Job Title: Director of Major Gifts
Department: Major Gifts
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

The Minnesota Zoo Foundation
We are the Minnesota Zoo Foundation — a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides critical funding and resources that support the Zoo’s initiatives and expand its impact. Join us in building a future where humans and the natural world thrive together — at the Zoo and beyond. The Foundation has recently completed its most successful capital campaign in its history to build the Treetop Trail, and is positioned to grow its support of the MN Zoo as it advances other major projects including a state-of-the art new animal hospital.

Director of Major Gifts Summary
As the Director of Major Gifts, you will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all the Minnesota Zoo Foundation’s individual major gift fundraising endeavors. The Director of Major Gifts manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, while leading the Major Gift Team. Working with the Executive Director and Foundation President, you will lead an upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign. You will apply your experience building Major Gifts teams and procedures, as you build and execute plans that drive the growth of critical individual giving programs. Your success in implementing and managing annual Trustee Giving campaigns and guiding Trustee involvement in fundraising efforts will be critical to our success.

Our preferred candidate will have 10+ years’ experience in professional fundraising, particularly in leading a major gifts team. They will have demonstrated experience in prospect identification, cultivating, stewarding and soliciting gifts of more than $100,000. As a skilled people manager and leader, you will have at least 8 years history in building and leading highly effective fundraising teams (both annual and capital), as well as managing department level budgets. Experience working for organizations with wildlife, sustainability or conservation-focused missions is highly desired as is familiarity with Tessitura CRM software.

The Minnesota Zoo Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Our Foundation values a collaborative style and the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals both inside the organization and out in the community. Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status is essential.

Duties & Responsibilities

Major Giving Leadership

Responsible for the overall management and growth of the Zoo’s major gifts program, including major gifts, planned giving, and capital fundraising.
Manage a portfolio of 150 to 200 major gift prospects, meeting with them regularly to gain knowledge required to develop individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
Implement and manage the annual Trustee Giving campaign and staff Board Development Committee. Guide goals and objectives setting for Trustee involvement in fundraising efforts.
Works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Foundation President, and other leadership to lead capital campaign fundraising efforts.
Works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Foundation leadership and marketing/communications colleagues within the foundation and Zoo in the development of strategy that raises awareness and promotes the growth of critical individual giving programs.
Oversee creation of publications to support fundraising activities, such as major gifts and planned giving brochures, solicitation letters and capital campaign collateral material.
Help manage the Circle of Life Society, the Zoo’s planned giving program.
Secure gifts for the Zoo’s major annual fundraising event, Beastly Bash.
Work with Zoo staff to identify opportunities for program and project support, and develops plans to solicit major gifts in support of these programs and projects.
Clearly articulate and promote a strong case of need for philanthropy for the Zoo.
Contribute to the overall management and strategic direction of the MN Zoo Foundation in order to successfully achieve its mission.
Work with the Director of Annual giving to ensure an efficient and effective donor pipeline, including a donor prospect research discipline.

Department Leadership

Plan and administer the department's budget; monitor expenditures and income projections to ensure targets are met.
Manage the department's staff and lead the preparation of an annual plans including goals, objectives and individual work plans for the department that reflects the organizational strategic priorities to meet all program and income goals

Leadership Responsibilities

Provide innovative and creative solutions, leveraging peers and best practices to advance the goals of the organization, specifically growing Major Gifts portfolios.
Develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with internal and external constituents to achieve positive relationships that support the mission of the Zoo, Zoo Foundation and management initiatives
Design, support and participate in cross-departmental teams throughout the organization (Fnd and Zoo).

Supervision Responsibilities

Recruit, build and manage a high performaning team
Provide active coaching and guidance to direct reports to assist in their skill and competency building a high performing, efficient, and effective team
Manage team to meet (and exceed) targeted goals, continually monitoring performance of individual contributors and providing performance feedback informally and formally as outlined in HR handbook/meeting org.’s performance evaluation schedule
Proactively identify, anticipate and respond to issues in the department and organization that affect teamwork and goal/mission attainment.

Other

Participate through active involvement in team and all staff meetings, events, and training.
Provide on-site support for events and programs as needed by the Foundation, which typically occur on the weekends or in the evenings.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the changing needs of the organization and the successful candidate’s interests, aptitude, and experience.

Minimum Skills & Experience Required

5+ Years of Nonprofit experience.
3+ years of managerial experience
10+ years’ experience in professional fundraising, particularly in the area of major gifts.
Demonstrated experience in cultivating, stewarding and soliciting gifts of $100,000+ from a variety of donors and prospects and in the creation and implementation of successful gift strategies and tactics.
Possess the skills to work with and motivate staff, board members and other volunteers.
Have the desire to get out of the office and build external relationships.
Be a “self-starter” and goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls.
Be organized and exhibit “follow through” on tasks and goals.
Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate self-confidence, common sense and good listening ability.
Possess the ability to think strategically and long-term.
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Proficiency with donor and contact management databases
A valid driver’s license, with a safe driving record, and at least one year of driving experience travel to offsite meetings with donors and prospects.

Preferred Skills & Experience

8+ years of nonprofit experience
Experience working for organizations with an education or conservation-focused missions is highly desired.
Experience preparing and managing department level budgets.
Experience with Tessitura CRM Software.
Experience working in a nonprofit organization.

Minnesota Zoo Foundation Qualification Requirements

Collaborative style and the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals both inside the organization and out in the community. Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class and immigrant status.

Ability to clearly represent and present the mission and vision of the Minnesota Zoo.
Ability to work independently and proactively while keeping supervisor apprised of issues, opportunities, and progress.

Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues in multiple departments/divisions.

Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines.
High degree of integrity, ethical decision making, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Occasional evening and weekend work required and must be capable of planning and managing independent travel.

Physical, Travel, Additional requirements

Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
May need to work occasional weekends and evenings dependent on Foundation events.
Required to use a computer and phone; Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping;
Ability to navigate the Zoo premises and accompany donors and prospects on tours in variable weather conditions, both indoor and outdoor.
May need to lift up to 20 lbs.
Moderate noise level in an office setting, occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions on the campus of the Minnesota Zoo.
This is a hybrid work position, onsite at the Minnesota Zoo 2-3 days per week, frequently requiring private transportation by the employee to offsite prospect and donor visits.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the Minnesota Zoo Foundation to comply with all applicable equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. The Foundation provides equal opportunity employment for all qualified persons. All our employment practices, benefits and programs will be administered without regard to actual or perceived race (inclusive of traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locs, and twists), color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status or military history, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, family history or familial status, genetic information, union membership, creed, status with respect to receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, use of lawful consumable products, or any other basis protected by Federal, State or local law.

This commitment extends to all phases of employment including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, job assignment, transfers, training and development, promotions, demotions, discipline, compensation, benefits, terminations, layoff, recall, transfer, access to benefits, leaves of absences, and all other conditions or privileges associated with employment.

The Foundation expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination based on any of the characteristics mentioned above. Improper interference with the ability of other employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.

The Foundation will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee related to an individual’s physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and/or any other reason required by applicable law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon the Foundation’s business operations.

Applications received by November 15, 2024 will receive first consideration.

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