Major Gifts Manager jobs in Acton, CA

Position: Major Gifts Office or Senior Major Gifts Officer 

Department: Development 

Work Type Designation: Hybrid 

• Per Lambda Legal’s Work Location Designation policy, Work from Home, Work from Office, and Hybrid options are available with supervisor approval. 

• Given the requirements of this role, an applicant must live within reasonable commuting distance from Los Angeles, Seattle, or San Francisco. 

• Work from Office and Hybrid employees must be able to commute to the Regional Office as their schedule demands. 

Office Location: Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, or San Francisco, CA 

Report To: Regional Director for the Western Regional Office 

Union Status: D4 or D5. This role is a union position.    

Annual Salary Range: The salary for this role will be based on a step scale and geographic location. The salary will be determined by a candidate's years of relevant experience related to the position.  

• Major Gifts Officer = $85,197 - $132,158 

• Senior Major Gifts Officer = $104,609 - $141,409 

Travel: Up to 30% within region 

FLSA Status: Exempt/Full-Time 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None 
 

Who We Are  

Lambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ community and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Our clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC.   
  
We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ and HIV communities requires cultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ people and everyone living with HIV; rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class. Considering this reality, we prioritize a proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects in the work we do, but also in how we work together as an organization. 

 
Major Gift Officer (MGO) or Senior Major Gifts Officer (SMGO) 

The Major Gift Officer or Senior Major Gift Officer will work to expand Lambda Legal’s donor programs and volunteer activities and visibility in the Western Regional area and other markets as assigned/needed. This position is also responsible for managing relationships, communications, and individual giving plans with donors and managing volunteer leadership committees, as needed in their assigned markets. This role will also work to increase planned giving in the areas covered and is responsible for increasing donor revenue in each assigned market and for their overall portfolio. This position will have travel requirements and local evening commitments. 

Responsibilities 

Major Gift Officer:  

The MGO reports to the Deputy Director of Development for Major Gifts. The MGO role requires a “roll up your sleeves” approach and keen attention to detail and donor moves management processes, reporting, metrics driven workflow. The following is a list of the core responsibilities of the MGO:  

• Manage Major Donor fundraising programs in assigned markets, including acquiring, cultivating, and soliciting donors and prospects with potential to give $1500 or more annually, with a heightened focus on individual giving and upgrading donors to Major Donor levels ($5,000 ) This includes face-to-face meetings and interaction with donors including direct solicitations and managing cultivation events/touch points including house parties  

• Work to increase planned giving in the areas covered and is responsible for increasing Leadership Donor revenue in each assigned market and for overall portfolio. The MGO works as a team with other staff under the leadership of the Deputy Director of Development for Major Gifts to plan and execute a wide variety of development relationships and activities  

• Serve as the "point person" for individual donors and prospects, local corporate and law firm event sponsors, and volunteer fundraising committees in their assigned markets areas; and other markets and Leadership Donors nationally, as assigned  

• Work with Lambda Legal staff, Board, National Leadership Council (NLC) members and other volunteers to execute fundraising and cultivation events in assigned markets and additional ones, as determined. The MGO will also manage volunteer leadership committees and Leadership Donor fundraising plans, including identifying and securing event sponsorships (individual and firm/corporate), in assigned markets and others, as determined  

• Support and manage annual solicitation of donors in assigned portfolio by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Development Officer, Board, NLC members, other key volunteers, and other Lambda Legal staff. This includes identifying and securing major donor prospect meetings for senior staff and organizational leadership. The MGO will acknowledge contributions and coordinate annual report recognition for gifts received from donors in assigned portfolio and work with national staff to coordinate input into grant proposals for local foundations and prospective foundation grantors  

• Additional duties as assigned  

Senior Major Gift Officer:  

The SMGO role requires a “roll up your sleeves” entrepreneurial approach and keen attention to detail and donor moves management processes, reporting, metrics driven workflow. The following is a list of the core responsibilities of the SMGO: 

• Manage Leadership Donor fundraising programs in assigned markets, including acquiring, cultivating, and soliciting donors and prospects with potential to give $5,000 or more annually, with a heightened focus on individual giving and upgrading donors to Leadership Donor levels ($25,000 ). This includes face-to-face meetings and interaction with donors including direct solicitations and managing cultivation events/touch points including house parties. 

• Work to increase planned giving in the areas covered and is responsible for increasing Leadership Donor revenue in each assigned market and for overall portfolio. The SMGO works as a team with other staff under the leadership of the Deputy Director of Development for Major Gifts to plan and execute a wide variety of development relationships and activities. 

• Serve as the primary contact for individual donors and prospects, local corporate and law firm event sponsors, and volunteer fundraising committees in their assigned markets areas; and other markets and Leadership Donors nationally, as assigned. 

• Work with Lambda Legal staff, Board, National Leadership Council (NLC) members and other volunteers to execute fundraising and cultivation events in assigned markets and additional ones, as determined. The SMGO will also manage volunteer leadership committees and Leadership Donor fundraising plans, including identifying and securing event sponsorships (individual and firm/corporate) and other markets as determined. 

• Leverage their existing networks in support of Lambda Legal’s Mission. 

• Support and manage annual solicitation of donors in assigned portfolio by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Development Officer, Board, NLC members, other key volunteers, and other Lambda Legal staff. This includes identifying and securing major donor prospect meetings for senior staff and organizational leadership. The SMGO will acknowledge contributions and coordinate annual report recognition for gifts received from donors in assigned portfolio and work with national staff to coordinate input into grant proposals for local foundations and prospective foundation grantors. 

• Additional duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

Successful candidates will welcome the opportunity to work in a racially- and gender-diverse environment and to contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Working at Lambda Legal requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that Lambda Legal serves. Skills and competencies include: 

Major Gifts Officer:  

• Bachelor's degree preferred 

• 3 years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and experience coordinating fundraising events desired  

• Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time; campaign and annual giving experience is a plus  

• Demonstrated experience working with racially and gender diverse volunteers and groups.  

• Experience working closely with Board and key volunteers and knowledge of LGBTQ and/or philanthropic communities in assigned areas is required  

• Excellent communication skills, both written and interpersonal; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term authentic relationships  

• Flexible, adaptive, and innovative work style; a collaborator who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives  

• Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the organization.  

• High energy and passion for Lambda Legal’s mission is essential  

• Strong organizational and time management skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail  

• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office applications and Raiser’s Edge database  

• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization and to excel in an environment that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration  

Senior Major Gifts Officer:  

• Bachelor's degree preferred 

• 5 years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and experience coordinating fundraising events desired 

• Experience soliciting five and six figure gifts. 

• Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time; campaign and annual giving experience 

• Demonstrated experience working with racially and gender diverse volunteers and groups. 

• Experience working closely with Board and key volunteers and knowledge of LGBTQ  and/or philanthropic communities in assigned areas is required. 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and interpersonal; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term authentic relationships. 

• Flexible, adaptive, and innovative work style; a collaborator who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives. 

• Able to leverage existing networks in advancement of Lambda Legal’s mission. 

• Ability to work both independently without close oversight: also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the organization. 

• High energy and passion for Lambda Legal’s mission is essential. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail. 

• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office applications and Raiser’s Edge database. 

• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization and to excel in an environment that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. 

Benefits:

We are pleased to offer competitive benefits for the hard work our employees do on behalf of our mission. A highlight of the benefits we offer include:

• Medical benefits that begin on your start date
• Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date)
• Short & Long-Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment)
• Paid Time Off:
  • Paid Vacation (15 Days)
  • Sick Leave (12 Days)
  • Personal Leave (3 Days)
  • Religious Observance Leave (3 Days)
  • Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave
  • Floating Holiday (1 Day)
• 12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits
• Health Reimbursement Account
• $50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement
• Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Premium subscription to the Calm App
• Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions)

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Read more about Lambda Legal's work on our blog and Instagram.

Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ , HIV-affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.