Development Officer- Individual Major Gifts

Development Officer – Individual Major Gifts 

Position Overview  

As the Development Officer of Individual Major Gifts, you will develop, implement, and manage multi-year strategies and plans for the cultivation and solicitation of individual and family foundation major gift donors and prospects. As the Development Officer, you will lead qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of current and prospective donors capable of making major gifts of $100K+ in support of RMI programs in collaboration with RMI’s executive, program, and fundraising leadership. This includes working with program staff to develop the case for support, funding proposals, and other donor-facing materials. In this role you will leverage RMI’s network of committed volunteer leaders, donors, and partners in support of organizational funding priorities. You will be a key contributor to the development team and will be essential to the achievement of the organization’s fundraising goals.  In this role, you will report to the Sr. Development Officer – Individual Giving. 

We highly encourage individuals of underrepresented groups to apply!

RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Advance individual and organizational relationships that result in large philanthropic contributions for RMI through personal visits, email correspondence, and telephone conversations with prospects and donors.  
• Identify, qualify, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 100–150 existing and new individual prospects with capacity to make major and principal level gifts (from $100,000 to $1,000,000+), with a focus on the Western U.S. donor base. 
• Identify potential prospects, research, and build a pipeline of new individual donors for RMI. 
• Develop, facilitate, and coordinate strategic communication with current and prospective donors, developing positive relationships between RMI, the donors and related organizations and individuals. 
• Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend the most suitable approach for a particular donor at a particular point in time.  
• Develop and implement a wide array of donor engagement activities from virtual webinars to in-person events. 
• Conceive and implement stewardship plan for current donors that builds deep and committed relationship with RMI for continued and increased giving from donors. 
• Work with the program team to create compelling funding proposals, and stewardship reports. 
• Translate highly technical information into accessible written and verbal language that will compel donors to support key programs and projects.  
• Support the development team in preparing communications and materials, designing meeting content, and coordinating activities with program colleagues.  
• Prepare meeting briefings, strategic planning for meeting goals and roles, and prepare communications and materials, designing meeting content, and coordinate activities with program and finance colleagues.  
• Use Salesforce database to document moves management process and provide accurate relationship status and financial projections for portfolio.  
• Work collaboratively with the program team to gain a comprehensive understanding of RMI work and build strong working relationships with program leaders.  
• Represent RMI at events to expand the organization’s network and cultivate donors.  
• Serve as an active member of the development team; support the implementation of the development team’s short- and long-term objectives; engage with the development team by attending staff meetings, serving on special task forces, participating in development-program meetings, and understanding and contributing to RMI/CWR’s development strategy and overall mission.    

QUALIFICATIONS  

Minimum Education & Experience  

• Bachelor’s Degree  
• 5+ years work experience in non-profit development, with a track record of successful solicitation of philanthropic gifts $50K+ from individual donors. 
• Experience in cultivating and ultimately stewarding the development of a pipeline of new donors.  
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with constituents such as major donors and corporations. 
• Experience in asking for and closing six to seven figure gifts.  
• Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors. 
• Experience working successfully with top level Executives in a fast-paced environment.  
• Experience working in environment, climate or energy field strongly desired. 
• Planned giving experience desired but not required.  
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time  

General  

• Knowledge of RMI’s mission and objectives as well as the principles and practices of non-profit organizations.  
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with RMI staff, Board members, community groups and other associated agencies.  
• Able to navigate and understand a complicated funding environment with the flexibility to change course quickly with a positive attitude     

Location

This position will remain remote through the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the COVID-19 situation improves, it is expected that this role be located at our office in Oakland, CA, or remain remote from the Los Angeles, CA area. This will be discussed further throughout the interview process.

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This Executive Order requires that all federal contractors and subcontractors mandate and verify that all U.S. based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are based in the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status as a condition of employment. You may request an accommodation for medical or religious reasons. If you are based outside of the U.S., this requirement does not apply.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $79,000-93,000. This is dependent on experience that will be discussed and vetted throughout the interview process. This position has an additional 10% bonus target!

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 403b retirement options (5% match immediately)
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access)
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• Commuter and wellness benefits
• Casual work environment

Diversity

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we:

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.
• Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.

RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

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