Major Gifts Officer - West Coast

About A4TE and A4TE Education Fund

Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America. Leveraging decades of experience on the frontlines of power, we shift government and society towards a future where we are no less than equal. Founded in 2024, A4TE was formed through a merger by two national trans advocacy organizations and is of, for, and by the trans community. Advocates for Trans Equality (501c4) and Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund (501c3) focus its efforts on political and legal advocacy, public education, and community engagement. The A4TE team catalyzes progress from the inside out and will settle for nothing less than equality for trans people in America. Advocates for Trans Equality and A4TE Equality Education Fund is incorporated in Washington, DC with offices in D.C. and New York and employs more than 50 dedicated staff who share office space and work across the country.

Summary

A4TE and A4TE Education Fund seek an experienced and motivated Major Gifts Officer – West Coast who is eager to contribute their talents and skills to a high growth organization at a critical time for transgender rights. The position will primarily cultivate and manage donor relationships, communications, events, and solicitation plans. The successful candidate will be a full-time state resident in California and be preferably located in either Los Angeles or San Francisco.

The Major Gifts Officer – West Coast will join a growing Development Department to build and sustain individual giving among A4TE/A4TE Education Fund’s major donors also known as Defenders of Trans Equality. The position will grow a robust major gifts program primarily in the state of California, but includes Alaska, Hawaii, and states west of the Rocky Mountains (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). The Major Gifts Officer – West Coast will specifically engage current and lapsed major donors and increase major donor revenue by identifying, qualifying, and soliciting prospects, cultivating prospects from current Annual Fund supporters, as well as new sources.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a growing portfolio of 150-200 major donors and prospects with a focus on building strong, sustainable relationships and an eye toward increasing major gifts revenue. This portfolio consists of active and prospective major donors.
• Identify and research donor leads and develop major donor profiles that align with A4TE/A4TE Education Fund’s mission and programs.
• Design and execute a tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategy for each assigned prospective and active Defenders of Trans Equality donor that aligns with their interests and their giving potential.
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings, in person when possible, with prospective and active Defenders of Trans Equality donors. Identify and prepare staff representatives for donor meetings.
• Identify and pursue donor prospects within the region to participate in key giving programs including A4TE/A4TE Education Fund’s planned giving program and multi-year giving program (Bright Futures Fund); and to cultivate, solicit, and steward this group of donors located in the West region.
• Develop a robust engagement strategy for all Defenders of Trans Equality donors in close collaboration with the Associate Director of Development and Individual Giving Officer.
• Work with appropriate staff in the Advancement vertical to plan and execute donor-related activities, such as webinars, house parties, and larger receptions for prospective and active major donors in the region highlighting A4TE leadership and experts, clients, programs, and accomplishments.
• Engage donors to participate in A4TE/A4TE Education Fund events as appropriate by attending, sharing event information on social media and with friends, and serving on host committees.
• Draft scripts, talking points, and other kinds of staff-related materials to be used for various donor interactions.
• Develop donor communications focused on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• In partnership with the Associate Director of Development and Individual Giving Officer, draft major gift appeals, mid-year and year-end impact reports, and other timely updates for Defenders of Trans Equality major donors.
• Provide timely and accurate acknowledgement of major gifts, including letters, phone calls, or other tailored approaches for the donor.
• Track and maintain donor records in the database, including interactions, philanthropic interests, and other pertinent information for cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Actively identify and represent A4TE/A4TE Education Fund at key community events, including networking hours, receptions, galas, sector gatherings, and related functions.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of A4TE/A4TE Education Fund’s programs and activities, including external news and events that relate to the organization’s mission and work.
• Partner with the Annual Fund Officer to identify and develop pipeline strategies among donors who currently are part of the annual fund portfolio.
• Assist in the strategy and execution of campaigns tied to hallmark events, such as Trans Day of Visibility, Pride Month, A4TE’s anniversary, and year-end giving.
• Assist the Associate Director of Development with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Full-time California state resident to begin upon first date of employment and to be continuously maintained throughout the duration of position.
• Between 3 to 5 years of professional experience in a fundraising role or comparable experience in either sales or marketing. Direct fundraising experience should demonstrate work with individual donors in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual gifts.
• Demonstrable experience successfully soliciting and managing individual major donors or the equivalent with gifts valued at $1,000+.
• Passionate about A4TE/A4TE Education Fund and its mission.
• Familiarity with current issues pertaining to the trans community, LGBTQI+ rights, gender justice, civil rights, civil liberties, and nondiscrimination among others.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to make compelling presentations to donors, board members, and staff among others.
• Excellent writing and editing skills to include experience with drafting donor appeals, donor acquisition/retention strategies, and preparation of related materials.
• Highly organized with the ability to create and maintain files and records with accurate, relevant, and timely information.
• Strong sense of professional integrity, trustworthiness, judgement, and discretion.
• Ability to manage and meet deadlines and contribute to department strategy and planning.
• An active willingness to solicit and receive feedback from stakeholders (donors, managers, colleagues, and community members) in service of continuous learning and improvement.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Ability to travel in the United States and flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for occasional donor and fundraising-related events.
• A valid driver’s license in good standing.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Direct fundraising experience in a national non-profit setting is desirable, particularly in legal and/or political advocacy.
• Experience with past or current LGBTQI+ fundraising efforts in either Los Angeles or San Francisco.
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another second language is desired.

Special Notes

This is a remote position with a state residency requirement. The successful candidate must be a continuous full-time California state resident with a strong preference for either Los Angeles or San Francisco. Location near major airport is required. Periodic travel within the West region to include the states of Alaksa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Travel outside of the region may be occasional but limited.