Major Gifts Officer

Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has a passion for fundraising for an institution with an outstanding academic environment.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage and develop a prospect portfolio, developing strategies to secure both major gifts and planned gifts. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and partnering with the Development & Alumni Relations Team, the MGO will work to foster and sustain a robust culture of philanthropy at Latin.

The MGO will manage relationships and secure support from parent donors who are capable of making gifts of $25,000+ and alumni donors capable of making donations of $10,000+. This individual will manage a personal portfolio of 100 120 prospects, and will partner with the CDO to concept and implement a plan for major gift fundraising locally as well as across the country. In addition, this person will manage the School’s Senior Advisory Councila group of esteemed former Trustees and leaders. The MGO will track regular contact with donors and prospects through Latin’s development database and will be expected to achieve no less than 400 contacts per year with major donors and prospects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Articulate the case for support verbally and in writing so that individuals can authentically connect with and feel inspired by the vision, mission, and goals of Latin School of Chicago. The role is also responsible for preparing of formal written materials letters, proposals, briefing documents associated with major gift donor/funder relationships.
• Develop and propose strategies for solicitation of major and planned gifts, including: identifying candidates for major gifts based upon information housed in the development office database; determining steps for strengthening relationships with prospects/donors; recommending specific purpose and level of gift; and identifying leaders in the Latin community to be involved in cultivation and subsequent solicitation (and coordinating their efforts).
• Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) initiate contacts with potential major donors; (2) develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers; (3) move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) make solicitations when appropriate; (5) maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
• In partnership with the CDO, develop targets for new major and planned gifts.
• Manage the Latin Senior Advisory Council, which includes creating engagement opportunities, planning an annual working meeting with the Head of School, soliciting gifts from each member, and creating a thoughtful stewardship plan.
• Work collaboratively and in partnership with Chief Development Officer, Director of Philanthropic Strategy, and Director of Alumni Engagement to coordinate outreach efforts and support a seamless donor journey through various engagement touchpoints.
• Work in conjunction with the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Events to ensure an effective program for recognition, involvement and stewardship of major gift donors and attend all donor cultivation/stewardship events.
• Participate, as required, in development team efforts including solicitation strategy for key prospects and internal planning efforts.
• Record all major gift strategies and actions in the development office database.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6+ years’ experience of planned giving fundraising
• Relationship-oriented person that is able to build rapport at larger-scale events and with individual donors or families.
• Understanding of major gift fundraising, moves management, solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate with Development team leadership and members
• Good computer skills using donor management software like Blackbaud, Google Workspace, Word, PowerPoint, etc. 
• Local travel 5 days per month. Overnight travel may be required but is expected to be infrequent.

Latin School of Chicago embraces diversity of people, cultures, and ideas and is an equal opportunity employer.