Individual Gifts Officer

The Mississippi River is one of the world's great rivers, a natural resource of global significance. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is a leading nonprofit that protects, restores and enhances the Mississippi River and its watershed primarily in the Twin Cities region. The organization has become a national model for conservation and watershed protection. Our goals are to: improve water quality; conserve important lands; engage people in learning about and taking action to protect and enhance the river; inspire widespread commitment to this natural wonder flowing through our community; and protect our river's unique scenic, natural, cultural and recreational qualities.
 
The organization has an annual budget of $4.3 million and employs a dedicated, professional staff of 26 who work to improve the health of the river through policy advocacy, education and engagement, land conservation and restoration and other disciplines. Over 30 years, FMR has established deep relationships and credibility with thousands of local residents, landowners, neighborhood organizations, volunteers, government agencies and elected officials.

With a well-known and respected brand, a seasoned and effective staff, a strong Board of Directors and an ever-growing base of support, FMR is poised for continued growth and success. The workplace culture at FMR is collaborative and fun, and staff share a common love of the river and dedication to the mission of the organization.

Our office is located in St. Paul's West Side community, in a historic building across the street from Harriet Island and the river. We enjoy a pet-friendly workplace and a hybrid working arrangement (Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the office; Monday, Thursday and Friday anywhere you choose). 
 
FMR believes the Mississippi River connects us all, and that social and environmental issues are woven together. Its gifts should flow equally to everyone in our community. We strive to be culturally competent, welcoming and inclusive of all people. We are committed to using our resources and influence to redress structural inequality where it intersects with the health and vitality of the Mississippi River.

The Position

The Individual Gifts Officer joins a development team of three who work closely together to cultivate connections between donors and the river that inspire philanthropy. The team currently consists of the Development Director, Member Relations Manager and another Individual Gifts Officer. The new Individual Gifts Officer will share the responsibility of managing and growing FMR's portfolio of leadership donors (those who give $500+ annually) with the current Individual Gifts Officer.

The Individual Gifts Officer will report to the Development Director and work closely with the Executive Director, who also plays an active role in leadership donor relationship building. The primary responsibilities of the Individual Gifts Officer are to identify, cultivate and solicit prospective leadership donors and steward and solicit current leadership donors. 

The position is right for an experienced development professional with a passion for protecting and restoring the natural environment — a person who wants to use their experience and energy to grow FMR's impact. The ideal candidate will have outstanding interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, a collaborative mindset and an ability to work with and deepen relationships with a broad range of donors. They will be goal-oriented and think and act strategically to meet individual, departmental and organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Active participation in FMR's development team, including collaboratively shaping fundraising priorities and strategies
• Manage and grow a portfolio of leadership donors, including: 
  • Identifying prospects
  • Defining goals and cultivation strategies for each individual or family
  • Cultivating and soliciting leadership gifts
  • Stewarding and soliciting current leadership donors to grow their giving
  • Maintaining detailed profiles of current and potential leadership donors
• Engage the board of directors and development committee in advancing FMR's fundraising efforts
• Collaborate with program and communications staff to strategically present program information to donors
• Collaboratively manage and grow FMR's planned giving program
• Help to manage special fundraising campaigns 
• Manage the processing, acknowledgment and tracking of leadership gifts and pledges 
• Collaboratively create and monitor budgets for the leadership donor program 
• Participate in the planning and implementation of fundraising events
• Generate reports for tracking and forecasting 

Qualifications

• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Friends of the Mississippi River
• A three to five-year successful track record working with and obtaining contributions from leadership donors
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships, design solicitation materials and strategies, secure leadership gifts and steward donors with a genuine spirit of gratitude
• Proficiency in database management, Microsoft Office suite, and other computer skills as required
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines 
• Self-motivation and initiative, as well as an ability and eagerness to work as part of a team
• Knowledge of current trends in fundraising and philanthropy and a commitment to fundraising ethics 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasionally long hours, some evenings and occasional weekends
• Ability to travel throughout the metro area

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time position. The salary range is $70,000 - $74,000, commensurate with experience (benchmarked against the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Salary & Benefits Survey). Benefits include health, dental and short-term disability insurance; a retirement plan with employer match; and generous paid vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave.