Major Gifts Officer (Development Manager)
CSF seeks an energetic, organized, and mission-driven Major Gifts Officer (Development Manager) to lead and expand our fundraising efforts, with a focus on securing unrestricted funds from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations. This position is ideal for a strategic thinker with excellent communication skills, a proactive approach, and the ability to hold themselves, the Executive Director, and the Board accountable to ambitious fundraising goals.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising and Donor Cultivation
- Design and implement a multi-year development strategy to grow unrestricted funding, with a target of raising over $500,000 annually within five years.
- Identify, research, and cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations capable of making significant financial contributions.
- Create compelling donor proposals, reports, and tailored solicitation materials.
Strategic Leadership and Accountability
- Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior leadership and Board Members to meet organizational fundraising goals.
- Partner with the Board of Directors to enhance their engagement in fundraising activities and track their progress against commitments.
- Develop systems to monitor and report fundraising progress, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Partnership and Event Management
- Represent CSF in meetings, conferences, and donor events to strengthen relationships and build strategic partnerships.
- Plan and execute donor cultivation events, both virtual and in-person, to support fundraising goals.
Operational Support
- Ensure donor records and fundraising operations are well-organized and maintained using appropriate software tools.
- Work with the Executive Director to ensure seamless coordination between fundraising activities and program priorities.
Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in fundraising or development, with a strong focus on securing major gifts.
- Proven ability to design and execute successful fundraising strategies.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with comfort engaging high-net-worth individuals and Board members.
- Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in a donor database software (e.g., Salesforce, EveryAction, etc.).
Preferred Attributes
- Familiarity with donor cultivation practices in the conservation or environmental field.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to innovate and experiment.
- Experience in event management and working within the conservation or non-profit sector.
This is a full-time position based in our Washington, D.C. office in Dupont, with a minimum of 2-3 days expected in the office per week. This position reports to the Executive Director. The salary available for this position is between $80,000 and $90,000 plus benefits. CSF does not sponsor work visas.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application as soon as possible. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The following should be sent to [email protected]:
- CV or resume
- Cover letter that include a summary of your fundraising experience and how you would apply this to the position’s goals, and your interest in and/ or experience working in conservation
- Link to your LinkedIn profile
Please include "Major Gifts Officer/ Development Manager" in the subject line of the email.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. CSF prohibits any kind of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, age, military status or any other situation that may be considered an act of discrimination based on applicable laws.
About CSF
Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) is an international non-profit organization that uses economics to support environmental conservation and sustainable development. We conduct rigorous economic analyses of infrastructure, protected areas, conservation incentive programs, and related issues, deliver a world-class capacity building program, and work closely with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support well-informed decision making.
Today, CSF has dedicated teams in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, and the United States, and is headquartered in Washington, DC. Our training programs have reached more than 5,000 people from 131 countries with 75 fellows across Latin America, Indonesia, and the Pacific. For more information, visit our website at www.conservation-strategy.org.