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Major Gifts Officer

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium • Full-time • Omaha, Nebraska • 1w ago

Job Details

Zoo Foundation - Omaha, NE

Full Time

4 Year Degree

Negligible

Major Gifts Officer

Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Hours: Full-time
Reports To: Senior Vice President of Development/Chief Development Officer

At the Omaha Zoo Foundation, you have the opportunity to be part of something extraordinary. A place where donor-centered philanthropy is the heart of supporting the mission of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. You will make a real and immediate impact connecting donors to the Zoo as our Major Gift Officer (MGO).

As a growing nonprofit, the Omaha Zoo Foundation is adding an MGO to our dedicated team of fundraising professionals because we must continually deepen relationships with existing donors while bringing new donors to the mission. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Development/Chief Development Officer, the MGO will work closely with internal teams and external partners to engage donors in supporting the Zoo’s long-term sustainability and growth.

Omaha’s Zoo continues to be among the world’s best zoos because of extraordinary animal care, passionate conservation efforts, and continuous growth and improvement. You will play an integral role in advancing the mission by managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects while focusing on cultivating and securing financial support for key programs and initiatives. You truly enjoy people and understand that it is a privilege to help connect a donor’s generosity with a mission they care about. You have excellent communication and listening skills, strong ability to build rapport, a proven record of securing major gifts and are a natural and optimistic team member.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management:
- Build and manage a portfolio of 75-100 prospects with the capacity to make significant gifts, primarily in the five to six-figure range.
- Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to secure major gifts for education and conservation programs.
- Lead donor identification efforts, conducting prospect research to identify new major gift prospects and deepen relationships with existing donors.
- Collaborate with the Zoo’s leadership, education, and conservation teams to understand funding needs and craft compelling proposals that align with donor interests.
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:
- Cultivate meaningful relationships with prospective and current donors through personalized outreach, events, and Zoo experiences, aligning their philanthropic goals with the Zoo’s mission.
- Steward major donors by providing timely and thoughtful recognition, including impact reports and exclusive updates on educational and conservation programming.
- Plan and participate in donor events, tours, and other cultivation activities designed to engage donors and demonstrate the impact of their support.
Collaboration & Proposal Development:
- Work closely with the Foundation's development team and creative agency to create customized proposals, presentations, and case-for-support materials that resonate with donors.
- Collaborate with conservation and education staff to understand programmatic priorities and ensure that donor engagement strategies reflect the Zoo's vision for education and conservation impact.
- Partner with the donor relations and event teams to ensure seamless execution of donor-centric events, including tours, lectures, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Goal Setting & Reporting:
- Establish and achieve annual revenue goals for the major gifts program, ensuring measurable growth in funding for education and conservation initiatives.
- Maintain accurate and detailed records of donor interactions, solicitation strategies, and gift documentation in the donor database.
- Provide regular progress reports to the Vice President of Development and the leadership team, outlining key metrics related to donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Qualifications:

Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
Experience:
- Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising, with a strong track record of successfully securing major gifts in the nonprofit sector.
- Proven success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individuals and corporate donors, with a focus on gifts of $25,000+.
- Experience working in education or conservation-related fundraising preferred.
Skills:
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect and engage with high-net-worth donors, corporate partners, and community leaders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals and donor communications.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Proficiency with Salesforce donor management software (CRM), Microsoft Office, and data management systems.
- Ability to work independently, with a high degree of initiative and self-motivation, while also collaborating effectively with internal teams.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

Must be able to work evenings and weekends to support the Foundation’s donor events and special initiatives.
Professional demeanor required, with a passion for the mission of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and a commitment to supporting its educational and conservation goals.

Travel Required: