Director of Major Gifts

Description

About Animal Friends

Animal Friends is a full-service community resource center focused on celebrating the significant role that pets play in our lives while solving big challenges in our community like pet homelessness, lack of access to affordable veterinary care, combating animal abuse and neglect, and supporting a greater understanding of animal behavior and health needs through progressive programming. 

Since our founding in 1943, Animal Friends has been at the forefront of progressive animal sheltering, continually tailoring our services to meet the ever-changing needs of pets and the people who love them in our community. It is our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in crisis, ensure healthy pets through education, advocacy and affordable services, and inspire a community where the animal-human bond is celebrated and nurtured. 

Our Vision:

A humane and compassionate future for every animal friend.

Our Mission:

To rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in crisis, ensure healthy pets through education, advocacy and affordable services, and inspire a community where the animal-human bond is celebrated and nurtured.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Major Gifts & Strategic Development will play a pivotal role in securing significant financial support for Animal Friends. This position will be responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors from individuals through the establishment of a strategic major and planned giving program. This will include all aspects of the major gift plan, including research and identification of prospects; cultivation and relationship management of the portfolio; proposal development and solicitation; and ongoing stewardship of donors. Reporting to President & CEO with strong working relationship with the Major Gifts Committee Chair, this newly created leadership position will play a crucial role in deepening our donor base and ensuring long-term financial sustainability for our growing lifesaving operations and community pet retention programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for major and planned giving programs.
• Collaborate with the CEO, development team, and Board of Directors to identify and pursue high-impact funding opportunities.
• Co-lead with the organization’s Major Gifts Committee, a standing committee of the Board of Directors.
• Lead portfolio analysis, prospect research, and donor stewardship strategies.

Major Gift Development 

• Manage a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects and current donors.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit individual major gift donors, and collaborate on major gifts from foundations, corporations and other community partnerships.
• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, including donor portfolios, cultivation plans, CRM management and solicitation strategies.
• Secure gifts of $10,000 and above through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with program staff to align donor opportunities with organizational needs.
• Develop and implement a robust donor stewardship program, including personalized communication, recognition events, and donor calls and visits.
• Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgement of gifts.
• Foster long-term and meaningful relationships.

Planned Giving Program Management 

• Enhance and manage Animal Friends’ comprehensive planned giving program.
• Ensure tracking of planned giving pipeline as well as timely acknowledgement of all gifts.
• Develop marketing materials and collaborate with donors and advisors on complex gifts.
• Partner with local financial planners and estate attorneys to promote Lifesaving Society and other planned giving programs.

Team Leadership & Collaboration 

• Collaborate with the organization’s team of fundraising professionals regarding annual giving, corporate partnerships, events, and community outreach.
• Partner with communications team members to enhance donor marketing and to ensure fundraising efforts align with overall mission, goals and on-going activities.
• Represent Animal Friends at high-level donor events and in the community.
• Prepare regular reports on fundraising and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and organizational policies.

Work Environment:

This full-time, salaried role is located at the Animal Friends campus in Ohio Township. Partial remote work is available after successful transition into role. Local travel for donor meetings is required, along with occasional evening and weekend donor events.

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and Short-Term Disability insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous PTO, paid holidays and birthday
• Discounts at veterinary clinic
• Waived animal adoption fees
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 
• Professional Development/CEU’s
• The satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in need.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in major gift fundraising.
• Have a proven track record of closing significant gifts of $5,000 and experience with planned giving vehicles.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Budget and plan development experience.
• Possess strong relationship-building skills and a passion for connecting donors with impactful causes.
• Proficiency in fundraising software and CRM systems.
• Valid, current driver’s license.
• Thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven environment.
• Passion for animal welfare and the mission of Animal Friends