About the Role
The Media Research Center (MRC) is seeking an experienced, frontline fundraiser to manage and lead major donor operations. The region is loosely defined as the middle section of the country, though where the person is located is not confined to living there. MRC offers a competitive salary and robust benefits package, including significant bonus potential. This position uses Moves Management to foster and maintain relationships with donors and works strategically to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals capable of making five- and six-figure gifts.
Applicants can apply to this position though Big Fish Recruiting at: https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/bigfish/job/ed4j4mq8kwb1u8c61ziknioz3c/MRCMGO
*If applying for position, only cover letter and resume are required to upload.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Portfolio Management
- Play a lead role in building and strengthening a viable development program for the MRC in the MidWest states: identify and implement effective Moves Management strategies to increase the number of donors, move donors up the giving ladder, and increase engagement with MRC.
- Tailor services to ensure that donors’ philanthropy goals are met.
- Maintain a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects and donors that can make high five-to six-figure gifts — focusing activities and the overall portfolio on individuals and family foundations with a gift potential of $5,000 and greater.
- Raise a minimum of $1M in sustainable cash revenue, with a stretch goal to as much as $2.5M, by the three-year mark following initial activities undertaken to build the caseload.
- Develop and implement a strategic donor-centered plan to generate major gifts and pledges from high-level prospects and donors within an assigned region to meet/exceed revenue goals, focusing on annual giving, major gifts, and legacy giving. No advisor is restricted to only working within a region if prior network relationships lead you outside of the territory.
- Discuss planned giving options with donors and provide materials, where needed, to help facilitate the implementation of donors’ planned gifts, with the goal of identifying a minimum of two (2) commitments each year.
- Establish and implement stewardship strategies that achieve or exceed 75% portfolio retention year over year.
- Engage in planning and conducting at least one (1) special event per quarter within the assigned territory to cultivate relationships with existing donors and identify prospective donors.
- Maintain a thorough and accurate understanding of MRC programs to effectively match supporters to funding needs.
- Exhibit respect for and excellent service to donors through prompt and courteous written, digital, or oral communications.
- Significant travel is required.
- Manage a cost-effective fundraising budget and submit expenses in a timely fashion.
- Maintain complete and accurate donor contact records in Salesforce and other administrative tools.
Team Collaboration
- Develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with other members of the MRC team, including Development colleagues and program and administrative staff.
- Attend staff and one-on-one meetings (in person or via Zoom) to support achieving individual performance goals and ensure appropriate collaboration toward team goals.
- Remain aware of developments within the conservative movement and emerging trends in fundraising and major giving.
Required Experience & Education:
The successful DIR will be an entrepreneurial, results-oriented major gift fundraiser who is comfortable strategically designing and energetically implementing all phases of the philanthropic cycle. In addition, they will have a philosophical identification with the conservative movement, thrive on face-to-face meetings with prospects and donors, and possess the following background, experience, and skills:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Five-plus years of proven success in managing a major donor portfolio and securing five- and six-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals
- Experience building new relationships in a large region while maintaining deadlines and attaining goals, with a record of initiative and entrepreneurialism in these efforts
- Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multiple levels of contact as it relates to scheduling visits, developing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and stewarding relationships
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a genuine ability to listen to and identify the interest of donors
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- A demonstrated level of comfort balancing work in and out of the office, as significant travel throughout the territory is expected most months of the year
- Proficiency with a constituent relations management/fundraising database; use of Salesforce preferred
- Familiarity with philanthropy and various philosophical identifications within the conservative movement
*If applying for position, only cover letter and resume are required to upload.