About the Role:

The Foundations and Major Gifts Manager will raise financial support by developing and executing strategies for cultivating and stewarding Big Thought's major donor portfolio, including foundations, supporting the coordination and execution of special events and assists with other projects as needed.

 About Big Thought:

Big Thought equips youth in marginalized communities to imagine and create their best lives and world. The secret that makes our work uniquely effective is the powerful combination of our social and emotional focus, experiential learning, community-centered partnerships, inclusion/equity lens and future focus.

 Throughout our 30+ year history of innovation, Big Thought has become a national model in arts education, out of school time systems, summer learning and juvenile justice intervention. Now, we’re one of six community partnerships in the U.S helping scale national best practices in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). We take direct-to-youth programs and resources to communities with the greatest needs and share our evidence-based best practices with other nonprofits and organizations through a suite of consultation services including professional development, curriculum design and technical assistance.

#Big Thought Way:

Big Thought brings relentless optimism, innovation and imagination to everything we do. Our youth come first, and we use a collaborative, all hands on deck approach to ensure that they are served well.

About the Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is enthusiastic and an experienced fundraiser in building high-touch, long-term relationships with major donors and foundations as well as demonstrated success soliciting and securing support. The ideal candidate for this position will possess strong communication and analytical skills, be solution-oriented, have experience managing through change, be an individual of impeccable integrity and high ethical standards. The candidate will have experience in developing and implementing a major gifts strategy to ensure long-term financial stability of the organization.

What the Role Entails:

·         Develop Big Thought’s annual major gifts and individual giving plan, leading strategy in collaboration with the Vice President of Development

·         Manage a portfolio of major donor and foundation relationships, overseeing cultivation and relationship management as well as identifying new prospects

·         Build the pipeline of major donor and foundation support by identifying, researching, and engaging local, regional, and national prospects

·         Establish and maintain a donor cultivation plan and gift stewardship program

·         Develop and support portfolios of prospects for cultivation and solicitation by the Vice President of Development, President and CEO, Board Members and other staff

·         Maintain excellent record-keeping, ensuring that donor management is accurate in Salesforce and other tools and systems used by Big Thought

·         Be accountable to personal goals, strategies, and metrics, participating in ongoing and regular assessment of progress toward goals

·         Provide briefings and reporting on fundraising activities on a regular basis

·         Coordinate with the Communications team to develop collateral and support foundation and major donor partnerships through marketing recognition

·         Infuse inclusion and equity both internally and externally

·         Conduct meetings and prepare materials and proposals

·         Other duties as assigned by supervisor for the success of the departmental goals and organization’s mission

Minimum Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience

·         Three years’ experience focused on corporate and/or foundation giving and volunteer management

·         Excellent organization, communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills are a must

·         Intermediate knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office used for word processing, email, presentations, and spreadsheets

·         Proficiency of donor CRMs

Physical Expectations (not an exhaustive list):

Big Thought jobs are hands on and can be physically demanding.  To perform the duties of these roles successfully, you may regularly be required to: sit, stand, or stare at computer screen for long periods of time; participate in external activities; use various office equipment, some manual; work in environment with loud sounds, multiple distractions and interruptions; be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures on occasion; maintain emotional control during stressful situations.

BIG THOUGHT ASPIRES TO BE A WORKPLACE OF INCLUSION & EQUITY.  WE VISUALIZE A WORKPLACE THAT PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE.  WE BELIEVE A BASELINE REQUIREMENT TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION IS EVERYONE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT – REGARDLESS THE ISSUE AT HAND. 

Employees of Big Thought are expected to participate in mission driven activities, meetings, committees, etc. BT is based on a team environment and openness to always “lend a hand” as appropriate to another employee.

All employees are required to adhere to BT policies and procedures.  All employees may expect to perform duties as assigned. In addition, all employees may be assigned “other” duties in the spirit of teamwork.

Big Thought is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

To apply, submit cover letter, resume, five professional references and salary requirements to admin@wiseresourcedevelopment.com. No phone calls please.