West Coast Major Gifts Officer

Bend the Arc is building a multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies across the country who are rising up to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism. We’re investing in systems that keep our communities safe and divesting from systems that uphold white supremacy. We organize, advocate, tell stories, and develop the leaders that we need to finally build a true multiracial democracy in America. And we’re fighting for the joyful future we deserve: one where Black liberation is realized and where all of us — within and beyond our Jewish community — are safe and thriving.

The Bend the Arc family of organizations consists of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, our 501(c)(4) organizing and advocacy arm; Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC, the first and only Jewish PAC to advocate exclusively for progressive policies in the U.S.; and Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, our 501(c)(3) education and leadership arm. We are proud to be a Union shop and to be working with the Non-profit Employees Union (NPEU) toward finalizing a Collective Bargaining Agreement and achieving our goals.

Headquartered in New York City, we have remote staff nationwide, along with a network of staffed chapters, volunteer-led local groups, and affiliates organizing across the country.

The Development department is a six-person team responsible for revenue generation for Bend the Arc’s family of organizations, and raises between $4-5MM annually from individuals and institutions. The Major Gifts Officer is a critical member of the team, and is responsible for stewarding major donors and prospects of $2,500 and above, with a regional focus primarily on donors residing in major West Coast cities. The ideal candidate will be a relational, strategic, and data-informed frontline fundraiser, an enthusiastic and persuasive advocate of Bend the Arc’s mission and programs, and a natural connector of people and their interests and passions.

The Major Gifts Officer works closely with the Development team, the CEO and the Executive Team, the Executive Coordinator, and the Assistant Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs to create, implement, and oversee a comprehensive stewardship program for those donors, including prospecting, annual revenue projections and multiple opportunities for engagement.

Create and implement a regionally specific stewardship program and solicitation strategies as informed by varied culture and relationship history for a portfolio of individual donors giving $2,500+ annually as well as prospects

Gain and maintain fluency on Bend the Arc’s work, the ecosystems in which we move, and the time, place, and conditions under which we operate; stay up to date on organizational activities

Responsible for maintaining up-to-date and accurate data to track performance and management of their portfolio, including donor correspondence, meeting notes, and donor profile information (NOTE: our database is currently Raiser’s Edge NXT)

Develop strategy with and prepare solicitors prior to and following meetings and events

Conduct donor research, prepare donor packets for meetings, and gather and maintain relevant and timely donor collateral materials

Plan regional travel to meet with donors and run donor events as needed

Work with the CEO’s Executive Coordinator to schedule meetings, travel, and draft personalized updates and other correspondence to donors and prospects

Increase retention rates and maximize support from current donors by creating and implementing donor engagement plans for donors and prospects including individual meetings, events, donor briefing calls, and the like

Plan and own logistics of creating engaging donor and prospect events

Identify, prioritize, and cultivate potential new individual major donors

Provide support to the Development team on any programs or special events

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 2 of those years working directly with major donors

Knowledge of and familiarity with some or all of the multiple ecosystems and contexts in which this position will work, e.g. the Jewish social justice ecosystem, the national progressive movement, the culture of the West Coast and surrounding states, and networks of high net-worth donors

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experienced storyteller

Strong interpersonal skills and relationship management experience

Ability to initiate and manage multiple complex projects and work effectively in a results-oriented team environment and meet established deadlines

Meticulous attention to detail

Experience cultivating donors and moving them up a ladder of engagement

Experience fundraising in an organization with a 501(c)3, 501(c)4, and political action committee (PAC), or knowledge of the distinctions between these entities strongly preferred

Proficiency in Google platforms and ability to learn new systems

Experience working with development databases, preferably Raiser’s Edge

Ability to work evenings or on weekends based on need

Ability to regularly conduct a high volume of time-sensitive phone outreach to donors

Experience with prospecting and planned giving strategies are a plus

Experience planning donor and solicitation events preferred

Staff Wide:

Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and anti-oppression practices, and ability to bring this orientation into all areas of the work, internally and externally

Developed racial equity praxis (analysis and skill) that can be applied to day to day work

Resilience and self-awareness to navigate power, responsibility and experience mindfully

Values and is open to giving and receiving feedback.

Communicates effectively, honestly, and considerately

Works collaboratively and considerately with colleagues, within and across teams, to achieve goals and objectives

Completes administrative responsibilities in a timely manner