of TFAS and your salary requirements

Please include “MGO, TFAS–[Your Name]” in the subject line of your email.

Materials should be emailed in one PDF document to Claire Kittle Dixon, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search, at claire@talentmarket.org.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. No phone calls please.