Director, Individual Giving (Major Gifts)

Position Type: Full Time

Compensation: $100,000-$120,000

EARTHDAY.ORG (EDO) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time position to a candidate to help grow  philanthropic support for EDO from individual donors, including family foundations. The successful candidate will work from our Washington D.C. (hybrid) and report to the Vice President of Development.

About EDO: EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day in 1970, EDO is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in over 192 countries to drive positive action for our planet.

Position Function: The Director of Individual Giving is a key member of the development team, helping to meet fundraising goals for EDO’s work in the U.S. and around the world. The individual in this role is responsible for developing, managing, and growing EDO’s individual giving and major gift program and contributing to the overall financial capacity of EDO. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Expand the EDO base of financial support by actively pursuing gifts from individuals, focusing on major gift level and above (donors capable of giving $1,000+). 
  • Lead the development of all concept notes, grant proposals, and budgets submitted to individual donors and family foundations, working closely with EDO’s program teams
  • Perform research for discovery and qualification of major donors capable of giving $1,000+ using a variety of online tools.
  • Develop and maintain a portfolio of individual donors (size of portfolio TBD based on discovery).
  • Initiate contact with prospects to qualify, cultivate, and close gifts and commitments.
  • Ensure active relationship building with both current and prospective donors, including regular outreach and in-person cultivation as appropriate.
  • Maintain accurate donor files in EDO’s CRM tools, in partnership with the Development Coordinator.
  • Work with the Development Coordinator to ensure timely gift acknowledgements.
  • Steward key gifts and relationships, including working with finance and program staff to develop communications materials, such as impact reports, financial reports, and other program or project updates as needed.
  • Participate in and document meetings and calls with current and prospective donors.
  • Create and maintain briefings of key major gift prospects and donors for senior and program staff.  
  • Conceptualize and execute a new planned giving/legacy giving program for EDO.
  • Provide input on and implement fundraising strategies for EDO’s work.
  • Assist with other fundraising duties as assigned by the VP of Development.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 6-8+ years’ experience with proven results in fundraising, including prospecting, cultivation, proposal development, and stewardship of individual donors and/or family foundations. Experience with conservation and/or biodiversity donors preferred. 
  • Experience with planned giving programs preferred. 
  • Experience and interest in conservation issues and a nonprofit environment preferred.
  • Excellent communication skills, including writing, editing, and telephone communication.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in common office procedures and software, including Microsoft 365 and Office Suite.
  • Familiarity with CRM systems and donor tracking.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment with a wide range of people, work well under pressure, and adapt to changing situations.
  • Ability to work independently, managing a variety of projects and tasks effectively, with minimal oversight, in a hybrid/remote environment.
  • Ability to represent the EDO with diverse partners and funders in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to travel to meet with prospects and donors as needed.
  • Ability to occasionally work during the weekend or evening.
  • Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail.
  • A commitment to the mission of EDO, ethical fundraising principles, and DEI principles.

Location: The position will work from EDO’s Washington D.C. office (hybrid).

Compensation: EDO offers compensation commensurate with skills and experience and will include a competitive benefits package. Salary for this position will be in the $100,000-$120,000 range commensurate with experience and considering locality.

To apply: please send your letter of interest and resume in pdf format with subject line: “Application for Director, Individual Giving position” to [email protected]. This position is open until filled. EARTHDAY.ORG is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in this search.