Determined to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the leading nonprofit organization providing Service Dogs to military Veterans nationwide suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma — at no financial cost to the Veteran. Founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, K9s For Warriors is committed to saving lives at both ends of the leash by primarily rescuing dogs and pairing them with Veterans in need. In order to continue the great work we’re doing, we’re looking to add a Development Manager- Major Gifts to our amazing team!
Role and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Director of Major Gifts & Foundations, the Development Manager-Major Gifts (DM) is essential to the success of K9s For Warriors' fundraising initiatives. The DM will focus on proactive relationship management, strategic communications planning, and the cultivation and solicitation of donors. This role involves developing and maintaining a diverse range of donors. In this role, the DM will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift donors acting as the primary contact between K9s For Warriors and the assigned caseload, with an emphasis on securing gifts of $25,000 and higher, increasing overall major gifts to K9s For Warriors while retaining and strengthening existing giving. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key.
The Development Manager-Major Gifts (DM) must be a collaborative team player who excels independently, with strong leadership abilities and an entrepreneurial approach. They should possess initiative, a keen eye for detail, and creativity, along with being dependable, adaptable, and resourceful. Based at the Ponte Vedra office, the DM will partner with the Director of Major Gifts & Foundations and the team to design, develop, and execute K9s For Warriors’ annual major gift strategy. Responsibilities include engaging with prospects and meeting annual fundraising targets. This role requires close collaboration with program managers and the Chief Revenue Officer to ensure that major gift and partnership initiatives align with K9s For Warriors strategic objectives and mission.
The Development Manager of Major Gifts primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Conduct research to identify potential major donors.
- Develop and implement strategies to attract new donors.
- Provide excellent customer service to donors by ensuring accessibility to staff and leadership, timely responses, high-quality interactions, and personalized communications.
- Maintain and cultivate existing partnerships and relationships.
- Collaborate with program, finance, development, education/communications, and administrative support teams to create a comprehensive portfolio of giving opportunities. This includes documenting program costs, illustrating the impact on Warriors and Rescue Dogs, outlining outcomes and shortfalls, and identifying mission advancement opportunities. Present these opportunities to donors to effectively match their interests with K9s For Warriors’ needs.
- Collaborate with the development team in creating customized proposals to secure new business.
- Manage office systems related to DM responsibilities, including donor files, tracking spreadsheets, correspondence, and gift acknowledgments, in accordance with department policies and procedures. Ensure accurate documentation of donor interactions in the K9s For Warriors donor database.
- Manage and oversee donor related third-party events and fundraisers, including volunteers and media kit coordination. Maintain and grow relationships with community stakeholders, volunteers, service organizations, and fundraising hosts to drive awareness and maximize results.
- Fundraise $1,500,000 or more annually
- Travel locally and nationally as needed.
- Perform other duties and tasks as assigned
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- 3+ years of experience in non-profit fundraising, with a focus on individual major gifts, and/or 5+ years of customer service-related experience
- Demonstrated record of personally identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new individual donors or corporate partners
- Track record of achieving measurable results in organizing and implementing strategies and plans
- Proficient in using CRM database, prospect research and wealth screening tools
- Experience writing compelling proposals
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- A valid driver’s license required
PREFERRED SKILLS
- A self-starter driven by results
- Experience in cause-related marketing campaigns and employee engagement
- Willingness to travel to meet with current and prospective donors; some overnight travel is required
- Strategist adept at planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking, and follow-through
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
- Willing and capable to work hands-on developing and executing fundraising events and other activities as needed
- Proven ability to secure individual major gifts of $25,000+
- Capital Campaign Experience
- Planned Giving experience
- Military background or veteran status
- Understanding of Military Service organizations (MSO) and Veteran Service organizations (VSO)
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field
Core Competencies
- Persuasiveness
- Planning and Organizing
- Networking
- Written and Verbal Expression
- Social Awareness
- Sociability
Monday- Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Skills Required
- 3+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience focused on individual major gifts, or 5+ years of customer service-related experience
- Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit new individual donors or corporate partners
- Proven record of achieving measurable results through organized strategies and plans
- Proficiency with CRM databases, prospect research, and wealth screening tools
- Experience writing compelling proposals
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Valid driver's license
- Experience with cause-related marketing campaigns and employee engagement
- Willingness to travel, including some overnight travel
- Ability to plan, prioritize, multitask, and follow through
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
- Ability to develop and execute fundraising events and related activities
- Proven ability to secure individual major gifts of $25,000 or more
- Capital campaign experience
- Planned giving experience
- Military background or veteran status
- Understanding of Military Service Organizations and Veteran Service Organizations
- Bachelor's degree in business, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field
What We Do
K9s For Warriors rescues and trains dogs as service dogs for military veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. It pairs the dogs with veterans at no cost and provides residential training, housing, meals, equipment, and veterinary care during the process. Its mission is to restore veterans’ confidence and independence while saving rescue dogs and raising awareness of veterans’ mental health.
