Advancement Officer

A Hiring Company; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent nonprofit organization is seeking an Advancement Officer responsible for cultivating and managing donor relationships to secure mid- and major-level philanthropic investments. This role demands strong communication skills and a strategic approach to fundraising. The ideal candidate will have proven success in donor cultivation and will be comfortable with travel. The position promotes women's leadership through philanthropy and requires a commitment to supporting campaign execution and donor engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven success in cultivating and soliciting donors.
• Strong persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Highly motivated and results-oriented.
• Willingness to travel for donor visits and events.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospects.
• Develop strategies for donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Record donor interactions in the CRM within 48 hours.

Skills

Persuasive communication

Team-oriented approach

Organizational skills

Attention to deadlines

Problem-solving skills

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

CRM systems

Job description

LOCATION: Remote or Memphis, TN (candidates in proximity to Memphis, TN required to work in office 4-days)

Job Summary

The Advancement Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting a portfolio of donors with the capacity to make mid- and major-level philanthropic investments. This role is critical to growing revenue, advancing donors through the giving pipeline, and supporting campaign execution for the Kappa Delta Foundation. The Advancement Officer manages 100–150 donor and prospect relationships, with measurable goals tied to donor movement, upgrades, retention, and campaign participation. Reporting to the Director of Development, this role works closely with the Senior Advancement Officer and Foundation team to execute personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies aligned with annual, multi-year, and campaign goals. This position is ideal for a relationship-driven fundraiser who enjoys strategic prospecting, meaningful donor conversations, and advancing women’s leadership through philanthropy.

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Solicit gifts with an emphasis on upgrades, multi-year commitments, and recurring giving.
• Actively move donors through the pipeline from qualification to solicitation.
• Stewardship & Engagement
  • Ensure timely acknowledgments and stewardship touchpoints following each gift.
  • Support execution of the Sisterhood Society stewardship plan.
  • Develop and implement personalized strategies using phone, email, video, and written correspondence.
• Identify, qualify and cultivate new prospects through research, referrals and engagement opportunities.
• Partner with leadership, volunteers, and board members to support peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitation.
• Provide solicitation and strategy support for affinity group and leadership giving efforts.
• Campaign & Initiative Management
  • Support planning and execution of Foundation fundraising initiatives, including comprehensive or phased campaigns.
  • Track prospect movement and campaign progress in alignment with campaign goals.
  • Collaborate with leadership to adjust strategies based on donor readiness and campaign pacing.
• Reporting & Data Management
  • Record all donor interactions in the Foundation’s CRM within 48 hours.
  • Provide monthly portfolio progress reports to the Director of Development.
  • Analyze donor engagement trends quarterly and adapt strategies accordingly.

Targeted Goals

• Increasing portfolio retention and upgrades
• Expanding and strengthening the major and mid-level donor pipeline
• Supporting campaign readiness and execution
• Driving donor movement aligned with Foundation priorities and revenue goals

Qualifications

• Proven success cultivating and soliciting donors for annual and major gifts.
• Strong persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Highly motivated, self-directed, and results-oriented.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach to fundraising.
• Willingness to travel for donor visits, cultivation, solicitation, and events as directed.
• Proventrack recordof cultivating,soliciting and stewarding donors for annual andmajorgifts.

Key Attributes

• Positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Team-oriented professional work style
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and strong interpersonal skills
• Attention to deadlines with the ability to manage competing demands for time
• Strong computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint with the ability to learn new technology quickly
• Experience with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and moves management process is a plus
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Willingness to travel (up to 25%) for conferences and donor cultivation, solicitation and events.
• Membership in Kappa Delta Sorority or another Greek organization is a plus

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Must be able to operate a computer and navigate applications with a smart phone, computer, and or tablet.
• Position may require prolonged periods of sitting.
• Must be able to use hand and arms for repetitive movement such as movement of wrists, hands, and fingers while typing.
• Must be able to converse with colleagues via phone and computer programs.
• Vision required to see electronic devices and inspect properties.
• When working remotely work should be performed in a private, quiet space with minimal background noise.

Job responsibilities and tasks are subject to change based on the needs of the organization and at the direction of the Director of Development and/or the Executive Director.