Major Gifts Officer, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (LDAR) seeks a Major Gifts Officer to work side by side with our CEO and  development team in taking the organization’s fundraising to the next level.  With two locations dependent on fundraising for operational support and a capital campaign about to launch, Lucky Dog’s fundraising efforts have never been more important.  This is the ideal role for any fundraising professional who is passionate about saving lives and excited by the prospect of building upon an exceptional development base. 

About Lucky Dog Animal Rescue:

Founded in 2009, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (Lucky Dog) is one of the nation's largest foster-based animal rescues. Our mission is to save homeless and abandoned animals from euthanasia and to support and educate pet parents on responsible care to enable them to keep their pets and provide the best home possible.  Lucky Dog operates in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area and in South Carolina. In the DMV, Lucky Dog’s innovative foster-based model completes approximately 2,800 to 3,000 adoptions a year without a facility of their own.  In South Carolina, Lucky Dog’s best in class Rescue Campus houses a low cost vet clinic, infectious disease center, ringworm treatment center, and transfer kennels. The overwhelming majority of Lucky Dog’s adoptable animals come from economically distressed areas across the nation, 60% of which spent some time at the Rescue Campus and the rest of which arrive in the DMV directly from their source shelters.

Role Overview:

Lucky Dog is experiencing exciting growth both programmatically and with its donor base, leading us to hire our first Major Gift Officer.  The Major Gift Officer will play a key role in growing the major gift pipeline working with individuals and family foundations. This role involves managing a portfolio of 100-125 prospects, managing tailored cultivation, developing solicitation plans, securing funds, and building strong relationships to support Lucky Dog’s mission. The Major Gift officer will be able to effectively communicate our impact to high-net-worth individuals and stakeholders and secure significant contributions. We are seeking a strategic, results-driven professional with a track record of securing six-figure gifts and the ability to convey complex missions in a compelling manner.

The successful candidate will report directly to the CEO and should be a proactive, skilled communicator and relationship builder with a proven ability to deliver fundraising results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and cultivate new prospects to expand the donor base for Lucky Dog.
• Manage portfolios of 100-125 high-capacity prospects, aiming to increase engagement and secure major gifts ($50,000 ).
• Proactively solicit and close significant gifts from both existing and potential donors.
• Collaborate with leadership and Board to review and enhance the donor pipeline regularly.
• Conduct 8-10 in-person or virtual donor visits each month.
• Support major donors relationships by staffing donor meetings, managing communications, and preparing briefings.
• Contribute to targeted campaign initiatives and other fundraising activities.
• Work closely with program staff to maximize donor giving opportunities.
• Support the preparation and submission of grant applications, proposals, and stewardship documents.
• Develop close working relationships with staff and other stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Represent Lucky Dog professionally and effectively when interacting with major donors and stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and positive, with strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Proven success in managing donor portfolios and exceeding fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated experience in securing and stewarding gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Confident in engaging with high-net-worth individuals and adhering to ethical standards.
• Discreet and diplomatic, with sound judgment and confidentiality.
• Enthusiastic, creative, and adaptable with a collaborative approach.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities.
• Knowledge of philanthropic landscapes in the DMV area

Travel:

• Some US travel is required, with the majority of donors located in the DMV area.

Experience & Education:

• 3-5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a focus on major gifts and private foundations / grant writing.
• Familiarity with CRM systems such as Microsoft Dynamics, Raiser’s Edge, or Salesforce.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.

Responsibilities may be added or changed as the organization continues to grow.