Job Title: Director of Major Giving
Department: Development
Classification: Full time, salary, exempt
Salary: $88,000-$93,000 Annually
Job Relationship: Reports to VP of Philanthropy and Communications. Works closely with the CEO,
Annual Fund & Database Manager, Development Associates, APL board, other Development staff, and assigned volunteers. Supervises Donor Relations Officer.
Position Summary: Creates a formal, strategic, evolving Major Gift Program and oversees donor
cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for the APL. Identifies new donors and grows
the base for annual fund and other specific projects. Oversees a portfolio of donors and identifies gift opportunities and prospective donors. Oversees activities of Donor Relations Officer and supports the VP of Philanthropy and
Communications, CEO, and board members involved in direct solicitation of major gifts and community
outreach.
Essential Job Functions:
Oversees all aspects of the Cleveland APL’s major giving initiatives.
- Formalizes and oversees the qualification, stewardship, solicitation, and recognition program
for major gifts to the APL ($10,000 and up).
- Develops, oversees, participates in, and guides others in all aspects of the major gift cycle;
makes initial contact with potential major donors; develops appropriate cultivation strategies for
them, including working with staff, board members, and volunteers; moves potential donors in an
appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; makes solicitations; maintains
stewardship contacts with donors; and accurately tracks actions in donor database.
- Oversees tracking of actions, donor classifications, and relevant reports in donor data base
(Raiser’s Edge).
- Prepares and presents well-conceived proposals and reports that are responsive to donor
interests and aligned with the APL’s priorities and oversees preparation of solicitation collateral.
- Articulates Case for Support so that donors understand the mission/goals of the organization and its specific programs.
- Participates in regular solicitation/stewardship meetings with appropriate staff members.
- Coordinates effective program for recognition of annual fund, estate, and special purpose donors.
- Evaluates various gift opportunities and options, including planned gifts.
- Coordinates with VP of Philanthropy and Communications to present planned gifts to prospects for consideration.
- Meets donor activity and revenue goals and provides timely, accurate, and relevant performance reports to the VP of Philanthropy and Communications and CEO.
- Maintains meticulous and timely records in Raiser’s Edge on donor and prospecting activity.
- Ensures donor electronic records are properly stored within the APL’s database.
Supervises major gifts officer(s) and other team members.
- Provides direct supervision to members of the major gifts team, including reviewing work
performance, motivating direct reports, identifying problems with performance and solutions to
those problems, determining training needs to improve performance, initiating measures to correct
misconduct per APL policy, carrying out approved disciplinary actions, preparing and presenting
performance appraisals.
- Utilizes performance-based management when counseling and evaluating staff.
- Provides orientation and training to employees and volunteers and ensures compliance with APL
and department policies and procedures.
- Develops measurable annual goals for direct reports and assures staff and volunteers are trained
and coached to a level necessary to achieve the department’s and the APL’s goals and mission.
- Provides guidance, mentoring, and support to staff in setting priorities and meeting goals.
- Identifies volunteer opportunities, assists with recruiting, assigning and supervising
volunteers in the performance of their respective responsibilities within the department.
- In conjunction with human resources, interviews and hires new staff members.
Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to:
- Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment for staff and living environment
for animals. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules
that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
- Promotes communication and cooperation between APL departments.
- Promotes integration and utilization of volunteers whenever possible.
- Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management (or related field such as communications, public
relations, marketing, or business) or comparable work experience with demonstrated success.
- At least 5 years of experience in fundraising with a specific emphasis on management of a major
gift program, individual fundraising, and experience closing gifts of at least $25,000.
- Demonstrated ability to manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects,
including a donor database and wealth screening tools.
- Ability to use a PC and widely used software packages, e.g., spreadsheets (Excel), word
processing (MS Word); Raisers Edge (donor/fundraising software); CRM databases; ability to learn
new software as necessary.
- Ability to communicate with a diverse group of staff, board members, donors, and partners.
- Ability to work with wide diversity of individuals, including high-level corporate executives and high wealth constituents. .
- Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must possess a valid Ohio Driver’s License and insurable driving record.
Knowledge and Skills
- Must be a goal-oriented, strongly driven individual with experience successfully securing
support from a portfolio of individual donors.
- Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a variety of people.
- Excellent interpersonal communication, public speaking, and customer service skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines; ability to set and accomplish work in order of priority;
professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.
- Must be an astute listener with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Able to work a flexible schedule with regular weekend and evening activities.
- Committed to maintaining the Cleveland Animal Protective League’s high standard of animal care, and customer care.
- Committed to our mission to foster compassion and end animal suffering.
- Fear Free Certified or must become certified within six months of hire.
- Supports the APL’s desire to celebrate a diverse and inclusive culture that fuels the compassion that connects us to one another.
Working Conditions
Work is performed constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure
to animals, including some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels,
zoonotic diseases, and cleaning agents. The person in this position needs to be able to sit and
stand for long periods of time, constantly operate a computer, telephone, and other office
equipment (i.e., calculator, copier, fax machine, and printer). Occasionally positions self to
handle animals of all sizes in a variety of areas and positions (low cages, high cages, on tables,
on the floor, in vehicles, etc.). Occasionally positions self to perform shelter and animal
cleaning functions. Constantly communicate with visitors, staff members and volunteers who have
inquiries about all aspects of the APL’s operations and must be able to exchange accurate
information in these situations. Must be able to detect and recognize animal behavior that is
potentially dangerous. Must be able to modify schedule to meet the APL’s operational needs.
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be
performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other
job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment
contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.
Our Core Values
Compassion - We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth
and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness to support the human-animal bond.
Advocacy - We are a voice for animals, dedicated to lifesaving solutions that advance their quality
of life, and promote their place in society.
Leadership – We act with integrity, creativity, duty to community, and have the courage to change.
These are the driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organization.
Innovation – We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by
developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare
community.
Community – We continually strive to be a diverse and inclusive team and believe we must all work
together to best fulfill our vision.
