Major Gifts Officer

SEEKING:

Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) seeks a full time Major Gift Officer to head their fundraising program for the theatre. The successful candidate for this new position will have experience in various aspects of development including major and planned gifts, annual fund, donor relations, corporate and foundation giving and special events. We expect candidates to be prepared to make phone calls, initiate contact with new and potential donors, as well as run planned fundraising campaigns. Knowledge of the Coachella Valley philanthropic community is a plus but not required for this position.

Major and Planned Gifts Development:

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects by building on existing relationships and forming new donor relationships on an ongoing basis.
• Identify and steward prospective new donors. Create lists for new donor prospects and make phone calls to such perspective donors. Cultivate the board and committees, soliciting them for annual support as well as special giving opportunities.
• Partner with the Executive Artistic Director (EAD) on donor calls and work to schedule meetings to solicit gifts and engage prospects in the life of the theatre. Work with the EAD to solicit annual support for season sponsorships from individuals, foundations and corporations. This includes cultivating existing sponsors as well as the identification of new sponsors. Establish a planned giving program for the theatre and utilize these efforts as part of the opportunities available to support CVRep. This includes the development of marketing materials for print, web and electronic communications.
• Conduct research on potential prospects to identify their interest in theatre and their capacity to give.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to include the development of case(s) for support for specific needs of the theatre and to use as a cultivation and marketing tool with potential donors.

Annual Giving

• Design an ongoing annual giving program to provide an ongoing source of unrestricted gifts for the theatre.
• Plan and execute regular mail and electronic solicitations and utilized special opportunities to solicit prospects.
• Analyzing donor behavior, campaign performance, and other fundraising metrics. Seek funds through targeted special events to support the organization and its programming.

  Corporations and Foundations

  Work with the grant writer to assist and prepare grant proposals to support special initiatives of CVRep as well as ongoing needs of the theatre. Develop a portfolio of corporate and foundation funders by researching and identifying those whose mission fits within the scope and needs of CVRep.

  Major Gift Officer experience requirements

  Seeking candidates who have experience working in a non-profit business setting and leadership position. Have several years of experience in the same or similar position. Have the ability to manage multiple projects at once and are familiar with managing budgets or fundraising in other capacities.

  Major Gifts Officer education and training requirements

  Seeking candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, economics, or a related field. Those with a master’s degree or other certification relevant to the industry are preferable. Candidates with additional Project Management Professional (PMP) certification are an asset.

  PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

  Although each position has its own unique duties and responsibilities, the following listing applies to every employee of CVRep. All employees of the organization:

  •Will exercise necessary cost control measures.

  •Will strive to maintain positive internal and external patron service relationships.

  •Must demonstrate effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively and asking questions when clarification is needed.

  •Must be able to be depended upon to plan and organize work effectively and ensure its completion.

  •Must be able to demonstrate reliability by arriving to work on time and taking breaks in expected time frames.

  •Will be expected to meet all productivity requirements.

  •Must be able to demonstrate team behavior and must be willing to promote a team-oriented environment.

  •Is expected to always represent the organization professionally.

  •Must be able to demonstrate initiative, strive to continually improve processes and relationships.

  ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

  Reports to: Executive Artistic Director & Managing Director

  Supervises: Grant Writing and Administrative Assistant