Major Gifts Manager

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is seeking a full-time Major Gifts Manager to raise financial support for our organization by cultivating and stewarding a group of qualified donors, increasing the donor retention rate, and growing levels of giving and involvement. 

The ideal candidate will be an energetic fundraiser who can deliver on ambitious goals and make a compelling case for investing in political action and policy change to protect Michigan’s land, air and water. They will be a natural relationship builder who can navigate crowds, as well as one-on-one meetings, and who can translate electoral, accountability, citizen engagement and public education campaigns into compelling offers for financial support. This position is an opportunity to build relationships across the state, to build power at the intersection of the environment and politics, and to provide meaningful opportunities for generous people to contribute to a mission that matters. This position, alongside a team of tenacious colleagues, will advocate for strong environmental protections, and build and amplify the voices of communities of color and other key constituencies who are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues.

Job Responsibilities 

The Major Gifts Manager reports to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and is responsible for the following: 

• Identifying and managing a portfolio of qualified prospects and donors throughout the state. 
• Building upon the existing donor stewardship established over the past few years through the establishment of a prospect plan that includes the involvement of staff and board across both organizations. 
• Setting individual goals based on donor history and potential, and then creating and delivering on individual stewardship plans for donors that include regular updates about the impact of their gift, polished publications and marketing materials, and genuine personal contact. 
• Working closely with board members and other volunteer major gift fundraisers to integrate them into a broader major donor strategy. 
• Working with the Programs, Operations and Executive teams to create offers, proposals and asks to secure gifts that represent our work and include appropriate project information such as budgets and timelines.
• Creating monthly and quarterly reports that reflect portfolio activity and performance, and acting on those results to improve performance and reach goals. 
• Working closely with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to support additional staff and the Executive Director to plan for and achieve monthly fundraising goals, including financial event goals. 
• Traveling as needed around the state and often working outside of an office setting. 

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who are motivated to raise money for political action and policy change, who are natural and genuine relationship-builders, and who are results-oriented. You should have: 

• At least 3 years of experience managing a portfolio of donors.
• A track record of managing people, process and deadlines necessary to achieve fundraising goals. 
• An ability to qualify donors that represent the highest giving potential for our organization, create reasonable individual financial goals and create personal contact and ask plans. 
• A strong desire to build new, genuine relationships, listen to people from diverse backgrounds, meet them where they are, and create partnerships that are mutually meaningful. 
• Writing and speaking skills that translate into compelling pitches, effective asks and meaningful reports to donors on the impact of their gifts that reflect the mission, goals and values of our organization.
• A consistent approach to new ideas with a sense of possibility and a can-do attitude. 
• A belief that who we elect matters and that the protection of Michigan’s land, air and water should be a political priority. 
• Cultural Competence
  • Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms.
  • Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.
  • Understanding of how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and has a passion for working to dismantle these systems.

Benefits and Compensation

Michigan LCV offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes the following: health and dental coverage, long-term and short-term disability coverage, life insurance coverage, a retirement savings program, reimbursements for business-related travel, a generous paid time off policy, and a team of smart, funny and kind colleagues working together to deliver on a mission that matters. 

How to Apply

Please send your cover letter, resume and three references in PDF format to jobs@michiganlcv.org and include “Major Gifts Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning July 12, 2021.

https://michiganlcv.org/