Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Major Gifts Officer will support Burning Man Project’s ability to retain current major donors and expand the major donor portfolio by identifying, recruiting, and soliciting new major donors of $5,000 - $100,000. This individual 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. This position is part of a high-performing Philanthropic team that, together, implements a comprehensive development program of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding annual, major and planned giving donors and prospects for unrestricted and restricted needs in support of Burning Man Project’s mission.

This is a regular, full-time, eligible for benefits role, with preference given to candidates located in proximity to one of Burning Man’s operations (San Francisco, CA, Reno, NV, or Gerlach, NV.) Working hours will be based on Pacific Time.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Major Gifts Officer will report directly to the Director of Philanthropic Engagement and will work closely with the entire Philanthropic Engagement team, including other gift officers. 

AUTHORITY TO ACT: EMPOWERMENT

The Major Gifts Officer is empowered to make decisions on their day-to-day activities and will work closely with the Director of Philanthropy on their longer-term projects and strategic goals.  

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PERCENTAGE OF TIME SPENT

Secure Major Gifts (40%)

• Manage a portfolio of 50-100 major gift donors and high-wealth prospects who have the capacity to make multi-year commitments of $5,000 - $100,000 and above. 
• Conduct personal visits with major donors and prospects, scheduling a minimum of 4 - 8 significant in-person visits or calls monthly for the purpose of field research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Create and implement moves management plans
• Maintain an annual pool of prospective major gift donors who will be solicited in the next 12–18-month period. 

Identify, Cultivate and Steward Donors/Prospects (40%)

• Identify major gift prospects and develop compelling engagement strategies to solicit and close gifts. In collaboration with members of the Philanthropic Engagement team, identify, develop and cultivate a significant prospects pipeline as part of the organization’s evolving fundraising strategy.
• Participate in planning, organizing and supporting events to cultivate and steward major donors.
• Travel for the purpose of prospecting and donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Donor acknowledgement and communication.
• Participate in acknowledging major donors in accordance with Burning Man Project’s established practices.

Report and Database Management (10%)

• Prepare written proposals, gift agreements, funder pitches, and other materials needed to define, secure and document major gifts. 
• Effectively utilize Salesforce to maintain records of contacts with donors and prospects; analyze potential donor research materials to target appropriate givers; and track, evaluate and present relevant giving information.
• Track and report progress using specific metrics.

General (5%)

• Maintain donor confidentiality and ensure compliance with related policies.
• As a member of the Philanthropic Engagement team team, participate in event support as called upon from time to time. 

Other Functions and Responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Sample duties

• Documentation - Assists in the creation, publishing, and maintenance of process documentation related to their assigned duties.
• Knowledge sharing – Helps acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.
• Training development - Collaborates with the education team to develop training materials in their area of expertise, as requested.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes. Participates in conferences, forums, and networking events, where appropriate.
• Speaking – Represents Burning Man as a subject matter expert and culture-bearer, as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

The ideal candidate will be a results oriented, proactive, self-directed and organized professional who possesses the following skills and attributes: 

• 5+ years of experience in fundraising.
• A bachelor’s degree.
• Ability to establish, cultivate and steward strong professional relationships with stakeholders to build lifelong partnerships and trust while aligning their passions with Burning Man Project’s mission.
• Collaborative problem solver who brings an entrepreneurial approach to designing personal donor engagement strategies.
• Innovative, self-motivated, able to manage multiple projects well, working both independently and as a team member.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and calmly switch gears when priorities/objectives change.
• Ability to adjust schedule seasonally to work at the Burning Man event held in Nevada 

Preferred

• Preference will be given to candidates with a documented record of successfully closing gifts within or above the range outlined. 
• Advanced degree and/or advanced certification such as CFRE preferred. 
• Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills required; strong familiarity with Salesforce or customer relationship management (CRM) systems and procedures a plus.
• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.

Note: If you have gained the necessary experience to succeed in this role and have acquired this experience in other ways, we encourage you to apply and share all relevant experience in your application.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid driver’s license and a good driving record

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa:  Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required.
• On-playa:  Work could include walking or using some form of manual transportation. Some of the work will be in outside weather conditions and will be exposed to fumes or airborne particles as well as possible extremes in temperature.

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