Careers

Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer (Development)

Job Type: Full-time

Faithful Friends Animal Society (FFAS) seeks an experienced Major Gift Officer (MGO) with a passion for making a difference in the lives of pets and people. Use your skills as a relationship builder and animal advocate to support Delaware’s most progressive no-kill animal welfare organization. Your work will help to strengthen our base of individual donors in support of the ambitious and strategic growth of the organization. You’ll work alongside a dynamic development team in our new, modern animal adoption and community center.

Be part of this growing, innovative, and mission-focused team! Reporting to the Director of Development & Public Relations, the development team works with the support of the organization’s leadership to best support the needs of high-level supporters to ensure the organization’s donors have a positive and rewarding philanthropic experience. 

Are you motivated by creating positive change for the benefit of the community and comfortable securing major gifts of $10,000 and higher? Looking to use your communication skills to reach diverse audiences and seek out creative solutions to challenges? Driven to meet funding goals for the advancement of a cause you are passionate about? If you answered yes to these questions, this position is for you!

Primary Responsibilities

As the MGO, you will be a driving force on the development team responsible for meeting expectations for major gifts in our annual budget, identifying and qualifying prospects to expand our donor base, and developing stewardship plans to increase gifts from current supporters. 

You will take the lead on preparing plans, proposals, and relationship-building actions to engage a portfolio of approximately 100 major donor prospects, ensuring there is consistent and comprehensive donor engagement. 

The outcomes of your efforts will be measured by regular reports shared with the leadership team and board of directors that will include fundraising activities, funds raised, donor relations, acknowledgments, and contingency plans that accurately reflect progress toward building strong relationships and increasing donor support.

You will play an important role in organizing donor-centric events and will have a presence at the organization’s major fundraisers in the spring and fall. In addition, you may be asked to represent FFAS at external functions and events.

Skills / Experience

The right professional for this position has a familiarity with FFAS, a true appreciation for the mission of our organization, and a passion for helping animals and people. 

We seek an effective communicator, a positive force for change, and someone who values building and maintaining strong relationships with staff, volunteers, and donors.

We recognize experience comes in all shapes and sizes. We seek a professional with a minimum of 5 years of non-profit development experience, or equivalent, with a proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and securing five- to seven-figure gifts; a demonstrated understanding of prospect screening; and experience with systematic donor qualification, solicitation, and recognition.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite; and a high degree of proficiency in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software are required. 

Bachelor’s degree / Master’s degree / CFRE preferred

Must be able to work around animals. Some travel required.

About Faithful Friends Animal Society

Faithful Friends Animal Society (FFAS) was founded in 2000 and now serves 18,000 pets and 24,000 people each year through programs and services that focus on the most vulnerable. For 23 years, FFAS has led reforms in animal welfare that have become the building blocks for a comprehensive, humane animal welfare system in Delaware. The number of pets and people we serve each year continues to increase as the demand for our services continues to grow. FFAS is funded through donations, grants, and fees for services with the majority of funding being allocated for community programs and services. In summer 2023, the organization will move into its new home in New Castle, Delaware on a 27-acre property granted by the state of Delaware. The new animal adoption and community center is in the final stages of construction and will be complete with walking paths, gardens, and meet-and-greet areas.

VIDEO: 2021 Superstars in Business: Faithful Friends Animal Society

Compensation

Annual Salary: $68,000 – $75,000

Benefits: Paid vacation, paid sick leave, health insurance, flexible work schedule, professional development assistance, employee discount for veterinary care

Flexible, equitable, family-friendly and inclusive work environment that values work-life balance. We are committed to inclusivity and encourage qualified candidates from all cultures and communities to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer. 

Work Authorization/Security Clearance: Must pass criminal background checks / drug testing as required for the role

How to Apply: Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter and resume to Shannon O’Neill, Director of Development, at shannon@faithfulfriends.us.