Associate Director, Major Gifts at American Jewish World Service in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

About the Organization:
American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and pursue justice in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations in 17 countries, we respond to the most pressing issues of our time-from disasters, genocide and hunger to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all. Learn more about AJWS at https://ajws.org/.

About the Position:
Working as a member of a high-performing major gifts team, Senior Development Officer (SDO), Major Gifts will identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit a national portfolio of current and prospective donors including mid-level and discovery donors to achieve and surpass fundraising targets and goals. The SDO, Major Gifts reports to the Director, Major Gifts and their portfolio of donors will be national rather than region-specific.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects including mid-level and discovery donors
• In collaboration with the Director, Major Gifts, develop and execute clear short-term and long-range plans for the portfolio that are both practical and ambitious
• Identify prospects, funding opportunities, and strategies that will help achieve annual and longer-term development goals
• Create a comprehensive annual strategy for each donor using the moves management system to manage donors and prospects through the pipeline
• Monitor fundraising results against projections
• Produce effective verbal and written communication about American Jewish World Service, its mission, policies, culture, values, history, key stakeholders, programs and finances
• Draft and edit written materials to donors and prospects including stewardship, cultivation and solicitation emails, proposals and reports
• Coordinate in-person opportunities for senior leadership and program staff to meet with donors and speak at events
• Establish and maintain strong relationships and develop partnerships with all AJWS staff and stakeholders
• Collaborate with divisional colleagues on events, stewardship activities and database reports
• Stay abreast of philanthropic, economic, social, and community trends related to American Jewish World Service

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, including direct solicitation, within complex and dynamic mission driven nonprofit organizations
• Demonstrated achievement identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors making gifts between $10,000-$50,000; with a combination of donor levels from $1,000- $50,000.
• Significant experience maintaining strong relationships internally and externally
• Proven ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a compelling way
• Knowledge of Salesforce or a similar database
• Familiarity with donor research and screening tools
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Track record of creative problem-solving, setting and meeting goals, strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Ability to travel
• Passion for and commitment to AJWS's mission and values

Preferred Requirements

• Event planning experience
• Understanding of fundraising for human rights or international cause
• Knowledge of the Jewish community

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