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Major Gifts and National Events Manager

Reports to: Senior Vice President for Development

Department: Development and Strategic Planning

Staff reporting to this position: None

Position classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Summary

Working with Senior VP for Development and Director of Development, develops strategy and manages the annual giving program to help raise $20 million in general support from existing and new individual donors throughout the country. Helps plan and implement all stages of major donor outreach plan including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, follow-up, and donor stewardship. Manages Senior VP for Development’s donor and prospect outreach via mail, telephone and one-on-one meetings. Working with Senior VP for Development, Director of Development and donors, organizes and manages prospect events in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Austin/Houston, Atlanta, and Seattle. Manages and staffs donor and prospect meetings with CAP experts. With Senior VP for Development, identifies new prospects, and makes recommendations for program, annual dinner and/or increased giving.

Responsibilities:

Working closely with Senior VP for Development and Director of Development, help develop, organize and implement annual giving program to raise $20 million in unrestricted giving from approximately 200 current and new donors.

Solicitation

  • Plans all details of donor renewal process.
  • Ensures that all appeals are appropriate to the donor and are of high standard.
  • Ensures that all materials are mailed and received in a timely manner.
  • Works with Senior VP for Development and Director of Development to identify opportunities for increased giving by existing donors.
  • Reviews donor files and Salesforce database, checking all recent correspondence, meetings, and events participation to assess interests and nature of relationship with the Center in order to customize fundraising materials appropriately.

Follow-up and Management

  • Follows up on status of renewals and pledges by developing and maintaining call lists for Senior VP for Development, Director of Development, Center President and other Center leadership or through directly contacting donors.
  • Drafts appropriate follow-up correspondence.
  • Monitors progress toward goals and plans annual fundraising activity accordingly.
  • Works with Development Assistant to verify accuracy of weekly and monthly financial status reports.

Stewardship

  • Keeps up to date with CAP research program and policy activities and donor interests, and notifies donors of relevant CAP work accordingly.
  • Working with the Senior VP for Development and Director of Development, plans a comprehensive stewardship program that includes a series of events and periodic updates on relevant CAP research and activities.
  • Writes and prepares stewardship and cultivation correspondence for donors and prospects, as well as reports on use of gifts as needed.
  • Communicates directly with donors by phone and in person, providing general information, assistance, and follow-up as requested by donors.
  • Monitors and manages meeting requests to ensure they are appropriate for donor giving level and interests.
  • Prepares briefings for visits and meetings with major donors for use by the President, experts, and other senior staff. This may include researching donor background, recent news, and recent participation and contact with CAP.

Working with Senior VP for Development and Director of Development, organizes and manages prospect events in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Austin/Houston, Atlanta, and Seattle.

  • Works with Senior VP for Development and Director of Development to secure event hosts in major cities.
  • Through research and event host coordination, identifies and manages event guest lists.
  • Organizes and managers invitation process.
  • Works with Senior VP for Development and Director of Development to identify and secure participation of appropriate CAP experts for events.
  • Manages event logistics including travel.
  • Drafts event briefing memos for CAP leadership, produces nametags, compiles appropriate marketing and policy materials.
  • Oversees contribution follow-up.

Develops and manages pool of new major donor prospects

  • Captures prospects identified by President, Senior Vice Presidents, experts and other senior staff, and identifies new prospects from a variety of sources.
  • Conducts research to determine potential interest areas vis a vis CAP’s research and policy priorities and conceptualize appropriate solicitation and cultivation strategies.
  • Conducts research on donor giving interests and histories.
  • Contacts prospects to determine viability of solicitation.
  • Prepares for and staffs donor prospect meetings.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum of three years relevant fundraising experience required.
  • Understanding of and interest in public policy research.
  • Working knowledge of development systems.
  • Experience organizing and managing successful donor events in a non-profit or campaign development office.

Qualifications:

  • Excellent organizational, management, writing skills.
  • Knowledge of progressive major donor community.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently and also be a dependable team player.
  • Strong computer skills.
  • Preferred: experience working with donors in person, prospect research skills, and knowledge of fundraising software.

Additional Information

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize our progressive agenda: The Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress provides a very competitive compensation and benefits package.

American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org.

For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaaction.org.

To apply, simply e-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: jobs@americanprogress.org.

Or you may write to:
Center for American Progress
Attn: Human Resources Department
1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor – Development and Strategic Planning
Washington, DC 20005

In your correspondence, please reference the exact title of the job you are applying for in the subject line. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress.