Advisor, Individual Giving

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Advisor, Individual Giving
Location: Milwaukee, Chicago
Country: United States
Deadline Date: No specific deadline indicated, apply timely.

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The American Heart Association (AHA) is a leading organization in the field of cardiovascular health and research, established over a century ago. With a mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, the AHA operates across the United States and has a significant presence in various metro markets. The organization emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to improving health outcomes for all individuals, regardless of their background. The AHA employs a large workforce dedicated to fundraising, research, and community health initiatives, and it continuously seeks to innovate and expand its impact in the health sector.

Job Overview:
The Advisor, Individual Giving position is a pivotal role within the American Heart Association's fundraising team, primarily focused on securing substantial donations of $100,000 or more. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about fostering relationships with donors and enhancing their engagement with the AHA's mission. The Advisor will work collaboratively with market staff to identify, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of prospective donors, ensuring that they are moved to their highest level of involvement. The position is home-based within the Midwest Territory, with a preference for candidates located in Chicago, IL. The Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow donor relationships, meeting personal fundraising goals, and participating in various training and development activities to enhance fundraising capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties of the Advisor include conducting a minimum of 100 face-to-face visits with donors and prospective donors each fiscal year, managing a portfolio of approximately 75 individual donors capable of making six-figure gifts. The Advisor is expected to make at least 24 qualified asks for six-figure gifts annually, both for restricted and unrestricted purposes. They will collaborate with the Mission Advancement operations team to gather project information and develop proposals for securing gifts. Additionally, the Advisor is responsible for achieving a personal fundraising goal of $1 million annually through various giving mechanisms, including cash donations, stock gifts, and family foundation support. The role also involves working closely with Field Directors to identify and solicit major gift prospects, attending and supporting regional activities, and ensuring accurate documentation of donor interactions in the CRM database. The Advisor will also participate in training activities to advance the Major and Planned Gifts efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience, along with a minimum of three years of experience in fundraising or sales, with at least one year focused on major gifts or large accounts. Experience in identifying and developing major giving opportunities that align with organizational goals is essential. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with complex donors or clients representing significant revenue or philanthropy, specifically at the six- and seven-figure levels. Strong collaborative skills and effective verbal and written communication abilities are crucial for success in this role. Additionally, candidates must be willing to travel overnight approximately 10% of the time, with an additional 60% local travel within their territory.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s Degree is required for this position, although equivalent work experience may be considered. The educational background should ideally include coursework or training relevant to fundraising, nonprofit management, or a related field that supports the responsibilities of the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of experience in fundraising or sales, with a focus on major gifts or large accounts. Candidates should have experience in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts, as well as working with complex donors or clients. A demonstrated ability to achieve fundraising goals and develop strategic donor relationships is essential.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is implied as a requirement due to the nature of the role. Additional language skills may be beneficial in enhancing communication with diverse donor populations.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position with the American Heart Association, which offers a competitive compensation package that includes a base salary, performance incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program. The AHA emphasizes work-life harmonization, providing a minimum of 16 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, increasing with seniority, along with 12 paid holidays. The organization also supports professional development through tuition assistance and access to its corporate university, HeartU. The AHA is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and workplace culture.