Major Gifts Officer

The Organization  

Purpose and Mission 

Founded in 1999, CFUF strengthens urban communities by helping fathers and families achieve stability and economic success. As a pioneer in responsible fatherhood, family strengthening, and workforce development, CFUF’s programs seek to help clients fully exit poverty and sustain themselves and their families. CFUF serves Baltimore’s most marginalized populations living in high crime and high poverty communities. Our members (the term we use when referring to our clients) are 98% African American, 60% male, 89% unemployed, 50% ex-offenders and homeless, and 30% without high school diplomas. Over 90% face one or multiple temporary or chronic personal, logistical, or human barriers. 

All In is the Center for Urban Families’ comprehensive strategy to accelerate social and economic opportunity and advocate for policies that promote equity and racial justice. Leveraging 20 years of positive impact and applied learnings, the All In strategy targets two critical areas: chronic unemployment and family instability. The approach links individual accountability, person-centered case management, and supportive networks with workforce development training, education, and civic engagement. All In dismantles poverty and builds long-term social and economic prosperity that results in brighter futures for our members, their families, and the communities in which they live.

National impact: CFUF’s Practitioners Leadership Institute (PLI) provides technical assistance, and promotes and extends best practices in family strengthening, responsible fatherhood and workforce development to practitioners and key stakeholders across the country. CFUF is also nationally renowned for its public policy work in the responsible fatherhood arena. 

Culture and Practice 

CFUF is an organization committed to high excellence and quality service to all of its stakeholders. Our culture thrives from a transparent, reflective, and creative environment. We are a highly autonomous workforce, and our staff embraces humor, food, fun, and a passion to serve our members. We believe in recognizing and rewarding high performers. All of these qualities and attributes makes a premier employer of choice. 

Staffing and Governance  

CFUF is governed by a 19-member board of directors. The organization’s current budget is $7.5 million, with 62% allocated to program services. CFUF maintains a staff of 53, and our leadership team is comprised of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Development, Director of Finance & Administration, Director of People & Culture, Director of Research & Evaluation, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives, Director of Programs, Director of Family Strengthening & Community Engagement, and Director of Practitioners Leadership Institute.

Responsibilities include

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a major gift prospect pool of current and new donors from throughout the United States for major gifts.
•  Build and manage a portfolio of 100-150 prospects with the capacity to make major gifts.
• Plan and execute solicitation strategies leading to major gifts; contact donors to pursue these strategies and build enduring relationships, completing 125-150 virtual and in-person visits per year.
• Prepare proposals, solicitation letters, gift agreements and other development materials for prospects and donors that articulate CFUF’s needs, values, and goals.
• Communicate with major prospects and donors about specific ways to give, both current and deferred, to maximize gift and tax benefits.
• Build a strong network of collegial partnerships with development and departmental representatives in the organization.
• Seek and participate in opportunities to raise the profile of CFUF.
• Track and assess major gift fundraising metrics.
• Work collaboratively with members of the Major Gifts Committee to develop cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Work evenings and weekends when necessary.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least five years related experience required.
• One to two years of management or program implementation experience.
• Ability to work in an environment that places a strong emphasis on fundraising metrics.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to adhere to high ethical standards such as the Association of Fundraising Code of Ethical

Company Benefits:

The benefit package includes paid holidays, personal, vacation, and sick days, health insurance, long term disability, employee assistance program and retirement plan options.

Location:

This position is Hybrid; Candidates must be able to reliably commute to the Baltimore office at least one day a week.