Major Gifts Officer (Part-time, 25 hours)

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. By the time Alex passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a worldwide fundraising movement and the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S. ALSF is a leader in funding pediatric research projects across the globe and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

The Major Gifts Officer is an integral member of the Foundation’s development team. Our ideal candidate will have at least five to seven years of major gift/planned giving experience with nonprofits. The major gifts officer’s efforts are focused on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention of individual donors who seek to accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions thru a relationship with ALSF. This position reports directly to and works closely with the Co-Executive Director of the Foundation. This is primarily an externally facing individual contributor role and is critical to the success of our major giving program.

ALSF is headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, PA, just outside Philadelphia. This role is hybrid, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Key functions and responsibilities:

• Work closely with and facilitate weekly major gifts meetings with the Co-Executive Director to grow ALSF’s major giving program. 
• Manage a portfolio of donors/prospects, conduct outreach, and schedule meetings with donors via phone, web or face-to-face to further cultivate relationships. 
• Create and implement moves management plans to meet measurable goals; including but not limited to developing and executing a full range of donor cultivation activities, providing reports and statements, and overseeing and executing major gift donor recognition and stewardship. 
• Is a passionate and informed advocate for ALSF and serves as a spokesperson of ALSF to donors; develop proposals, prepare presentations, and make direct solicitations as a critical component of the Foundation’s fundraising growth. 
• Work with the development team to strategize, cultivate, and recognize major gift donors and promote interaction with major gift prospects. 
• Write correspondence, reports, proposals, and marketing materials; enter data in the donor database and maintain accurate electronic and hard copy files of major gift donors and prospects. 
• Ensure that all major gift activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing non-profit business operations. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education/Fundraising:

• 5 or more years of major gifts experience. 
• Thorough knowledge and background in fundraising best practices. 
• Previous success and a proven track record in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing 6 and 7-figure gifts from individual donors. 
• Skill in successfully predicting donor enthusiasm and willingness to commit to major giving. 
• Skill in identifying and interacting with prospective donors, cultivating current donors, and coordinating activities with colleague fundraisers. 
• Knowledge of legal recordkeeping requirements for fundraising and documentation of donations. 

Interpersonal/Communications:

• Energetic, enthusiastic, rapport-building people-person with skills in building and sustaining relationships. 
• A persuasive negotiator able to achieve results. 
• Effectively communicate with donors about research areas, projects, general state of pediatric cancer research and the needs of families. 
• Intellectual depth, maturity, judgement, and professionalism to earn the trust and confidence of donors, leadership, and co-workers. 
• Ability to persuasively promote the Foundation’s impact on advancing cures and supporting families whose children have cancer. 
• Ability to work independently and on a team, and successfully meet goals and objectives. 
• Excellent writer and presenter, with the ability to inspire commitment and action in others. 
• Enthusiastic and informed networker who enjoys sharing the work of ALSF with the world! 
• Demonstrates genuine caring for children with cancer and is motivated to help them and their families.

Organizational:

• Business and financial acumen. 
• Skill in using Microsoft Office and have database experience. 
• Self-motivated, well organized and detail oriented. 
• Must possess initiative, leadership, creative energy, well-refined organizational skills, ability to take risks, resilience, negotiating skills and proven fundraising expertise. 
• Highest sensitivity and judgement in regards to the needs of families of seriously ill children. 
• Ability to relate at all levels across the organization. 
• Organizational skills involving administrative processes and in working with colleagues and support staff. 
• Ability to work as an integral part of a team and a sincere appreciation for people and how they are each uniquely motivated. 
• Poised and engaging, empathetic communications style based on natural warmth and enthusiasm. 
• Fast-paced and results oriented with the ability to work in a timely manner with multiple deadlines and competing requirements. 
• Strong written, presentation, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to relate well to individuals from diverse backgrounds. 
• Demonstration of good judgement, professionalism, and the highest standards of ethical conduct. 
• Travel may be required.