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Gift Officer

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This will be a remote work position based in California (proximity to the Bay Area or Los Angeles preferred). Conservation International does not have an office in the region so the Director of Development will work remotely full time.

The Gift Officer helps donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with Conservation International. They are responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding new prospects and individual donors with Major Giving potential ($25,000+ annually). They are responsible for achieving specific multi-figure short-term and long-term fundraising goals and growing the portfolio to meet yearly and multi-year revenue targets. This position will be based in the Bay area in California, with a portfolio focus on prospects and donors based in the state of California and a small portfolio of donors in select markets in Hawaii and the Southwest.

This position works closely with development leadership and staff throughout Conservation International to collaborate on fundraising opportunities and strategies. They represent CI externally and continually build strong relationships with prospects. They develop and execute cultivation strategies for prospective major donors and work closely with the midlevel giving team on the donor qualification process. They will develop strategies that include direct solicitation and hold cultivation meetings that will lead to large gifts to support operating and restricted program needs. They will prepare detailed progress reports of all fundraising activities and work with the Donor Experience team to develop proposals aligned to strategic priorities.

Duties are performed under limited or “as needed” supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue Generation
  • Raise at least $750,000 in the initial 18 months and grow the portfolio to $1-2 million over time.
  • Create a portfolio of at least 80-100 major gift prospects to contribute to overall organization fundraising objectives; complete at least 10 gift solicitations of at least $25,000.
  • Maintain up-to-date revenue projections toward annual revenue goals in collaboration with Major Gifts Sr. Manager.

Portfolio Management

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for all donors and prospects within their portfolio to raise awareness of CI’s mission and broaden CI’s funding base.
  • Manage and document moves management activities to increase portfolio productivity to meet annual and multi-year revenue goals. Provide monthly and ad-hoc progress reports.
  • Engage donors through in-person or virtual visits (at least 60 per year), collaboration with CI program staff, mailings, emails, etc. to advance solicitation efforts.
  • Steward existing donors via written reports and in-person briefings as appropriate.
  • Utilize internal and external research to identify high-net-worth individuals new to CI.

Relationship Development

  • Work closely with senior development staff and CI leadership to recruit and cultivate Leadership Council members in the region.
  • Partner with CI field and program staff to foster deeper relationships with donors.
  • As needed, work with partner organizations in the local community as part of donor relationship building.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • 25% - 50% local and regional travel required.
  • Ability to work irregular and extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or up to four years of college-level work.
  • 7 or more years of related work experience in directly soliciting major gifts.
  • Experience working with board members and key volunteers in identifying and cultivating prospects.
  • Demonstrated track record of successfully cultivating and securing significant gifts of $50K or more from assigned prospects.
  • Success in this position requires a person who is a self-starter and can work independently and has impeccable professional integrity and confidence.
  • This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
  • Success in this position is also dependent on the person having a deep interest in the environment and being highly motivated, committed to teamwork and individual achievement, professional in demeanor, flexible, organized, and forward-thinking.
  • Professionalism, knowledge of protocol, and discretion.
  • Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.

Preferred

  • Experience working with high-level executives and High-net-worth individuals
  • Experience with fundraising and development at an NGO.
  • Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or another fundraising database.
  • Experience or Interest in global conservation.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.