Major Gifts Officer

Title: Major Gifts Officer

Department: Development

This role reports to: Director of Philanthropy

Location: Candidates must be based in a state where The Bail Project currently operates which includes the following: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IN, IL, KY, MD, MO, MT, NY, NC, OH, OK, TX, PA, SC, WA

About The Bail Project

The Problem

There is no place in the criminal legal system where money more clearly buys justice than bail. People who can’t afford bail remain in jail before trial, while those with money buy their liberty. Tying freedom to financial ability upends the presumption of innocence, tears lives apart, and perpetuates racial and economic disparities. It is also a key driver of mass incarceration. Each year, an estimated 2.5 million people sit in jail cells across America because they cannot afford bail.

The Response

The Bail Project is a national nonprofit that provides free bail assistance and pretrial support to thousands of low-income people every year. We are on a mission to combat mass incarceration and demonstrate that a more humane, equitable, and effective pretrial system is possible.

The Model

The Bail Project uses a national revolving bail fund to pay bail for individuals who are legally presumed innocent, and whom a judge has deemed eligible for release. We then provide court reminders, transportation, and work with local partner organizations to connect our clients with voluntary social services and community-based programs. We call this model Community Release with Support, and it has proven highly effective in helping people make their court dates. As our clients’ cases close, bail comes back into the fund where it is recycled to help additional people. The goal of The Bail Project is to work ourselves out of a job by gathering human stories and data from our ground work to advance legislative and policy change to end cash bail and invest in Community Release with Support (AfterCashBail.org).

The Team

We are a community of advocates committed to ending mass incarceration and advancing racial and economic justice. Our organization consists of a central support hub and a growing network of client advocates or “Bail Disruptors” who work in their local communities to provide bail assistance and help advance advocacy efforts on the ground.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic Major Gifts Officer who is passionate about building relationships with donors in order to make lasting change in the criminal legal system. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Major Gifts Officer will manage an individual donor portfolio at the major to leadership gift level (25,000 and above). As a member of The Bail Project’s Development Team, this position will play an integral role in making the case for pretrial reform to diverse donor audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of up to 150 donors to move donors towards solicitation and closure, maintaining a balance between qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Play lead role in soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 and above
• Analyze data and information to drive strategic development of a donor portfolio
• Create individualized strategic and financial goals for each donor or prospect based on their history of giving, relationship to the organization and knowledge of the donor’s potential
• Track and report on portfolio activity and goals including number of donor meetings and meaningful, personalized donor contacts as well as dollars raised
• Ensure that all donor information is up to date in the CRM system (Salesforce)
• Stay continuously informed and up to date on criminal justice reform issues
• Develop talking points to garner support and build understanding among supporters
• Design and manage donor events, as needed
• Support other fundraising activities, as needed
• Additional duties as assigned by the Director of Philanthropy
  
  

Qualifications

You are driven, highly organized, and have a deep commitment to The Bail Project’s mission to eliminate race and wealth-based disparities in the criminal legal system. Applicants must be willing to work independently as well as in collaborative teams. A sense of humor, innovative spirit, and willingness to adapt to change are essential. This work requires the ability to work with people who have been directly impacted by the carceral system, including folks who have prior records.

To excel in this role, you likely bring the following:

• Substantial background in fundraising, including 5+ years of direct experience with personal solicitations of major donors and prospects (required)
• Demonstrated success in personal cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and closing of leadership gifts at the six-figure level (required)
• Ability to understand and speak compellingly about The Bail Project’s work and criminal justice reform
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to create donor correspondences, donor briefings, solicitation proposals, and pledge documents
• Sound judgment in maintaining donor confidentiality
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM system (preferred)
• Ability to think strategically, engage people with a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints, and work meticulously with close attention to detail
• Experience working with fundraising databases, competency in Google Workspace and Zoom
  
  

We encourage individuals to apply even if they do not have all of the desired qualifications.

Currently this role would perform most of their work from home. The Bail Project will provide equipment to support work from home but staff must provide their own reliable internet access.

This position will require some in-person work, including travel.

This is a full-time, exempt, in-unit position. The Bail Project offers benefit programs including competitive Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Parental Leave, a generous PTO and Sick Leave policy, and a 401(k) plan.

How To Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter and a relevant writing sample (e.g., case for support, funding proposal). In the cover letter, please address the following:

• Why do you want to work for The Bail Project?
• Please share 2-3 experiences that highlight your experience in major gifts fundraising and why you would be a strong candidate for the Major Gifts Officer position.
  
  

No faxes, emails or phone calls please. Applicants will be notified regarding whether or not they have been selected for an interview. Applications without cover letters or writing samples will not be processed.

The Bail Project is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and actively seeks the candidacy of people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ people and formerly incarcerated individuals. We are committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $110,000

Closing Date: August 11, 2024

The Bail Project utilizes the E-Verify in states where required by law. To learn more about E-Verify you can call 1-800-255-7688 or visit their website. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Homeland Security.