Remote Steward Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Leader Dogs for the Blind, an international organization based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been empowering individuals who are blind or low vision for over 85 years. We provide comprehensive guide dog services and orientation and mobility training, equipping individuals with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. Our life-changing work is provided free of charge, and we are 100% philanthropically funded. Our mission is driven by 191 dedicated team members and more than 1,000 volunteers who advocate alongside our clients to create a more equitable world. 

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance after 30 days of employment
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid disability insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit-based pay increases
• Dog friendly office

This is a remote position where candidates must reside in the Dallas, Texas vicinity.

The Manager of Personal Giving works to identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate and steward prospects and donors, primarily individuals, who have the capacity to make major gifts to Leader Dogs for the Blind.  Responsibilities will include building relationships with major donors, corporate partners, Leader Dogs for the Blind clients, Lions clubs and community outreach. 

• Strategically manages a personal portfolio of up to 150 major giving prospects and corporate partners in Texas and developing relationships in Southwest United States.
• Executes a moves management process to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective major donors and corporate partners in support of the organization.
• Maintains an active schedule of solicitations, cultivation visits, events, and stewardship activities resulting in increased donations supporting the organization.
• Utilizes prospect research to create a strategic plan for donors in portfolio including planned quarterly actions (calls, meetings, mailings, events etc.) and solicitation goals.
• Builds relationships with existing major donors and encourages giving through various vehicles (cash, Donor Advised Funds, IRA’s, stocks, etc.)
• Assists donors in evaluating gift opportunities, making recommendations that align with a donor’s giving priorities.
• Creates proposals and stewardship update reports and ensures donors receive documents in a timely manner.
• Facilitates introductions and ongoing relationships between potential and current major gift donors with members of the staff and volunteers.
• Engages in best practices (creating written solicitation strategies, documenting actions promptly and accurately using the organization’s development database and participating in regular prospect reviews).
• Collaborates with Major Gifts team members during weekly meetings, and other departments as required.
• Creates and shares presentations with groups and individuals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualified candidates will possess extensive non-profit fundraising experience and a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated success in developing and managing donor relationships.

• Highly motivated and strategically minded with documented achievements in building donor relationships and major gift fundraising.
• Demonstrated knowledge of major giving principles, code of ethics and best practices.
• Must be able to travel 25-50% of working time, maintaining an active schedule of solicitations, cultivation visits, events, and stewardship activities, and building long-term relationships with the organization.
• Ability to share client stories and convey the organization’s mission when meeting with potential donors and corporate partners.
• Proficient and comfortable leading a major donor through the entire gift cycle (from donor identification, cultivation, ask, closing gifts and ongoing stewardship). 
• Experience using database systems to track prospects.
• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines; must have the ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills along with strong interpersonal and organizational abilities.
• Exceptional ability to organize and motivate others, including administration, staff, peers, and volunteers.
• Proficient in latest version of Microsoft Office products.
• Able to travel independently as needed, including overnight out of state travel. Comfortable with air travel.
• Must be comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Must be willing to perform public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog).
• Must be available to available to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees, volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog.  This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodation may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone, and email. This position requires frequent independent local, regional, and national travel.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position titles as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer.  This means that the employment relationship may end at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason.  Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation or an accessible application format may contact HRAccessibility@leaderdog.org for assistance.