Job Description

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) serves in a high impact position on the Advancement team crucial to the success of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s major gift fundraising and annual fund initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the MGO will build a robust portfolio by identifying donors of $10,000+ and cultivate relationships with prospective major and annual fund donors.   This includes conducting prospect research, developing effective solicitation strategies, and stewarding donors throughout the major giving process.   The MGO will collaborate with senior leadership to coordinate and execute fundraising initiatives and strategies to advance the Garden’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Build and serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects including research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, with written engagement and focused solicitation strategies for the core 75 constituents in the portfolio.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for the portfolio of prospects, communicating through

in-person interaction, solicitation, stewardship meetings and written strategies, ensuring healthy segments in all stages.

• Present the Garden’s mission and strategic goals by working independently and

creatively to match donor interests with Garden priorities.

• Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer and the Director of Advancement to develop solicitation strategies for donors/prospects in support of the Garden’s fund-raising goals.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff, finance and other Garden staff to ensure proper recording, allocation, documentation, acknowledgement, stewardship and analysis of major gifts and pledges.
• Actively engage in the greater Richmond community to identify new prospects and expand the Garden’s donor community.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to secure major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement long and short-range development initiatives in conjunction with strategic planning processes.
• Demonstrated ability to deploy fundraising metrics, track and analyze results, and resolve complex problems.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with leadership, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles.
• Knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives.
• Knowledge of, and adherence to, ethic and confidentiality requirements for development professionals, with discretion used in all interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers and others.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.
• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within diverse communities.
• Program planning and leadership skills.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Able to work varied hours outside the traditional work week, including weekends, evenings, holidays and special events including GardenFest.

Employees of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• Must comply with provisions of the current Employee handbook, all published personnel policies and the requirements of their individual job descriptions.
• Must perform all duties in a manner consistent with a public garden serving multigenerational and multicultural individuals, families, and in accordance with directed practices and procedures.
• Must be aware of surroundings and vigilant to threats to the safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff or to security of their property, ensuring that all concerns are reported promptly.
• Must report all injuries and incidents immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor(s) and to Human Resources.
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Ability to navigate the Garden’s campus in most weather conditions.
• Ability to work Advancement Office Special Events including lifting up to 20lbs and other physical labor.
• The position requires familiarity with all public areas of the 82-acre Garden property.
• Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

• • A minimum of four (4) years of documented professional experience in securing gifts of $10,000⁺.
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Planned giving experience is highly desired.
  • Working knowledge of fundraising databases; Tessitura  experience preferred.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@lewisginter.org.