Senior Development Officer, Major Gifts

Earthjustice is the legal backbone for the environment. Founded in 1971, we annually represent nearly 400 non-profit organizations for free in over 250 cases that promote a clean energy future, preserve our natural heritage, and safeguard our health.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Earthjustice has nine regional offices, an international program, a legislative team and a communications team. We represent coalitions that drive broad environmental protection, prevent irretrievable losses, and ensure that environmental laws are put to work. Our experience and distinguished track record enable us to mount strategic and effective campaigns that result in lasting environmental protection.

Position Overview: 

Working within the Major Gifts team, the Senior Development Officer, Major Gifts position is responsible for managing the fundraising activity of approximately 200 major donors and prospects in the New York region encompassing New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The individual is responsible for the identification, evaluation, cultivation, solicitation and management of individuals capable of contributing major gifts of at least $5k annually, with a focus on individuals capable of gifts of $25k and over. The position will be located in Earthjustice's Northeast regional office in New York City.

Responsibilities:

• Solicit gifts from major donors and prospects, both independently and working collaboratively with other solicitors.
• Prepare meaningful and effective funding proposals, reports and customized collateral for individual donors and prospects.
• Schedule, manage and regularly attend donor meetings.
• Provide executive-level staffing, including appropriate, concise briefing materials in advance of meetings, for President, attorneys/staff, and trustees.
• Develop strategies for the cultivation and stewardship of individual major donors and prospects.
• Create strategic events to attract prospective donors and engage them with Earthjustice.
• Identify opportunities for life-income, bequest, and complex-asset gifts, working with planned giving staff to maximize opportunities with donors.
• Work with donors, friends, volunteers, and trustees of Earthjustice to identify, cultivate and solicit prospects that will lead to major gifts.
• Manage all information relating to current major donors and prospects in a central database, in a manner that emphasizes the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, thoroughness, and confidentiality.
• Develop annual plan for donor portfolio and regional assignments. Monitor annual plan results and modify as necessary.
• Develop expert familiarity with assigned regions and programmatic needs; maintain current knowledge of key regional developments as they occur. Maintain working knowledge of national programmatic priorities.
• Extensive field activity and travel is required.
• Engage Earthjustice trustees in fundraising efforts, working with President, Vice President of Development, Director of Major Gifts, and appropriate program staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, higher degree a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years demonstrated successful experience in major-gifts fundraising with a focus on prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Proficiency with databases, MS Office Suite; Word, Excel, Outlook required.
• Experience working with trustees, volunteers and programs staff or equivalent.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent research skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage complex issues creatively and effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully as a member of a team.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation; ability to make independent decisions.
• Knowledge of environmental and conservation issues highly desirable
• Travel required; some evening and weekend work required.

Compensation: We offer a mission and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package including excellent benefits. Diversity is highly valued. For full position description and to learn more visit Earthjustice.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume along with cover letter. Please include "Senior Development Officer, New York" in the subject line.

NO TELEPHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy.