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Development Officer for Major Gifts

The Development Officer for Major Gifts works closely with the Vice President, development staff, board, and volunteers to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors. This is an exciting opportunity for a full-time, detail-oriented, self-motivated fundraising professional who believes in the mission of Friends of Acadia.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manage major giving program – Approximately 70% of time

• Be responsible for raising funds for current operations, endowments, and capital projects with gifts greater than $10,000.
• Manage a portfolio of 100 major gift prospective donors, intentionally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding through personal visits, phone calls, written proposals, and other communications.
• Convene internal working groups to manage prospective donors to build deeper engagement with FOA and Acadia National Park.
• Work closely with the Development Operations Manager to record and monitor moves management strategies and actions using Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Compose fundraising proposals and write occasional fundraising copy, ads, and articles for social media, the FOA website, and Acadia–the magazine of Friends of Acadia.
• Build, cultivate, and strengthen FOA’s brand, reputation, and relationships throughout the community and within the National Park Service by being a trusted representative of FOA in public forums, partner meetings, and personal interactions of all kinds.
• Interact easily and well with donors and in collaboration with the Vice President of Development, President, and board members.

Manage year-round fundraising events – Approximately 25% of time

• Plan and manage events for fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship on MDI and in important areas around the country.
• Collaborate with and assist the Special Events Coordinator, manager of the Annual Benefit Auction.
• Work closely with the Development Operations Manager to record and track events registration and manage invitation lists for email and mail using Raiser’s Edge NXT and other software platforms.
• Collaborate with other departments, especially Communications for design and marketing needs.

Actively participate in Development Office organization – Approximately 5% of time

• Work with Vice President of Development and the development staff in setting and achieving fundraising goals and regular reporting of success.
• Participate in quarterly development committee meetings.
• Advise Vice President of Development and perform other duties as requested.

The above responsibilities will require excellent writing skills, an interest in traveling for FOA, the ability to work independently and efficiently, and strong organizational and interpersonal skills to manage diverse interests and personalities while also juggling multiple responsibilities. Past success in closing large gifts and working collaboratively with various groups is a prerequisite for this position, as are strong judgment skills, a good sense of humor, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced department.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience. Major Gift and capital campaign experience is preferred and familiarity with Microsoft 365 and Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
This Development Officer position is a salaried, year-round position with the need for occasional weekend and evening work. FOA offers a competitive compensation package, values workplace diversity, and does not discriminate in its hiring decision.

If you are interested in being considered for the Development Officer for Major Gifts position, please send a cover letter and resume, saved as a PDF, to employment@friendsofacadia.org and note Development Officer Search Committee in your subject line.
Resume and cover letter may also be mailed to:
Search Committee – Development Officer for Major Gifts
Friends of Acadia
PO Box 45
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Application Deadline: The development office is accepting applications until the position is filled and the vacancy may close without notice.

Friends of Acadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Friends of Acadia is an independent nonprofit organization, founded in 1986. Its mission is to preserve the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and cultural distinctiveness of Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities, and thereby to ensure high quality experiences for visitors and residents.