Summary

The Director of Major Gifts is a full-time position within the Department of Advancement at Volunteers of America Colorado Branch. Supervised by the Vice President of Advancement, the Director is responsible for developing and managing all philanthropic processes and activities related to the donor cultivation and solicitation of major gifts.

Description

WHO WE ARE

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradoans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

WHY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serve—our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. Volunteers of America recognizes the senior who needs assistance with her grocery shopping in Fort Collins, and the student in Aurora who has never been to summer camp. We support Denver’s homeless veterans who have been underserved, and prepare preschoolers challenged by poverty to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Wherever we go we engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers to lift-up and support Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens.

**The Director of Major Gifts is a full-time position within the Department of Advancement at Volunteers of America Colorado Branch. Supervised by the Vice President of Advancement, the Director is responsible for developing and managing all philanthropic processes and activities related to the donor cultivation and solicitation of major gifts. This position is responsible to manage a determined portfolio of 150+ donors, research and discover prospective donors, conduct face-to-face visits, develop donor centric giving proposals, presentations, and prescribed activities related to the cultivating, tracking and soliciting of annual donors toward individual donations of $10,000+ or more. The Director fosters a collaborative approach in matching the mission and goals of Volunteers of Colorado Branch with the interests and passions of donors to advance successful major gift philanthropic partnerships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Relationship Management and Fundraising (75%)

Manage a portfolio of top major gift prospects ($10,000+), and design and implement appropriate cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities for each with an emphasis on face-to-face visits and tours of VOA programs sites.
Prepare a comprehensive annual fundraising plan that includes strategies, goals, and a budget for major gift activities.
Arrange for major gift prospects to meet with the appropriate VOA Colorado leadership, programs and services leaders, and Board members.
Monitor major gift solicitation pipeline activity to achieve annual commitment goals, providing monthly and quarterly reports to Vice President of Advancement.
Track and report moves-management activity using VOA Colorado’s CRM system (Salesforce).
Stewardship and Donor Relations (15%)

Develop and execute strategic cultivation and stewardship events as appropriate, including oversight of the VOA Legacy Society program.
Manage all major giving stewardship related initiatives, including donor recognition/naming opportunities, and annual fundraising impact reports for donors.
Develop major giving materials, including briefing memos, proposals, and fundraising collateral, often in collaboration with Marketing team.
Events (10%)

Utilize and leverage VOA Colorado fundraising events for major donor cultivation and engagement, including strategic follow-up efforts and outreach with event attendees and sponsors.
Solicit corporate sponsorships and underwriting as needed in support of VOA Colorado fundraising events.
Competencies

Relationship Management

Fundraising

Written and Verbal Communications

Supervisory Responsibilities: Position does not currently supervise staff.

Minimum Qualifications of Position

Bachelor’s degree.
5-7 years of experience in a fundraising position.
Demonstrated ability to meet financial goals in a major gift position.
Strong writing, editing, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications of Position

Ability to respond with urgency to the needs and requests of others (both internal and external), ensuring a high degree of responsiveness to all donors without regard to their giving level.
Willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.
Demonstrated ability to: manage numerous complex tasks simultaneously; anticipate and meet deadlines; use time effectively; problem-solve independently in a small staff atmosphere; and function in an often stressful and quick turn-around environment.
Goal-oriented, self-motivated, reliable, detail-oriented, articulate and poised.
Personal integrity, sound judgment and a sense of humor.
Willingness to work nights and weekends as situations warrant, including donor meetings, events, etc.
Deep and abiding commitment to a high level of donor constituent satisfaction.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Must possess a Colorado’s driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.
Travel required.
Demonstrated proficiency with widely used business management software programs (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as donor database programs); Salesforce experience preferred.
Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrates compassion for helping those that are the most vulnerable in our community. Demonstrates knowledge of or a strong willingness to learn about poverty, human service government programs, Volunteers of America Colorado’s solutions and services, homelessness, aging, veterans, at-risk youth, and helping those most vulnerable in our society.

Models core culture attributes of VOA Colorado that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service). Also, models and pursues with vigor VOA Colorado’s three strategic critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Bending, Climbing, Stooping, Kneeling, Reaching, Crouching, Squatting, Lifting (30 to 50 pounds), Balancing, Standing, Sitting, Hand/Foot motions, Walking, Seeing (Close and distant vision, Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Assess, Estimate), Depth Perception, Hearing/Listening, Speaking/Shouting (Communicate, Discern, Convey, Express, Exchange), ?Use of Hands/Fingers (Grasping, Holding, Touching), Thinking, Calculating, Memory/Recall, Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Full time, 40 hours a week plus occasional evenings and weekends.

Salary Range: $95,000-$110,000/annually

Location: Administration Office at 2660 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205

BENEFITS
Benefit eligibility is based on job type/status:

Vacation Time

Separate Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays

Personal Days

Volunteer/Wellness Day

Tuition Assistance