Major Gift Staff - Houston

We are seeking a Major Gift Staff to join our development team. The Major Gift Staff role will partner with Buckner's Development team to strengthen relationships with current and prospective major donors throughout the Houston area. Building on an existing portfolio while identifying new opportunities, this position will work closely with the Interim Chief Development Officer/VP of Development to cultivate meaningful donor connections, advance strategic fundraising priorities, and expand philanthropic support for Buckner's mission. This position will also support a thoughtful, successful transition of donor relationships to a future Houston-based Major Gift Officer.

What You’ll Do
As a member of our team, you will have an impact on our clients through the accomplishment of the following responsibilities:

• Manage and steward relationships with donors and donor prospects in the Houston area, including individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, and other organizations, as assigned.
• Re-engage donors from a previous major gift portfolio and develop cultivation and stewardship strategies designed to strengthen relationships and increase engagement with Buckner’s mission and ministry.
• Partner with the Interim CDO/VP of Development to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and donor prospects and develop donor-centered engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Make qualification, cultivation, and stewardship calls and visits to individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, and other organizations for the purpose of developing relationships that could lead to philanthropic support for Buckner ministries.
• Facilitate introductions and connections between donors and Buckner leadership, board members, and program staff.
• Champion a greater understanding and awareness of Buckner’s mission and ministry among donors and donor prospects through intentional relationship management and engagement.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation and stewardship strategies for assigned donors and donor prospects.
• Fully utilize Buckner tools and resources to conduct donor and prospect calls, visits, virtual meetings, and other relationship-building activities, individually or in partnership with Buckner staff and leadership.
• Utilize program staff, Executive Directors, organizational leadership, Buckner International Board Members, Development Council Members, and other volunteers, as appropriate, in the cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation of donors and donor prospects.
• Create opportunities for donors and donor prospects to experience Buckner’s mission and ministry through tours, site visits, events, mission experiences, and other engagement opportunities.
• Maintain consistent stewardship and communication with donors and donor prospects to demonstrate appreciation, communicate impact, and strengthen long-term relationships.
• Prepare written proposals, funding requests, impact reports, presentations, and other materials to support donor cultivation and direct solicitations.
• Participate in major gift conversations and solicitation efforts with Buckner leadership, staff, board members, and other organizational representatives, as appropriate.
• Support the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors for priority programs, initiatives, capital fund drives, major gifts, organizational campaigns, foundation, corporate partnerships, and other fundraising efforts as assigned.
• Work to secure philanthropic support for Buckner programs, ministries, initiatives, and campaigns in alignment with established Development goals and priorities.
• Maintain timely documentation of donor records, interactions, next steps, and engagement strategies in the Contract Relationship Management (CRM) system.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with all Buckner policies, procedures, and requirements. Maintain knowledge of and compliance with all state and federal laws and regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for supporting and representing Buckner at special events, activities, and other assigned functions.
• Travel domestically as needed to monitor, assess, and assist in the development of programs.
• Attend and participate in meetings and training as required; facilitate meetings and training as required.
• Work successfully as part of a team and be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with coworkers.
• Perform general office tasks as required.
• Perform special assignments, projects, and other duties as required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and /or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and /or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects.
• Ability to stand, walk, stand, and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.
• Requires the ability to crawl, kneel, climb, bend, turn, twist, stoop, reach, grasp, push, pull, and carry or otherwise manipulate objects.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with an appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
• Requires sufficient good health to properly discharge duties.

POSITION EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

• Requires the ability to successfully identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and donor prospects in the assigned area for all Buckner ministries and programs. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• A minimum of 5-8 years of prior related experience is required in building and sustaining relationships with constituents engaged with an organization.
• Requires prior related experience working with necessary parties to develop and refine content for solicitations.
• Requires proven successful experience in identifying, cultivating, and sustaining relationships that lead to financial or other contributions to an organization.
• Proficient working knowledge of donor development, fundraising, and public relations laws and regulations governing agencies and employees is required.
• Requires proficient ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Requires the ability to provide strategic and logistical planning, as well as facilitate meetings. Requires ability to organize complex tasks and plans and to be detail-oriented.
• Requires ability to speak clearly and make oneself understood effectively in face-to-face interactions; articulate with accuracy to speak on the phone; ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing and speak in front of groups.
• Requires recognized ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
• Requires demonstrated strong analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize large amounts of information and focus quickly on the essence of an issue, as well as a strong commitment to producing measurable results. Strong business acumen is required.
• Requires ability to function in a fast-paced, high-volume, multi-faced, results-oriented work environment and to analyze issues, identify priorities, manage projects, and make decisions expeditiously.
• Requires experience in developing, directing, and managing multiple projects, as well as implementing strategic program goals.
• Requires bias for fact-based decision-making and action-oriented project management practices.
• Ability to minimize risk to the company and remove obstacles required.
• Excellent presentation and influencing skills.
• Requires recognition that the organization is a faith-based organization operating with a commitment to Christian principles.

 

 

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.