Annual Gifts Officer

Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 105,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

403B Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Fringe benefits

Job summary

The Bushnell seeks an Annual Gifts Officer in Hartford, CT to expand annual support and build donor relationships. This full-time role requires managing a diverse donor portfolio, coordinating cultivation plans, and supporting major gift efforts within a vibrant arts organization.

You will collaborate with the Development team, engage donors through personal contacts and events, and help grow the annual fund while ensuring excellent stewardship and retention.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred with 3–5 years fundraising experience.
• Ability to solicit gifts in the $2,500+ range.
• Passion for performing arts and community impact.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for donors, prospects, and volunteers.
• Strong motivation, independence, and judgment.
• Ability to communicate annual giving priorities and goals.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Strong negotiation, organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Development colleagues and senior staff to reach annual fundraising goals.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of making leadership annual gifts in the $1,500 - $5,000+ range.
• Manage an active portfolio of approximately 120 households.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to increase gift size, donor retention, gift amounts, and long-term engagement.
• Conduct a minimum of 10-15 meaningful donor prospects and donor contacts per month, including in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and other strategic outreach.
• Conduct ongoing prospect research and wealth screening to identify new donor prospects with the capacity and inclination to support The Bushnell.
• Conduct additional outreach to donors making first or increased gifts to qualify and cultivate relationships, leveraging data provided by the Annual Fund team and wealth screening tools.
• Under the Direction of the Major Gifts Officer, prepare annual goals, objectives, and strategies to identify donors and prospects.
• Work with the Major Gifts Officer and Senior Director of Annual Fund to identify and invite donors and prospects to cultivation and stewardship events.
• Prepare prospect profiles, donor briefs, and research materials.
• Enter comprehensive contact reports within one week of donor interactions.
• Participate in execution of events and programs in support of development activities. Utilize events and personal interactions to deepen donor engagement and move solicitations forward.
• Assist with solicitations and donor engagement strategies related to special campaigns.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Gifts solicitation

Donor relationship building

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Team collaboration

Technical proficiency

College degree preferred

Education

Bachelors degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Annual Gifts Officer

Development/annual Fund Full-time Regular Professional Hartford, CT, US

Salary Range: $105,000.00 To $112,000.00 Annually

Position Title:Annual Gifts Officer

Department: Development

Reports To:Major Gifts Officer

Working hours:37.5 hours/week; includes some evening and weekend hours

Benefits:Medical, dental, vision and life insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, paid time off, paid holidays and other fringe benefits.

About The Bushnell:
The Bushnell is more than just a building, or a place to “see a show.” It is a vibrant organization that draws upon a rich, 96-year history, while navigating an exciting course for the future. Led by a CEO with an entrepreneurial spirit and great vision, we are constantly looking for new ways to expand the scope of our work, whether it's through our new affiliation with the Warner Theatre, dynamic programming, developing new content, or building upon our 33-year-old education program. As the largest arts organization in Connecticut, The Bushnell is an essential part of the fabric of Hartford, serving as both a cultural beacon and an economic development leader. Our staff embodies this sense of pride and commitment to the community and are encouraged to share new ideas for the betterment of the patron experience, the growth of the institution, and the community we serve.

Broad Functions:

The Bushnell seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven fundraising professional who is passionate about the performing arts and committed to building meaningful philanthropic partnerships. The Annual Gifts Officer will be responsible for identifying, researching, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and prospects in support of The Bushnell Annual Fund.

This position plays a critical role in growing annual support by increasing donor participation, strengthening donor retention, upgrading giving levels, and building a sustainable pipeline of future major gift donors. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, conduct prospect research, and engage donors through personalized cultivation and face-to-face solicitation.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated fundraiser who combines strong relationship-building skills with a data-informed approach to donor engagement and pipeline development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with Development colleagues and senior staff to reach annual fundraising goals.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of making leadership annual gifts in the $1,500 - $5,000+ range.
• Manage an active portfolio of approximately 120 households.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to increase gift size, donor retention, gift amounts, and long-term engagement.
• Conduct a minimum of 10-15 meaningful donor prospects and donor contacts per month, including in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and other strategic outreach.
• Conduct ongoing prospect research and wealth screening to identify new donor prospects with the capacity and inclination to support The Bushnell.
• Conduct additional outreach to donors making first or increased gifts to qualify and cultivate relationships, leveraging data provided by the Annual Fund team and wealth screening tools.
• Under the Direction of the Major Gifts Officer, prepare annual goals, objectives, and strategies to identify donors and prospects.
• Work with the Major Gifts Officer and Senior Director of Annual Fund to identify and invite donors and prospects to cultivation and stewardship events.
• Prepare prospect profiles, donor briefs, and research materials.
• Enter comprehensive contact reports within one week of donor interactions.
• Participate in execution of events and programs in support of development activities. Utilize events and personal interactions to deepen donor engagement and move solicitations forward.
• Assist with solicitations and donor engagement strategies related to special campaigns.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Critical Skills:

• College degree preferred and 3-5 years of experience in the fundraising field
• Demonstrated ability to personally solicit gifts in the amount of $2,500 and above.
• A passion and understanding for the performing arts and its impact on the community.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required to relate to a diverse group of donors, prospects, and volunteers, including tact, diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• High level of motivation and confidence, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment
• Possess initiative and self-starting qualities.
• Ability to understand and communicate the objectives of annual giving and the overall fundraising priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Negotiating, organizational, analytical, and fund-raising skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, handle multiple tasks, assess and order priorities, and track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer proficiency required

The above statements are intended to describe some specific duties and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Physical Demands

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand and may be required to visit other work areas. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk and/or listen. The employee must have the ability to maneuver around the facilities. The employee may be required to use computers, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. May be required to read a high volume of written materials and a computer screen. Must have the ability to coordinate several activities simultaneously. Is required to be able to handle stressful situations in a calm, professional manner. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. During certain events, considerable movement around the facility, exposure to crowds and loud noise may be encountered.

The Bushnell strives to build and sustain an equitable and inclusive work environment where cultural diversity is celebrated and valued. We believe that a diverse workforce, reflective of the communities we serve, helps us become a stronger community partner. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

General Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. The Bushnell reserves the right to change or modify the employee’s job description, whether orally or in writing, at any time during the employment relationship. The Bushnell may require an employee to perform duties outside his/her normal job description.

The Bushnell is a Not-For-Profit, Equal Opportunity Employer proud to serve Connecticut and its citizens.