Development Officer

Zoo New England; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoo New England in Boston seeks a Development Officer to identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts for annual operations, special projects and capital initiatives, with a focus on growing the donor pipeline in the $500–$10,000 range.

You will manage a portfolio of about 150 donors and prospects, prepare funding proposals, attend meetings and events, and use Raiser's Edge to maintain accurate, confidential donor records. Evening and weekend work will be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• Experience with volunteers and program staff or equivalent.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent research skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and creatively.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 donors, prospects and corporate clients.
• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of contributing gifts of at least $500 annually.
• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of making capital gifts at a similar range.
• Some evening and weekend work required to cultivate and manage prospects and donors.
• Prepare meaningful and effective funding proposals, reports, and customized collateral.
• Schedule, manage and attend regular donor meetings.
• Attend committee meetings as required and represent the Zoos at networking events.
• Provide executive-level briefing materials in advance of meetings.
• Develop strategies for cultivation and stewardship of major donors and prospects.
• Create strategic events to attract prospective donors.
• Work with donors, friends and volunteers to identify, cultivate and solicit prospects.
• Manage donor information in Raiser's Edge with accuracy, confidentiality.
• Develop annual and monthly plans for donor portfolio; monitor productivity.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor stewardship

Prospect identification

Solicitation

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

MS Office

Job description

Reporting to the Vice President of Development for Strategic Development, this position is responsible for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts in support of annual operations, special projects, and capital projects. This position’s immediate charge will be to grow the overall donor pipeline with a focus upon the $500 to $10,000 range. At an exciting time of growth for the Zoos, this person will engage prospective donors in creative ways while serving as a positive ambassador for Zoo New England.

Essential Job Functions

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 donors, prospects and corporate clients
• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of contributing gifts of at least $500 annually
• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of making capital gifts at in a similar range
• Some evening and weekend work required to cultivate and manage prospects and donors

Duties & Responsibilities

• Rapidly become familiar and conversant regarding our Zoos, programs, policies and our value proposition
• Prepare meaningful and effective funding proposals, reports and customized collateral for individual donors, prospects and corporate clients
• Schedule, manage and attend regular donor meetings
• Attend committee meetings as required and represent the Zoos at networking events
• Provide executive-level briefing materials in advance of meetings for Vice President of Development and leadership staff
• Develop strategies for the cultivation and stewardship of major donors and prospects
• Create strategic events to attract prospective donors and engage them with Zoo New England
• Identify donors for planned giving
  cultivation
• Work with donors, friends and volunteers of Zoo New England to identify, cultivate and solicit prospects
• Manage all information relating to current major donors and prospects in Raiser’s Edge, in a manner that emphasizes the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, thoroughness, and confidentiality
• Develop annual and monthly plans
  for donor portfolio; monitor productivity and modify as necessary
• Solicit gifts from donors and prospects, both independently and working collaboratively with other solicitors
  

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required,
  master’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with volunteers and program staff or equivalent
• Superior written and oral communication skills
• Excellent research skills
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage complex issues creatively and effectively
• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully as a member of a team
• Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned

Preferred Job Requirements

• Minimum of 1-3 years demonstrated successful experience in fundraising with a focus on prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge, MS Office Suite; Word, Excel, Outlook
• Philosophical commitment to Zoo New England’s mission
• Strong initiative and self-motivation; ability to make independent decisions
• Knowledge of wildlife, environmental and conservation issues highly desirable.