Major Gift Manager

Do you enjoy philanthropy and finding ways to help donors create a better world through giving opportunities that protect the natural resources and communities in our Long Island Sound region? Save the Sound is seeking a full-time major gift manager, based in our New Haven or Larchmont office, to join our team!

WHO WE ARE:

For over 50 years, Save the Sound has been at the forefront of environmental action throughout the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut, Westchester County, New York City, and Long Island. We build resilient communities while fighting climate change, saving endangered lands, protecting the Sound, and restoring its rivers and coastlines. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands-on volunteer efforts. We are currently in the final year of the Sound Future Campaign, a successful $12 Million capacity building campaign to support our strategic plan goals.

Visit to learn more about our mission, vision, and programs.

POSITION SUMMARY

The ideal candidate will be a passionate, highly organized, fundraising professional who is excited to expand on our proven record in building relationships and securing major gifts. The major gift manager is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors. In particular, they will work with the major gifts team to: a) develop organizational goals for major donor revenue; b) act as primary relationship manager for current and potential individual donors who give annual donations of $1,000 to $50,000 to reach or exceed annual fundraising goals; c) strategically develop and execute cultivation and stewardship plans for donors and new prospects; and d) establish personal benchmarks for and report regularly on donor phone calls, meetings, and other quality contacts. They will also work with development and program staff and the Board of Directors Development Committee to strategize, plan, prepare, and implement donor cultivation and stewardship events.

This position reports to the Executive Vice President of Philanthropy and will be based in our New Haven or Larchmont office, with frequent travel for donor visits and events throughout our region, primarily in Connecticut and Long Island but also in Westchester County and New York City. Availability to work evening and weekend events is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Donor Relationship Management Recommend, develop, and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies designed to engage prospective donors in ways that encourage their philanthropic investment:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans including preparing written updates and proposals.
• Conduct donor visits, calls, and outreach to build long-term relationships.

• Collaborate with senior leadership, board members, and program staff on donor engagement and gift solicitations.

New Donor Relationship Development

• Identify, research, and qualify new major gift prospects.
• Develop strategies to increase donor support and engagement.

Stewardship and Cultivation of donors and prospects:

• Develop and plan strategic fundraising and friend-raising events to cultivate prospects.
• Prepare donor updates, proposals, reports, and other fundraising materials.
• Acknowledge and recognize donors in a timely manner
• Support major donor communications, appeals, and stewardship initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS

We are looking for an individual with a high level of energy and enthusiasm for Save the Sound’s mission, excellent writing and presentation skills, and the sensitivity to preserve confidentiality appropriately.

• Five or more years of relevant major donor fundraising experience,

• Demonstrated success securing and growing significant individual gifts.
• Excellent and effective communications skills, written and oral, to convey the organization’s needs, strengths, and funding opportunities to donors through letters, appeals, proposals and written impact reports.

• Interest and ability to build meaningful, authentic relationships with donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and superb attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as a team player.

• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems; Blackbaud experience is a plus.
• Willingness to frequently travel throughout the region. Applicants must have access to a car and a current driver’s license.

TERMS & COMPENSATION

This is an at-will full-time, salaried, exempt position, with a salary range between $85,000 and $105,000, commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after one year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package and opportunities for professional development.

This position is contingent upon the continued level and availability of funding for work organizationally. Save the Sound reserves the right to modify or terminate employment if funding is reduced or unavailable.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, list of references and two relevant writing samples to the posting on our jobs page. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will be accepted starting immediately until the position is filled.

We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Our hiring process can take from 7 to 10 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.

Additional Details Common to All Positions:

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity - Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Work Authorization Requirement - Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment. Save the Sound participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;
• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public;
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents

Hybrid Work Arrangements - Save the Sound currently has a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 2 days per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed-to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance, or other factors.