About CEI
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) is a public policy organization dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. We champion markets as the premier instrument of voluntary exchange, and we work to protect them by developing innovative strategies to reform the regulatory process, repeal burdensome regulations, and roll back programs that stifle consumer choice, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.

We are on a mission to reform America’s unaccountable regulatory state. Our vision is a society thriving without unnecessary government burdens, where property rights are secure, and Americans are free to prosper.

Throughout the organization’s 41-year history, CEI has addressed such pressing issues as regulatory and administrative law reform, health care and health technology, labor and employment policy, banking and financial regulation, the regulation of energy production and use, environmental protection, antitrust and competition policy, technology and telecommunications policy, transportation, and consumer product regulation.

Founded in 1984, CEI was among the first organizations in the liberty movement to combine the serious scholarship of traditional think tanks with the aggressive advocacy of activist organizations, employing a full-service approach to advance pro-market public policy solutions. We publish original analysis that makes the case for reform and then use that intellectual ammunition to craft advocacy campaigns to change minds and reform policy. CEI also has an in-house litigation team that initiates lawsuits to challenge the constitutionality of dubious statutes and the legality of onerous regulations.

Culture matters; CEI is a feisty organization led by a forward-thinking President/CEO. Members of the Philanthropy Department operate in a horizontal team structure with an emphasis on accountability to one another. They work hard, have a good sense of humor, enjoy life, and are intensely dedicated to an upward trajectory for the organization.

About the Role
CEI seeks a Major Gifts Officer to develop a portfolio of major donors. The role is most suitable for an individual with five or more years of experience in fundraising, sales or a similar field. Flexibility, team cooperation, an ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep attention to detail are all essential.

CEI’s offices are located in downtown Washington, D.C. While remote employees will be considered, CEI has a strong preference for candidates in the DC area. There is opportunity for growth in this position, with respect to both additional responsibilities and greater autonomy in work. And CEI often prefers to hire for new positions from within the organization. This role will report to the Vice President of Philanthropy who oversees the development department.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gifts donors and prospects, utilizing Moves Management and other relationship building techniques
  • Actively identify and research new donor prospects, and craft individualized outreach and cultivations plans for prospective donors
  • Maintain strong records through frequent updates to donor files in CEI’s Salesforce database
  • Craft personalized communication and engagement plans for each donor and prospective donors
  • Collaborate with team to identify best practices for stewardship
  • Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Five or more years of experience in fundraising, sales, or a similar field
  • Experience and demonstrated success in donor cultivation and stewardship
  • Appreciation for confidentiality
  • Willingness to travel up to 50 percent of the time, including at least 4 trips to the DC office per year
  • Solid understanding of the public policy process
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to multitask and manage multiple projects at once
  • Keen eye for detail
  • Eagerness to work as part of a team and assist with additional tasks as needed
  • Experience with Salesforce is preferred

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Salary commensurate with experience: 100k- 130K
  • This role is eligible for a quarterly team target-based bonus. Additionally, the role may be considered for a mid-year performance bonus in recognition of exceptional individual contributions.
  • This position includes CEI’s comprehensive benefits package, with CEI covering most health, dental, and vision premiums, and fully covering life, short- and long-term disability insurance. Additional benefits include a 403(b) plan with limited matching, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and approximately 20 days of accrued PTO annually.

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

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to CEI’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific issue, case, or policy area that resonates with you.
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

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

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach 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.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.