Major Gifts Associate

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking an experienced associate to join our team to increase philanthropic support through major giving. The ideal candidate will help secure support from individual donors to improve the future for trees, advance leading scientific and conservation research, support educational programming for adults and children, and preserve our plant collections across 1,700 acres. You’ll be part of an incredible and collaborative Development team.   

Position Summary: Manage an externally focused portfolio of approximately 150 major and planned giving donors and prospects to generate new planned gift expectancies and secure restricted and unrestricted major gifts. Serve as an advocate for a culture of philanthropy that supports the best interests of the organization as well as the donors.

Essential Functions: 

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 planned giving and major giving prospects with gift potential in the $50,000+ giving capacity including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 

• Work with the Senior Director of Principal and Major Gifts to set major and planned giving fundraising goals for individual donors in personal portfolio, and develop and implement strategy in support of overall giving goals for the Arboretum fundraising program.

• Actively engage the President, Vice President of Development, trustees, senior leadership, colleagues, and other high-level donors/volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.

• In partnership with development colleagues, support a comprehensive giving program that best matches donor capacity and interest with appropriate giving channels and engagement opportunities through major giving and planned giving. 

• Working across the organization, identify fundable programs and initiatives to create opportunities for individual prospects. 

• Work in close collaboration with prospect research staff and other development colleagues to identify, qualify, and cultivate high-potential prospects in support of the organization’s strategic priorities and campaign goals. 

• Consistently track details of donor relationships in the Salesforce database, including all activity and proposals.

• Other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required. 3+ years of professional fundraising experience in a major gifts environment or direct experience in relationship building and cultivating donors or clients required. Understanding of planned giving vehicles preferred. Ability to successfully motivate, engage and interact with senior leadership, trustees, high-level donors, and volunteers required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and experience with Google applications is beneficial. Preferred experience using constituent relationship management software or similar database program. Must possess a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. 

Success Factors: Motivation to achieve ambitious activity and fundraising goals in support of the Arboretum’s mission. Ability to discern and respond to donor interests to meet both donor and institutional goals. Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with Arboretum senior staff, trustees, colleagues and volunteers. Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. Comfortable working with individuals from all stations of life. A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Arboretum’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 10 lbs.), and occasional travel around the Arboretum campus and locally.

• Work Environment: Fast-paced office environment. Work is primarily indoors.

• Equipment: General office equipment, Arboretum golf cart, and minivan.

• Schedule: Position requires occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

The expected hiring range for this exempt position is annualized at $66,000 - $77,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please include resume and cover letter with application.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.