About the American Enterprise Institute
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.

About the Role
The American Enterprise Institute seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial, and goal-oriented individual who is interested in public policy to grow and manage a portfolio of major-gift donors and prospects. Reporting to the senior director of individual giving, the major gifts officer will be an essential member of AEI’s Development team, responsible for more than $3 million in annual revenue.

The Major Gifts Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of more than 50 donor households contributing more than $25,000 annually to AEI. Responsibilities may also include building AEI donor communities in assigned geographic areas. The successful candidate will develop and execute tailored strategies for each donor and prospect, including by integrating conversations about planning legacy gifts into ongoing cultivation and stewardship.

Drawing on donor relationships, prospect research, and portfolio insights, the major gifts officer will also advise the senior director of individual giving and AEI’s executive team on opportunities to strengthen donor engagement and grow major-gift support.

This role requires exceptional interpersonal, listening, writing, and oral communication skills, along with the ability to prioritize activities and execute them quickly. The ideal candidate will be creative, knowledgeable about best practices in philanthropy, naturally curious, and comfortable engaging donors on the public policy issues that interest them. An energetic and entrepreneurial spirit, a deep understanding of AEI’s mission, and the ability to thrive in AEI’s academic and collegial culture are essential.

This is an excellent position for someone who enjoys building relationships and having a direct impact on an organization committed to strengthening the free enterprise system and building a freer and safer world.

This position will be based in Washington, DC with 40% or more travel expected. Eight or more years of relevant or transferable experience are preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Nurture and cultivate long-term partnerships and relationships with current and prospective major donors, including AEI trustees.
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to the senior director of individual giving and the executive office, recommending priorities and approaches for high-potential donor relationships, including opportunities for increased giving and the timing and purpose of senior-leader involvement. Expand the portfolio of donors to be cultivated personally by AEI’s senior management.
  • Build and manage a portfolio of donors by developing and implementing strategic steps to move prospects through the major-gift cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Use various giving methods, such as current, deferred, and noncash giving.
  • Develop an annual plan of work, including specific fundraising, prospect-development, and programmatic goals, with an emphasis on meeting established standards and metrics.
  • Travel (40 percent or more of the time) to meet with donors and prospects, sometimes organizing events to involve and cultivate them.
  • Track and report all major-gift activities. Synthesize donor feedback, prospect research, and portfolio results into actionable insights and recommendations on emerging opportunities, risks, and priorities for AEI’s broader individual giving strategy. Help the Development department support AEI’s mission by engaging with colleagues, sharing experiences and ideas, and demonstrating a collegial and can-do approach.
  • Collaborate frequently with AEI scholars and researchers to stay abreast of current issues and work that may interest donors. Build relationships to better understand scholars’ research and match it to donors’ interests.
  • Synthesize complex research into clear opportunities for donor investment. (Success with securing donors’ support for ideas and long-term research is essential.)
  • Collaborate across AEI to coordinate fundraising initiatives and event planning.
  • Work with AEI scholars and staff to identify funding needs across the Institute to formulate proposals and steward gifts.
  • Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of AEI’s work.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

  • The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
  • The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
  • The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
  • Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree;
  • Eight or more years of relevant experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, or a related field, preferably with an emphasis on soliciting and cultivating close relationships with individuals;
  • An eagerness to delve into AEI’s research and a demonstrated, comprehensive understanding of public policy issues and current events that interest donors;
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound fundraising judgment, translate donor and portfolio information into strategic recommendations, and communicate those recommendations clearly and constructively to senior leaders;
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;
  • Fundraising and donor networking experience in the Southern California region is preferred;
  • The ability to independently prioritize tasks, sometimes in consultation with senior leadership; and
  • Flexibility and adaptability.

Benefits
AEI offers generous benefits, including paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate’s full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $125,000–$180,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.

How to Apply
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter detailing your interest in the mission of AEI and why you’re a good fit for the role
  • Resume
  • A writing sample related to development, such as a donor solicitation letter, donor strategy memorandum, or other relevant communications you’ve authored. Please remove confidential donor and organizational information.=

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Director of Talent Intelligence at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

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