Major Gifts Officer, West Coast

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 5 million children by constructing more than 1,400 schools, establishing over 11,000 libraries, publishing 550 new children’s book titles in 22 local languages, and putting over 10,000 girls onto long-term, holistic scholarships.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$38 million and our global staff numbers over 420. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi, a Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria, and program offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and we are setting up operations and hiring staff for a new office in Tanzania.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Major Gifts Officer to focus on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects throughout the western U.S. and Canada. This position is based in Room to Read’s global headquarters in San Francisco, CA with approximately 20% travel annually (mainly within the western U.S. and Canada).

The Major Gifts Officer is an integral part of our dynamic development team. S/he manages the Associate, Individuals & Family Foundations and reports directly to the Senior Development Director for North America, also located in San Francisco, CA.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects and donors in the western U.S. and Canada capable of making gifts at the $100,000+ level
• Build long-term relationships with donors and prospects, identifying, cultivating and stewarding their interests
• Using sound fundraising principles, develop long-term cultivation and stewardship strategies that utilize the expertise of key Room to Read staff and leadership in deepening donors’ commitment to the organization
• Provide staff support to Board Members and volunteers in fulfillment of their cultivation and solicitation assignments
• Serve as a representative for Room to Read to important internal and external constituents
• Collaborate with Room to Read’s volunteer Chapter Network to identify new major donors, as appropriate
• Other responsibilities as assigned
• Assist in planning and executing major donor cultivation and stewardship events
• Maintain accurate donor records and track contact in moves management system
• Manage and motivate staff members to achieve personal and professional goals
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelors degree
• Minimum of 5 years of major gift fundraising experience in a fast paced, growth oriented organization; candidates with applicable skills and experience from the private sector may be considered
• Demonstrated track record of identifying prospects and moving them through the cultivation and solicitation stages
• Proven ability to solicit and close gifts of $100,000 and above
• Prior experience managing and motivating staff
• History of dedicated volunteer activity and/or commitment to non-profit organizations
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office applications and Outlook
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work thoughtfully and collaboratively with diverse groups of people
• Highly organized, detail oriented and self-motivated
• Legally eligible to work in the United States; no sponsorship provided
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative
• Willingness to travel 20% of the time, primarily within the western U.S. and Canada
• Strong work ethic and sense of humor

Preferred:

• Experience working with databases, specifically Raiser's Edge
• Experience living or working internationally
• Track record of fundraising for international programs

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:

• Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker; you’re not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include health, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, commuter benefits, and a 401K match. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.

Application Procedure:

Please send a cover letter and resume by email, with ”Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to hiring@roomtoread.org. Due to high applicant volume we regret that we are not able to respond to all applicants personally. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing
the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.