About the Organization
The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

About the Position
The Cato Institute is seeking a Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to drive fundraising revenue, cultivate relationships with new and existing Cato Sponsors, move and manage prospects through the major gifts pipeline, and retain a portfolio of Sponsors across the United States.
The Major Gifts Officer will report directly to the Executive Director of Development. This position requires travel (up to 70% of your time will be on the road meeting with Sponsors and attending events) and occasional work on weekends and evenings.
Your primary responsibility will be to secure funds to support the Cato Institute’s work by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new major and mid-level Sponsors, and by managing a group of Sponsor accounts.  As a Major Gifts Officer, you will help Sponsors fulfill their passions and interests and make a huge positive impact through their gifts to the Cato Institute. This position is based in the Cato Institute’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., but for exceptional candidates it can be a virtual position.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and manage a caseload of Sponsors interested in Cato’s mission. While a portion of the Major Gifts Officer’s portfolio will be existing Sponsors, this role will be primarily focused on new-donor development.
• Create moves-management plans for engaging and soliciting each donor and execute plans in a timely manner.
• Coordinate and participate in Sponsor acquisition opportunities and events, including networking events and Cato-sponsored events.
• Work with departments across the Institute to secure appropriate project information and create offers, proposals, and asks that resonate with Sponsors.
• Assist the President and Executive Director of Development in cultivating and seeking donations from Sponsors.
• Perform other Sponsor development activities as may be required.

Requirements

• Ability to identify and qualify new major- and mid-level donors with interest in Cato’s work
• Ability to create and initiate personal contact and make donation requests that match the Sponsor’s interests, motivations, giving patterns, and preferences
• Ability to successfully solicit gifts and to retain and upgrade assigned Sponsor accounts
• Ability to write effective Sponsor offers, proposals, and requests
• Ability to manage projects and meet deadlines while adhering to the policies of the organization, working collaboratively with colleagues, and promoting the mission, goals, and values of the Cato Institute

Qualifications
The successful candidate will be passionate about the Cato Institute’s mission, will be entrepreneurial, and will have the ability to work independently. The candidate should also have:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in fundraising or sales, with direct donor or customer interaction
• A four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
• A high-level of interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• The willingness to travel for Sponsor meetings and networking events – up to 70%
• A belief in the mission of the Cato Institute and the ability to articulate that mission to others

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

• Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your interest in the position and the mission of the Cato Institute

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

Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Network Engagement Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected]

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 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.