American Humane Society (AHS) is seeking an experienced Major Gifts Officer to seek out opportunities and develop initiatives to secure funding for American Humane Society. This position will be hybrid or remote based at the DC/PB/LA office or other location and reports directly to the Vice President, Major Gifts and Planned Giving.
For nearly 150 years, American Humane Society (AHS) has led the way in protecting animals and strengthening the bonds between animals and people. We respond first when animals need rescue, shelter, or protection. Through our groundbreaking programs – from our “No Animals Were Harmed®” certification in Hollywood to our farm and conservation welfare standards – we set the highest level of care and compassion in animal protection.
Working at AHS means being part of something bigger. With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, we provide a supportive, professional environment where your work makes a real difference in animals’ lives. American Humane Society is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace. As we seek to fill this position, we highly encourage high-performing applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
Position summary:
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for seeking out opportunities and developing initiatives to secure funding for American Humane Society. Responsibilities include identifying, cultivating and soliciting prospects to ensure a strong base of ongoing financial support that will allow the organization to achieve its aggressive, long-term growth goals. The MGO will, in collaboration with the Vice President, Major Gifts and Planned Giving; and other fundraising staff, be responsible for developing and actively managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors. Each Major Gift Officer will be assigned and expected to cover major gift fundraising duties in a specific geographic region.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and donors capable of giving significant contributions, ideally five-figure (+) gifts, to American Humane Society in assigned Eastern or Western territories.
• Develop and implement management strategies and approaches aimed at advancing donors into higher levels of giving and ultimately planned gifts.
• Successfully achieve identified KPI’s including securing $1M+ in annual philanthropic revenue by year three.
• Steward donors who have already made contributions to American Humane Society.
• Present regular updates to the VP, Major Gifts and Planned Giving and other executive and senior leadership as requested.
• Work and travel with program staff to plan, coordinate and conduct outreach, visits, presentations, and events.
• Attend and assist with American Humane Society fundraising events and activities.
• Build relationships with donors and ensure all major giving donors receive appropriate, consistent recognition, and an accounting of the impact of their gift on the organization.
• Research and contact prospective donors and financial advisors to develop a pipeline of long-term support.
• Produce high quality proposals, reports and other cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials as needed.
• Enter and track all activities, actions, call reports, and deadlines in Salesforce database, and other tracking systems.

Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years fundraising experience in major gifts strongly preferred.
• Proven fundraising track record with experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding high-level donors.
• CFRE credential desired but not required.
• Demonstrate high levels of drive, ownership-mentality and self-motivation, while working collaboratively with a larger team to achieve overarching goals.
• Self-directed to take action and resolve issues using good judgement.
• Flexibility to shift focus rapidly in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment; strong work ethic.
• Possess a client service mentality and ability to think on your feet as well as maintain positive demeanor when dealing with the unexpected.
• Conduct oneself with confidence on phone calls, video chats and in-person donor meetings.
• Ability to emotionally and colorfully describe the incredible work done by American Humane Society to help animals.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer technology including applications for project and data management and electronic calendars (Salesforce, Windows, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook preferred). Ability to quickly learn software specific to the department or institution.
• Strong written (including proof reading and editing) and oral communication skills, including the ability to briefly summarize the essence of issues and means to address them. Use appropriate grammar in verbal or written form.
• Use sound judgment and discretion in handling and securing sensitive and confidential information, as well as the ability to conduct oneself in a highly professional manner.

Direct reports:

• None

Physical demands and work environment:

• Position may be based at one of the American Humane Society’s office locations or be fully remote with regular telework schedule based on organizational policy, need and manager discretion.
• Must be o.k. with animals, particularly dogs, in the office and at events.
• National travel will be required, estimated up to 50% or more as needed, including frequent trips to specific target areas.
• Some evening and weekend hours will be required for outreach or event participation.
• While performing duties of this position, employees will regularly be required to:
• Look at and work off of a computer screen for extended periods of time,
• Talk, hear and exchange information over the telephone, virtually and in person.

American Humane Society’s core values define our workplace, and these values serve as the cornerstone for interactions in advancing our mission and institutional goals. Employees are expected to adhere to all organizational policies and to act as role models, demonstrating American Humane Society’s core values:

• Compassion – Being kind and caring in our interactions with others.
• Accountability - Holding ourselves to the highest standards. Following through on commitments and owning our actions, behavior, and decisions.
• Respect for All – Being professional, listening to others and honoring diversity in all its forms.
• Loyalty to Mission – Staying focused on our purpose and our mission – our nation’s most vulnerable depend on us.
• Sustainability - Contributing to being a great place to work and achieving our shared mission and goals to make a difference, now and in the future.
• Honesty, Integrity, Trust – Demonstrating transparency, as trusted stewards of donor resources, supporting our leadership and one another.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and donors capable of giving significant contributions, ideally five-figure (+) gifts, to American Humane Society in assigned Eastern or Western territories.
• Develop and implement management strategies and approaches aimed at advancing donors into higher levels of giving and ultimately planned gifts.
• Successfully achieve identified KPI’s including securing $1M+ in annual philanthropic revenue by year three.
• Steward donors who have already made contributions to American Humane Society.
• Present regular updates to the VP, Major Gifts and Planned Giving and other executive and senior leadership as requested.
• Work and travel with program staff to plan, coordinate and conduct outreach, visits, presentations, and events.
• Attend and assist with American Humane Society fundraising events and activities.
• Build relationships with donors and ensure all major giving donors receive appropriate, consistent recognition, and an accounting of the impact of their gift on the organization.
• Research and contact prospective donors and financial advisors to develop a pipeline of long-term support.
• Produce high quality proposals, reports and other cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials as needed.
• Enter and track all activities, actions, call reports, and deadlines in Salesforce database, and other tracking systems

American Humane Society’s core values define our workplace, and these values serve as the cornerstone for interactions in advancing our mission and institutional goals. Employees are expected to adhere to all organizational policies and to act as role models, demonstrating American Humane Society’s core values:

• Compassion – Being kind and caring in our interactions with others.
• Accountability - Holding ourselves to the highest standards. Following through on commitments and owning our actions, behavior, and decisions.
• Respect for All – Being professional, listening to others and honoring diversity in all its forms.
• Loyalty to Mission – Staying focused on our purpose and our mission – our nation’s most vulnerable depend on us.
• Sustainability - Contributing to being a great place to work and achieving our shared mission and goals to make a difference, now and in the future.
• Honesty, Integrity, Trust – Demonstrating transparency, as trusted stewards of donor resources, supporting our leadership and one another