Leadership Gifts Officer 
 

Position Overview: This full-time salaried position contributes to the fulfillment of Open Arms’ mission by designing, developing and implementing our Leadership Gift Program, in a unique, highly relational culture. The Leadership Gifts Officer will work closely with the Director of Individual Giving and will have key areas of responsibility as a valued member of the External Affairs (EA) Team. This role will develop major gifts strategies, create, manage and cultivate relationships with existing and new high-level donors while also developing and executing plans for mid-level donors and new prospects. It will be key for the Leadership Gifts Officer to share the critical mission of Open Arms, make meaningful connections with donors and clearly communicate client stories and organizational needs. The person in this role is expected to energize team members and volunteers and successfully persuade prospects to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Open Arms mission.  This is a very hands-on position as Open Arms' work with donors often happens during volunteer shifts, and this position may work side by side with volunteers/donors in the kitchen, on delivery or at one of our farms.   

As with all OAM staff positions, this position is responsible for helping ensure donors, partners, volunteers, staff and all other stakeholders have an exemplary experience during all interactions with Open Arms and is expected to maintain the highest level of customer service to all guests, clients, and fellow team members. 
 

Ideal Candidate:  

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in securing significant contributions, excellent relationship-building skills, ability and desire to jump in and help across other teams, and a passion/desire to be a part of the Food is Medicine movement: 

To access the full job description please click on the link below:  

Leadership-Gifts-Officer-07-25-2024.pdf (openarmsmn.org) 

Requirements 

• Minimum 7+ years of fundraising experience, including significant experience in cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding five to six-figure gifts. 

• Exceptional hands-on relationship building experience, working with volunteers, clients and community members to increase donors and donation levels.  

• Experience in planning, leading, and managing fundraising campaigns and projects, to achieve desired outcomes, tracking and reporting on progress to management. 

• Knowledge of principles of donor cultivation process, volunteer to donor process, and building a culture of philanthropy. 

• Ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to prospects, donors, and other stakeholders. 

• Ability to ideate and develop comprehensive, customized proposals that illustrate hearing and connecting donor interests to organizational needs.  

• Proven track record in supporting organizational leadership in donor cultivation, communications, face to face solicitation meetings and events. 

• Bring a solutions-oriented approach, possibility thinking, collaboration and problem-solving ability. 

• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize conflicting needs; handle requests and projects expeditiously, proactively, and follow them through to successful completion, often with deadline pressures. 

• Outstanding communication and organizational skills with an ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion requirements.  

• Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communications skills with careful attention to details  

• Ability to consult and interact with highest levels of donors and can bring some established relationships to OAM. 

• Experience in planning and working within budgets.  

• Demonstrated ability to create, lead and motivate others to support our mission.  

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.   

• Ability to provide friendly, excellent collaborative service to internal and external constituencies.   

• Advanced ability in MS Office and Internet research applications.   

• Ability to create and contribute to a positive and supportive team environment. 

• Ability and flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.  

• Flexibility to work on two different worksites and off-site events.  

• Active Minnesota driver’s license and unrestricted for work-related driving. 

• Sensitivity and commitment to diversity and ability to work respectfully with a wide array of co-workers and members of the community.   

• A passion for the mission and values of Open Arms. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to talk and hear, and to communicate verbally and in writing in English.    

• Able to operate standard office equipment (such as telephone, computer, printer, and copy machine). 

• Able to sit or stand for extended periods of time. 

• Ability to review and reply to documents and information on computer screen as well as to use a computer and variety of software programs. 

• Ability to drive for work-related purposes. 

Reports to: Chief External Affairs Officer 

Compensation Range: $90,000- $100,000 annually  

Location: Minneapolis and St. Paul  

Hours: Full Time 

Benefits:   

This position is eligible for an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical/dental/life/ STD/LTD insurance, employee assistance program, pet insurance, commuter-transit and parking, paid Holidays, and personal time off (PTO), retirement plan with employer match program. Employee-paid vision plan, voluntary life, critical illness, hospital indemnity and accident insurance are also available.  

Open Arms of Minnesota is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees in our organization, regardless of race, gender, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, disability, or socioeconomic status. We encourage all individuals with direct or transferable experience to apply for our open positions.  

Equal Opportunity Employer