Advisor, Individual Giving

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Advisor, Individual Giving
Location: 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 dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, with a mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Established over a century ago, the AHA has grown to become a trusted leader in cardiovascular and brain health, operating across the United States and beyond. The organization emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to ensuring that its workforce reflects the communities it serves. The AHA offers a range of resources for employee development and well-being, including Heart U, its corporate university, and various employee assistance programs. With a focus on work-life harmonization, the AHA strives to create a supportive environment for its employees, encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to the organization's mission.

Job Overview:
The Advisor, Individual Giving position is a critical role within the American Heart Association's fundraising team, primarily focused on securing significant donations of $100,000 or more. This role involves cultivating relationships with current and prospective donors, working collaboratively with market staff to enhance donor engagement, and identifying new fundraising opportunities. The Advisor will manage a portfolio of approximately 75 individual donors, aiming to deepen their commitment to the AHA's mission. The position requires a proactive approach to fundraising, including making at least 24 qualified asks for six-figure gifts annually and developing tailored strategies for donor engagement. The Advisor will also be responsible for meeting an annual fundraising goal of $1 million through various giving mechanisms, including cash donations, stock gifts, and deferred giving. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the community and have a strong background in fundraising or sales.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Advisor, Individual Giving include:

• Conducting a minimum of 100 face-to-face visits with donors and prospective donors each fiscal year to build and maintain relationships.
• Making at least 24 qualified asks for six-figure gifts annually for both restricted and unrestricted purposes.
• Developing and implementing individual strategies for each donor and prospect in the portfolio to foster growth in relationships.
• Collaborating with the Mission Advancement operations team to gather necessary project information and create compelling proposals for securing gifts.
• Meeting personal fundraising goals of $1 million annually through diverse giving methods.
• Working closely with Field Directors to identify and cultivate major gift prospects for field events and initiatives.
• Documenting plans, opportunities, and interactions in the CRM database to ensure accurate donor information.
• Reporting on activity, trends, and results to the Region SVP Mission Advancement and other internal stakeholders on a monthly basis.
• Participating in training and collaborating with team members to enhance Major and Planned Gifts efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Advisor, Individual Giving position must possess the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
• A minimum of three years of experience in fundraising or sales, with at least one year focused on major gifts or large accounts.
• Proven experience in identifying and developing major giving opportunities that align with organizational goals.
• A minimum of two years of experience working with complex donors or clients contributing $100,000 or more.
• Strong collaborative skills to work effectively with staff, prospects, volunteers, and donors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel overnight approximately 10% of the time, with an additional 60% local travel within the territory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience. This foundational education is essential for understanding the complexities of fundraising and donor engagement, as well as for developing the necessary skills to succeed in this role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of experience in fundraising or sales, with a specific focus on major gifts or large accounts. This experience should include a proven track record of identifying and developing major giving opportunities, as well as a demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit donations from complex donors. Candidates should also have experience in closing sales or fundraising deals, particularly at the six- and seven-figure levels.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, strong verbal and written communication skills in English are essential for this role. Additional language skills may be beneficial in engaging with a diverse donor base, but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary and performance-based incentives. The AHA provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, as well as a robust retirement program with employer matching. Employees are also entitled to a minimum of 16 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, increasing with seniority, and 12 paid holidays. The AHA supports professional development through tuition assistance and offers various employee resource groups and mentoring programs. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees feel valued and supported.