Leadership and Planned Gift Officer

Status: Full - Time, Exempt, with flexibility for part-time for the right candidate

Location: Philadelphia or remote on the East Coast

Application Deadline: We are committed to reviewing all applications that are submitted by March 8, 2024 and our goal is to conduct initial interviews by the end of March.

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

Come join us as we challenge injustice and build peace around the world. Since 1917, AFSC has been on the forefront of important social movements. Today we are seeking an energetic, creative, and ambitious new colleague to join our collaborative major gifts team. We are working with a robust community of devoted supporters to increase funding through the Moment of Truth campaign. No one applicant will be perfect for this job and we would love to hear what makes you a strong candidate. We are committed to reviewing all applications that are submitted by March 8, 2024 and our goal is to conduct initial interviews by the end of March.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The Leadership and Planned Gift Officer (LPO) focuses on the cultivation and solicitation of individuals who have the greatest potential for supporting AFSC’s programs.  The LPO relates to donors in a defined geographic territory who require the most deftly carried out cultivation leading to solicitation of major outright and planned gifts, including gift annuities and bequest intentions. In addition to a core focus on major gifts, the LPO may collaborate with advancement and program colleagues on special projects related to individual giving, such as events and grassroots fundraising, to assist in identifying new donors and stewarding/retaining donors at all levels. The LPO works closely with the Director of Leadership Gifts to coordinate the involvement of other development staff, program staff, and volunteers in the identification / cultivation / solicitation / stewardship process so that priorities are kept in view, deadlines are met, messaging and quality are consistent, and duplication of effort or action at cross purposes is avoided.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:  The key responsibilities of the Leadership and Planned Gift Officer include the following:

1. Managing a portfolio of 120-150 assigned prospects (depending on other project assignments), raise funds for all work of the AFSC through carefully planned cultivation and solicitation of individuals who have the means to make very large outright, blended, or planned gifts.
2. Qualify additional donors’ / prospects’ (usually mid-level donors or those identified by volunteers) capacity to make major/planned gifts through thank you calls, visit requests, prospect research, and discussions with donors, staff, and volunteers.  If an individual does not have the capacity and inclination to give a major / planned gift to AFSC, rate them appropriately for ongoing stewardship and retention outside the major gift program.
3. Increase current donors’ or potential donors’ interest in and financial commitment to AFSC through visits, calls, letters, and other meaningful donor engagement activities.  Interpret the work of the AFSC in articulate, compelling, and creative ways.  The LPO is expected to make approximately 120 meetings per year, with a primary focus on in-person visits.
4. Outreach to Quaker Meetings, retirement homes, and other Quaker gatherings to arrange virtual and in-person visits and presentations from AFSC when aligned with major donor travel.
5. Participate in regular major gift team meetings, donor strategy sessions, and periodic gatherings of all AFSC fundraisers.   
6. In partnership with the Director of Leadership Gifts and, where appropriate, the Director of Planned Giving, develop effective cultivation plans and introduce compelling gift options, taking into account the complex financial situations and organizational relationships of many of AFSC’s most sophisticated donors/prospects.
7. Involve program and senior administrative staff, board members, and other volunteers in the cultivation and solicitation of major / planned gift prospects when appropriate.  Provide coaching and support as needed.
8. Personally acknowledge gifts from assigned donors and coordinate additional acknowledgments from senior administrative staff, program staff, and volunteers when appropriate.
9. Affirmatively position General Secretary and other senior program staff in appropriate relationships with donors.
10. Maintain donor records in Salesforce, including gift proposals or opportunities, notes on cultivation and solicitation activity, and donors’ personal information of relevance to AFSC.
11. Keep informed and up to date about the program work of the AFSC through contacts with program staff, attendance at events, site visits, and reading materials.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education or training.

Experience: 

1. One year of direct fundraising or related experience is required; five or more years is desirable. Experience in major and planned gift fundraising with individuals is a plus.
2. Knowledge of AFSC or a social change organization is desirable.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to communicate professionally and persuasively both orally and in writing.  Ease in initiating contact with persons not known, in person and by phone / email.  Demonstrated ability to interpret effectively the programs and goals of an organization to a wide range of persons of different backgrounds.  Convey credibility and expertise in advising donors on confidential and sometimes complex philanthropic planning matters.
2. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
3. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
4. Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% of each month over a wide geographic area and to work some evenings and weekends.  Must possess a valid driver’s license.
5. Experience that demonstrates ability to organize time well, to give attention to detail, and to carry out careful planning and follow-up.  Ability to use imagination and innovation within financial, physical, time or other limitations.
6. Ability to sustain workloads over extended periods during emergencies, special campaigns, holiday seasons and other situations.
7. Ability to work both independently and in a multi-layered team environment, establish objectives, determine priorities, meet performance standards, and establish a successful team approach to achieve fundraising goals.
8. Ability to exercise judgment consistent with and supportive of AFSC goals.
9. Demonstrated initiative, perseverance, and ability to cope with pressure.  Must be a self-starter.
10. Ability to work cooperatively with committees and staff, in an organization that is characterized by a high level of consultation.
11. Computer and Internet literacy required.  Familiarity with Microsoft Office, and with Salesforce, PG Calc, or other fundraising software desirable.

Compensation:  Salary Family – Fundraising – Development – LPGO/Grant Officer II ($68,999 - $88,955) – Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus recommends vaccination a; as well as adherence to social distancing, masking, and office occupancy protocols. 

Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. 

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.