Organization Vision
uAspire imagines a day when all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential by graduating from college, regardless of their families’ financial resources or college experiences.
Organization Summary
uAspire is committed to ensuring that all young people have the financial information and resources necessary to achieve their dreams of higher education. uAspire provides free, one-on-one college affordability advising and advocacy to students and families across the country, helping them overcome the financial barriers to a college education. Through strategic partnerships with high schools, community organizations and local universities, uAspire helps academically prepared students find an affordable path to – and through – a postsecondary education.
uAspire Massachusetts currently serves 10,000 young people and families annually and has an operating budget of $3.8 million. uAspire operates in six cities across Massachusetts – Boston, Fall River, Lawrence, Springfield, Cambridge and Somerville. Since 1985, uAspire has provided financial aid advising to more than 60,000 students in Massachusetts.
Position Summary
The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for oversight and management of all individual giving efforts for uAspire Massachusetts. S/he will create and implement strategies for cultivating and building relationships with individual donors in Boston, the five additional Massachusetts cities where we work, as well as with major prospects statewide. The Major Gifts Officer will have a proven track record in major gift fundraising, with outstanding interpersonal competencies and the ability to manage and mentor a team, work well with colleagues, and effectively engage volunteer leadership. The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for growing the donor prospect pipeline for gifts from individuals and private family foundations at all levels. S/he will manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with an annual giving capacity of $5,000-$100,000+. The successful candidate will be a strategic team player who is visionary about uAspire’s fundraising potential and who can develop entrepreneurial and creative initiatives to maximize results. Individuals with experience in all nonprofit sectors and organization types are encouraged to apply.
Principal Responsibilities
- Work with the Executive Director and the Senior Director of External Affairs to develop, review, and implement a strategy for increased donor awareness in Boston and the other Massachusetts cities where we work.
- Establish priority donor targets, strategies, and outreach activities.
- Project, track, and meet fundraising goals for comprehensive campaign and annual operating support.
- Manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 50 donors and 150-200 prospects with help from other members of the development team.
- Work with the uAspire National executive team and development team to coordinate individual fundraising strategies and goals.
- Work with the Director of Special Events to design and execute appropriate cultivation and fundraising events.
- Build awareness by representing uAspire at relevant conferences and events.
- Prepare Executive Team members and Board members for meetings with donors and prospects.
- Maintain accurate donor information through database systems (Salesforce), contact reports, updates, and follow-up on visits, phone calls, and strategies for donors and prospects under management.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred.
- 7+ years of fundraising experience, with past individual relationship management responsibility required.
- Proven knowledge of fundraising management best practices including prospect research, report writing, database management, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
- Proven track record of closing solicitations with donors at the $100,000+ level.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Mature interpersonal skills and ability to develop strong professional relationships.
- Ability to manage workflow within a team.
- Experience with fundraising database systems, e.g., Salesforce.
- Belief in and adherence to uAspire’s Organizational Values – Student-Centered, Excellent, Dedicated, Collaborative, and Systems-Focused – required.
- Ability to work flexible hours that will include occasional early morning, evening, and some weekend meetings.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary commensurate with experience. All full-time employees receive a competitive benefits package.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience for this position. We will not accept applications without a cover letter. Please send to jobs@uaspire.org, with the subject line: Major Gifts Officer, Massachusetts.
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