Major Gifts Officer
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Major Gifts Officer will work with the Executive Director to proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with existing and prospective major donors to grow and diversify revenue to ensure that we meet our immediate and long-term financial goals to give the children that need it most the chance of a music education that will help them thrive.
The Major Gifts Officer will possess a passion for philanthropy and a strong understanding of donor relationship management. They will exhibit the highest level of ethics and professionalism, demonstrate excellent relationship building and interpersonal skills, and have a proven track record of inspiring significant donor support.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Solicit and secure major gifts in the 5 to 6 figure range from individuals, foundations, corporations and government
- Research and identify government grant opportunities
- Write compelling, strategic government grant applications to secure funding and assist Finance team with reporting requirements
- Conduct prospect research to identify potential major donors by analyzing donor database and using external online research tools and other sources
- Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle:
– Initiate contact with potential leadership and major gift donors
– Develop appropriate cultivation strategies, including working with volunteers and Board members
– Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
– Make solicitations when appropriate
– Maintain stewardship contacts with donors - Participate in donor meetings and events
- Identify opportunities for growth and expansion within existing relationships and potential new partnerships
- Prepare compelling and effective foundation grant proposals and corporate funding applications
- Create stewardship reports, gift agreements and other materials to support the major gift program
- Meticulously use the donor database for moves management e.g. to record donor interactions to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
- Work closely with CMST program team to gather project and budget information for written applications and reports and ensure timelines of funded activities are on track
- Assist in the development of annual and multi-year plans to achieve fundraising goals
- Establish and monitor performance metrics, including fundraising targets
- Perform other duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND REQUIREMENTS
- University degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and at least five (5) years of senior fundraising experience
- Must be a highly energetic, poised professional with demonstrated leadership and a track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts and multi-year pledges in the five-six figure range
- Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors to develop relationships between them and CMSTF
- Interest in all aspects of CMST and a dedication to promoting CMST’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with senior staff, faculty, volunteers, and the CMSTF & CMST teams
- Successful experience in cold calling as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies
- Must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills
- Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation would be an asset
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge would be considered an asset
- A vulnerable sector police check is required
- Languages: Fluent in English (written & spoken)
- Ability to work remotely as well as at our office locations
CMST FOUNDATION’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY AND ANTI-RACISM
CMST Foundation is committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful, and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
HOW TO APPLY
We invite all applicants wishing to apply for this position to send your cover letter and resume to Jane O’Hare at jane@communitymusic.org quoting “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line. Please note we will only contact applicants that most closely match the requirements for the role. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until a suitable candidate is found.