Raleigh, North Carolina
Posted: 30-Aug-24
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Type: Full Time
Salary: $82,000 - $108,000
Categories:
Preferred Education:
The Cleveland Orchestra (TCO) is seeking a Senior Major Gift & Planned Giving Officer who will engage prospects, donors, and other members of the community in philanthropic support of The Cleveland Orchestra. They actively manage a donor portfolio, qualify new donors, make discovery calls, and build a pool of new planned giving prospects and donors at the leadership level.
The Senior MG/PG Officer initiates gift strategies and cultivates and solicits prospects through personal visits, direct mail, written and phone communication. They work closely with colleagues to implement strategic approaches for the Planned Giving program and build a robust pipeline for major gift support for the We Believe Campaign. In addition, this position is the staff liaison to the Planned Giving Advisory Council and is responsible for managing and engaging volunteers for the purposes of fundraising.
Responsibilities include the following:
Portfolio Management
- Manage a personal portfolio approximately 85-100 donors.
- Articulate the value of supporting the goals and mission of the institution, as well as priority programs like the annual fund and planned giving. Work closely with department leadership to execute stewardship efforts, engagement activities, and special fundraising initiatives as requested.
- Work closely with major giving officers and the Donor Services Team to ensure management of donors who have potential to make major gifts, as well as collaboration around the identification of major gift prospects.
- Develop and implement strategies to solicit leadership donors, subscribers, and community through personal visits, email, direct mail and telephone contact.
- Through work with portfolio donors, support the vision and funding of Annual Fund, Campaign, Planned Giving, and Programmatic initiatives of the organization and work to secure 5- to 7-figure gifts.
Planned Giving Program Management
- Together with department leadership, design and manage the plan for solicitation of We Believe Campaign planned giving prospects.
- Design annual Planned Giving/Heritage Society calendar to guide department efforts.
- Oversee processing all incoming bequests with the support of Campaign Manager.
- Collaborate with Campaign Manager to maintain accuracy and cleanliness of the Net Present Value Tracker.
- Manage relationship with Planned Giving marketing firm with the support of department communications colleagues.
- Serve as a resource for colleagues by offering professional advice, drafting gift agreements, and creating gift illustrations.
- Cultivate an active planned giving prospect portfolio of no less than 40 patrons with MGOs across the department
- Initiate communications strategies to build and maintain legacy pipeline
- Manage the Planned Giving Advisory Council and its meetings and activities, including but not limited to advocacy activities, recruitment of new members, and peer solicitations.
Administrative
- Maintain data integrity of portfolio, including entering and updating prospect and donor contact reports, plan screens and proposals in the Tessitura database according to established protocols.
- Work with Development Operations to review and update accurate listings and recognition of personal portfolio Leadership donors for various publications including magazines, website, and program books.
- Respond to inquiries and donor communications as part of the Major Gifts and Campaign Teams.
- Attend concerts and events locally, and when appropriate, nationally, and internationally, in support of cultivation / fundraising activities.
The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field of study required
- Background in legal or tax fields highly desirable
- Seven to ten years of experience in non-profit fundraising in a complex institution
- Strong knowledge and application of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies and techniques required
- Strong knowledge of planned giving vehicles such as bequest intentions, life income plans, retirement plan gifts, donor-advised funds, gifts of real estate and other appreciated assets, as well as more complex gifts like charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated independent, mature judgment
- Ability to be discreet and maintain a high degree of confidentiality
- Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to consistently maintain a professional image and demeanor
- Strong problem-solving skills combined with a collaborative approach
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and able to learn/use various database and planning software
- Must be able to travel between locations (Severance Music Center and Blossom Music Center) and on occasion, nationally or internationally, and be able to travel to local or regional meetings
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends
- Knowledge of the Cleveland social and philanthropic environment
- Interest in classical music
We offer a competitive salary, outstanding medical and dental plan benefits, 403(b) plan with employer match, generous paid time off, and the opportunity to work with a world-renowned Orchestra.
The Cleveland Orchestra is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that strongly supports and values diversity and fosters an equitable and inclusive work environment which includes accommodation. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome, and individuals from all equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.