Major Gifts Officer (New York Area)

About itrek

itrek launched in 2011 with a mission to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. More than 25,000 graduate students representing 130 nationalities from schools in the U.S., Canada and Europe have traveled to Israel through itrek. Over the last two years, itrek has expanded beyond graduate school students by piloting Launchpad, a program that connects with mission aligned leaders and organizations to create Israel Treks for their influential peers and members. In July 2024, Schusterman Family Philanthropies REALITY journeys was brought under itrek. REALITY will continue to bring leaders from diverse backgrounds and sectors on formative learning journeys to Israel.

About itrek
itrek launched in 2011 with a mission to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. More than 25,000 graduate students representing 130 nationalities from schools in the U.S., Canada and Europe have traveled to Israel through itrek. Over the last two years, itrek has expanded beyond graduate school students by piloting Launchpad, a program that connects with mission aligned leaders and organizations to create Israel Treks for their influential peers and members. In July 2024, Schusterman Family Philanthropies REALITY journeys was brought under itrek. REALITY will continue to bring leaders from diverse backgrounds and sectors on formative learning journeys to Israel.

Position Overview
itrek is expanding beyond its strong history of institutional giving to build a robust individual donor base.  To drive this growth forward, itrek is in search of a dynamic and seasoned Major Gifts Officer (MGO). Currently, itrek generates upwards of $11M annually, with over $2M sourced from individual contributors. The MGO will join itrek at an exciting time when the organization is raising the financial resources to support a budget of more than $15M.

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will join a four-person Development Team to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, focusing on four and five-figure gifts. With main offices in New York City and Tel Aviv, the MGO will be essential in expanding itrek’s supporter network, particularly in the tri-state area. They will develop cultivation and solicitation strategies, manage a donor portfolio, and support the CEO and CGO with their donor accounts. Responsibilities also include planning small-scale donor events. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, collaborative, and goal-oriented fundraiser with experience working with senior professionals and board members. 

Primary Responsibilities

Individual Major Giving, Stewardship & Strategy (70%)

• In collaboration with the CGO, CEO and Board, design and implement an effective regional major gift donor program, including setting goals and strategies to expand, cultivate, solicit, and steward the donor base
• Identify, develop, and maintain a personal portfolio of major donors through prospecting, cultivation, direct solicitations, and stewardship. (Note: itrek defines a major donor as a contribution of $5k and above)
• Grow the individual giving function by expanding upon itrek’s existing portfolio in New York and surrounding areas, deepening key relationships, and meeting monthly and quarterly benchmarks. 
• Existing portfolio includes approximately $500,000 from 75 supporters and prospects 
• Establish and maintain ongoing donor and prospect relationships by phone/Zoom, written communication, and personal contact; create and execute personalized communications and engagement plans for each donor and prospect
• Assist the CEO, CGO, Board, and itrek team members with their portfolios and solicitations (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic thought partnership, and help with donor communications) 
• Identify leadership engagement opportunities for donors and lay leaders, including itrek alumni and Advisory Board members.
• Work with development colleagues to screen and prepare profiles of current and prospective donors
• Work with the Development Team to refine research, data entry, and acknowledgment processes as needed; track and report progress in Salesforce using specific metrics

Fundraising Events (25%)

• Execute small-scale fundraising and cultivation events in key communities
• Implement regional industry-specific events for alumni and prospective/current donors

Development Team Re