Major Gifts Officer - USO

**Applicants should reside in Florida**

Why join our team?

USO mission and exceptional team, around the world, make this a great place to work. We offer generous paid time off, including volunteer days and military leave. We have an exceptional 401k match, great benefits including training/education reimbursement and really fun team members that put the mission first. Working for the USO is more than a job. It’s a calling. (Do what you like, like what you do)!

Here is what an independent external survey told us:

• 97% agree they like the work they do
• 90% are satisfied with the pay and benefits
• 95% would recommend working here to friends and family
• 95% would recommend the USO services to a friend

The Major Gifts Officer, Southeast will be a part of the growing, nationwide Major and Planned Giving team at the USO and is responsible for successful implementation of fundraising strategies within their assigned geographic service area and soliciting donations from individuals and family foundations over $10k.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Duties)

• Secure gifts of $10,000+ from a portfolio of 120 high net worth individuals and family foundations within fourteen states in the Southeastern U.S. to support the USO’s mission both nationally and globally.
• Maintain an active schedule of moves management to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through a variety of means including in-person or virtual meetings, emails, cold calls, written communications, mission immersion experiences and other existing USO events.
• Interface with members of the Prospect Development team to request prospect research or customized prospect lists based on already-existing wealth analytics, geography, recency of giving or other selected criteria.
• Collaborate with other members of the nationwide Major and Planned Giving team to brainstorm donor strategies and contribute innovative ideas and perspectives to further growth.
• Work in partnership with the Grant and Stewardship Manager to create compelling major gift proposals and complete a small number of grant applications, as needed.
• Identify Planned Giving prospects and coordinate strategy and approach with the USO’s Director of Planned Giving.
• Partner with USO Executive Directors within the region and center operations staff to support local fundraising events & activations.
• In coordination with Marketing and Communications, create consistent, powerful, and compelling messaging as it relates to major gift development efforts.
• Prepare and present oral and written reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years work experience in individual, foundation, and corporate giving/sponsorship development role, including at least 2 years of experience as a frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of individual donors utilizing the moves management process with a track record of directly soliciting and securing gifts of $10,000 +. Relevant experience in a national or global organization preferred and experience with six-figure solicitations a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to be strategic, self-directed and proactive in engaging new major gift prospects and moving major donors up in giving levels year-over-year in order to grow revenue, with the ability to quickly and easily adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills. Ability to deliver compelling call-to-action cases to internal and external stakeholders at a variety of levels.
• Solid knowledge of IRS guidelines for charitable contributions and Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability.
• Being a team-player while working collaboratively in a matrix team environment and partnering with Executive Directors and other staff within the region.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Ability to effectively interact with USO Leadership, the general public and military audiences at a variety of levels.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment related to controversial and/or culturally sensitive subjects. Ability to handle confidential information with tact and poise.
• Ability to manage a high volume of assignments with varying complexity and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with integrity and professionalism.
• Proficiency using computers and electronics equipment. Working knowledge of various software, applications, and programs including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite and Raiser’s Edge or other comparable donor database software.
• Ability to obtain and maintain proper credentials necessary to access USO Center locations and facilities including but not limited to security, credit and/or background screening, SOFA status, valid driver’s license.
• Must be a strong advocate of the USO’s mission to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families.

Details

• This position is remote and will manage an existing portfolio of major donors and prospects within the geographic region that spans 14 states: MD, DC, VA, WV, KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, AR, LA, FL. Applicants should reside in the state of Florida.
• Travel within the Southeast region and to the other above listed states within the region will be required but will be at the discretion of the of the Major Gifts Officer based on major donor cultivation and solicitation timing and needs.
• This position reports to the Director of Development, Southeast Region and will be an important part of the Major and Planned Giving team within the USO Development Department.
• USO locations will adhere to local area and DOD guidelines regarding COVID vaccination/testing requirements. Employees may be required to be vaccinated or tested regularly per local requirements.
• Resume and cover letter are required for full consideration.
• Background check – education, criminal and driving required.
• The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

If that’s not enough to convince you, here are some direct quotes from employees:

• The organization truly cares about the people who work here.
• I have been with the USO for 4 years and have consistently been able to grow in my knowledge and position. It is a fun place to work and my work/life balance is manageable. The way the organization has handled COVID has been top notch - I never felt fearful that I would lose my job or be put in a situation where I did not feel safe. The benefits are great - PTO and 401k matching are top level.
• There is great consideration given and extended in the following areas: organizational core values for all, work-life balance, impact we can actually see (and even experience as a staff member- the feeling of making an impact is priceless), autonomy with respect to current position within the organization.
• Everyone is friendly and easy to talk to. We collaborate well together and share ideas and interests to create fun activities for our overall goal in the community. I couldn't think of a better organization to work for.
• The mission alone provides a positive and meaningful purpose, where people should want to work and be a part of. Most of the people who work for the USO and volunteer for the USO have giving hearts and want to make a difference. This also makes the organization a place where people would want to work.
• The mission and opportunities to make a Difference are amazing. There is no doubt that the USO is one of the most forward-facing, frontline serving nonprofits that I know of.