Talent Market

Talent Market is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote liberty by providing talent for critical roles within the free-market nonprofit sector

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Major Gifts Officer – Acton Institute – Grand Rapids, MI

March 31, 2022

Acton InstituteAbout the Acton Institute

For over thirty years the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty has promoted a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles. We are an ecumenical, nonprofit research organization that promotes the benefits of free enterprise and the interdependence of moral principles and true freedom to religious communities, business people, students, and educators. With an international scope, Acton manages a robust publishing and events outreach that argues for a moral foundation to the market economy. Wholly independent, the nonpartisan Institute works across many faith traditions including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Our intellectual research, teaching, and popularization at the intersection of faith and economics, morality and markets, and religious and liberty is unique in the liberty movement as is our reach among the religiously-minded. 

The institute recently hired a new Director of Advancement, Kevin Augustyn, who is looking to grow the team and its efficiency and effectiveness in raising private philanthropic funds to support the work of the institute. 

About the Role

The Acton Institute is looking for a Major Gifts Officer to assist in raising private philanthropic funds to advance their mission. This individual will expand upon existing efforts and work closely with the Director of Advancement, the External Relations Officers, and the entire advancement team. They will seek to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and foundation prospects. The ideal candidate will have at least three years of previous fundraising experience as well as excellent communication skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a clear understanding of Acton’s mission and vision. This is a full-time position located in Grand Rapids, MI. Approximately 35-40% travel throughout the US and internationally is required.  

Responsibilities 

  • Manage a major donor portfolio (estimated 100-125 individual and foundation prospects and donors) in various stages of the giving cycle by cultivating relationships through frequent communication, keeping them informed of Acton’s work and the impact of their contributions
  • Identify and qualify prospects, cultivate ongoing donor relationships, solicit funds, and steward donors, cycling through the portfolio by implementing strategic moves management 
  • Conduct approximately 10-15 major donor meetings monthly to present on Acton’s mission and ongoing projects to those within portfolio and make approximately 5 solicitations monthly 
  • Serve as a secondary giving officer for the President by helping plan, develop, and execute strategic presentations, proposals, and other collateral for donor meetings
  • Work closely with the foundation relations team on strategy, proposals, and reporting for foundations within the portfolio
  • Collaborate with external relations team to ensure invitations to each potential major donor 
  • Travel to donor-centric events involving the cultivation and stewardship of current donors and the identification and qualification of prospective donors
  • Prospect donors using various tools for upcoming events or meetings
  • Assist with strategy and execution of small-scale campaigns for specific projects
  • Produce reports following donor meetings 
  • Ensure timely acknowledgment of contributions and recognition of donors  
  • Contribute to the growth of various giving circles  
  • Establish metrics and use data to track, analyze, and prepare monthly reports to analyze progress and subsequently determine necessary actions to maximize productivity  
  • Communicate with other departments to gather data necessary for meetings and reports
  • Record and save actions in the CRM database  
  • Assist with special projects as necessary 
  • Participate in other events and advancement activities as needed 
  • Actively pursue professional development

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of experience in fundraising and direct personal solicitation of funds, preferably in major gifts
  • Experience identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospective and current donors with a demonstrated track record of attracting major contributions
  • Strong alignment with the institute’s mission and culture, possessing the desire and ability to promote a free and virtuous society
  • Be an interesting and interested person with a commitment to lifelong learning and passion for the work of the institute
  • Have excellent relationship building skills and the ability to give persuasive presentations to achieve desired fundraising results
  • Demonstrate professional decorum at all times
  • Treat coworkers and all Acton guests and personnel with respect and work as a team player with all members of the organization
  • Strong communication skills both oral and written
  • Be flexible, forthright, ambitious, comfortable in a fast-paced setting, thoughtful, and creative in achieving results
  • Have the ability to travel approximately 35-40% of the time, US and international
  • Experience with Wealth Engine, Foundation Database Online, and/or other CRM’s is a strong plus
  • Bachelors degree is preferred but not required

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter detailing your interest in the Acton Institute, how your experience has prepared you for this position, and your salary requirements
  • Résumé

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

Questions can be directed to Lydia Ocampo, Network Engagement Specialist, who is assisting with the search: [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. 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 free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.

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About Us

Claire Kittle Dixon

Claire Kittle Dixon
Executive Director
Claire has more than a decade of experience in the talent development field. She…
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Katelynn Barbosa
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Katelynn started her career in the Koch Associate Program and then litigated at the Institute for Justice…
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Katy Gambella
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Stephanie Keaveney
Network Engagement Manager
Stephanie’s career started at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal…
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Wait, You’re a Nonprofit?

Talent Market is a nonprofit. We’ll wait here while that sinks in. We know it’s a crazy concept, but it’s been working like a charm since 2009.

Talent Market’s mission is to promote liberty by providing talent for critical roles within the free-market nonprofit sector.

We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise. (We do not work in politics, nor do we work with organizations that address social issues.) Talent Market believes that the road to prosperity is paved with freedom and that the success of our movement hinges on the talent that will take us there.

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