Cool Careers:  Development Officer of Major Gifts for  
            Southeastern Pennsylvania's United Way

By: Stephanie Bolmer

The United Way is a national network of almost 1,300 organizations, and
they have a clear mission:  “To improve lives by mobilizing the caring
power of communities.”  They do this
by focusing on three essential areas
of everyone’s life:  education, income,
and health.  There are so many people
who have to be involved to actually
improve a community—in fact, their
belief is that we are all connected,
and “when we reach out a hand to
one, we influence the condition of
all.”

In order to make sure that that
influence is one which impacts
people in a positive way, it takes a lot
of work—and a lot of money.  And
that is where Annette Jeffrey comes in.  Annette is Development Officer
of Major Gifts with the United Way of Philadelphia.  It’s her job to make
sure that people are donating funds to be used in all of the various aspects
of United Way’s work.  She explains that United Way has “a unique
opportunity to affect change in communities” because of their size and
reputation.  They have been around since 1887, and as such a well-known
name, they are able to receive—and spend—the kind of money that
smaller organizations would never have access to.

As Development Officer of Major Gifts, Annette gets to deal with a lot of
people—and, yep, a lot of money.  “Major” is another word for $10,000 or
more per year.  Her job is to work with wealthy volunteers to network
with other potential donors and to plan big events.  In her day-to-day time
on the job, she is coordinating meetings with the committees of
volunteers already involved, and trying to figure out how they can get
even more people involved with United Way.  This year, their goal is to
reach 80 new donors, which will add up to a lot of good with the already
over 500 people who are giving on the “major” level to the Philadelphia
branch.

Usually, Annette is meeting with potential donors one-on-one to talk with
them about United Way’s vision and the possibility of that person getting
involved by contributing financially.  She also occasionally travels around
the country to meet with potential donors.  But, her favorite part of the
job is when she gets to plan the “posh, swanky” events that bring in the
“transformational” (think $1 million plus) gifts.  It is Annette’s job, along
with others like her, to help these people who have access to significant
wealth realize their responsibility to the community of which they are a
part.

And that’s what Annette is good at.  She has always been a people person,
and, though it was not her intention to end up in development, it’s a great
fit for her personality.  Annette says that the best part of her job is
“knowing that she is doing something meaningful, that is really benefiting
the community.”  She says, “It feels good, and ultimately you help other
people feel good, too, by helping them understand what good their money
is really doing for others.”  Her favorite part of her job is working with
people.

And that is the most important skill to have if you are interested in
working in development like Annette.  She says that working in
development is a job that takes a bit of “spinning”—you have to be good at
thinking quick on your feet and you should be somewhat of a charmer.  
Because it’s all about convincing people that your cause is a worthy one to
give to.  Of course, you must be able to stay on task and be persistent, but
“the people part is really key,” Annette insists.  You have to be able to talk
with a lot of different people, be convincing, and enjoy doing it.

Annette also claims that development is a great field for women to get
into.  “It is accessible for a variety of degrees,” reminds the former voice
major.  “It doesn’t really matter what you study, per se, but if you know
you want to go into this and be a director, you can get a degree in
development.”  Development is a field that is dominated by women, and it
is one of the better paying fields that a woman can enter.  “There are a lot
of jobs, because every single non-profit needs a development department.  
If you are good at it, you can get a job.”

So, if you love to talk, don’t mind getting dressed up and working a room,
and want to make a difference with your career, consider putting your
people skills to work and look into development.  You could be flying off
to San Francisco or meeting with your favorite actor before you know it,
all for the sake helping to improving the quality of life for people in your
own community.