POSITION SUMMARY
The Development Officer plays a significant role in developing and implementing the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s objectives and tactics for attracting new donor partners and deepening relationships with current partners. They will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding qualified prospects and other priority audiences to establish new funds or make annual and ultimate gifts. The Development Officer is expected to be knowledgeable about annual, major gift and planned giving strategies, tools, and solicitation methods and leads stewardship efforts for constituents.
The Development Officer will have a commitment to the Community Foundation’s North Star and will be able to work effectively with persons from a variety of cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds. They will have a demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative setting, effectively communicate around sensitive issues, a highly developed cultural awareness and the ability to be an active listener.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
Annual Giving
- Partner in executing annual appeals, including development and implementation of tactics and materials for direct mail and e-appeals. Play a key role in execution of annual fund strategies.
- Coordinate with the Database Manager to actively monitor the success of the Community Foundation’s giving level programs. Within these groups, lead strategies to develop, nurture and grow relationships with key donor partners and prospects to encourage additional and planned gifts and establishment of new funds.
Prospective Donor Partner Engagement
- Actively engage prospective donor partners in the creation of new funds. Lead the design and execution of targeted cultivation and solicitation strategies to drive philanthropic investment.
- Work personally with prospective donor partners to assess needs and make appropriate recommendations for increasing their philanthropy.
- In concert with other team members, promote the concept of philanthropy in general and Community Foundation in particular to targeted audiences.
Current Donor Partner Engagement & Stewardship
- Lead Metz Legacy Society stewardship efforts by ensuring that every Legacy Society member receives appropriate personalized contact.
- Engage donor partners in achieving their charitable goals by developing plans and providing information about the Community Foundation’s services, community insights and the benefits of fund creation and planned gifts. Drive cultivation strategies that move donor partners towards increased giving and a deepened commitment to the Community Foundation.
- Steward100 New Philanthropists through creative strategies to engage donor partners in annual giving, fund creation, and planned giving and plan for next steps with this group.
- Lead efforts to identify strategies for a comprehensive donor partner stewardship effort.
Campaign support
- Support fundraising for current and future campaigns, lead efforts to raise public support and prospective donor partner events.
- Support overall fundraising goals by soliciting targeted prospects as assigned.
As part of the Development Department, additional responsibilities include:
- Participate in cross functional team to evaluate scholarship fund options.
- Participate in the creation of annual department plans, goals and strategies.
- Compile key performance indicators for respective area of responsibility and recommend action.
- Represent the Community Foundation at special events.
- Track budget items within area of responsibility. Work with the Strategic Communications Department to develop, implement and evaluate marketing outreach strategies and materials as needed.
How to Apply
To learn more about this full-time position and how to apply please visit GRFoundation.org/Careers.