Development Officer, Annual Giving

World Wildlife Fund; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 78,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) seeks a Development Officer, Annual Giving to identify, cultivate, and steward high-value donors and prospects. You will manage a portfolio including Leadership Partners ($10,000–$25,000) and Partners in Conservation ($1,000–$10,000) with the capacity to significantly increase annual support, aligning with WWF objectives.

Working with the Director and regional philanthropy teams, you will implement personalized engagement plans, monitor performance against goals,

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Knowledge of development practices and techniques is required.
• Minimum of four years of demonstrated success in fundraising, including cultivation and solicitation of donors.

Responsibilities

• Raises funds toward Annual Giving goals by developing cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Collaborates with the Director to implement strategies for high-value prospects and donors.
• Monitors performance against objectives and adjusts plans accordingly.
• Executes high-touch personal contact with high-value donors and prospects.
• Identifies suspects/prospects with major gift potential for hand-off to gift officers.
• Prepares materials for individual giving staff and other development colleagues.
• Researches donors and writes cultivation communications.
• Coordinates with regional philanthropy and gift planning teams to provide engagement opportunities.

Skills

Reliability

Organization

Communication

Relationship Mgmt

Curiosity

Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

• Compensation: USD 77900 - USD 97400 - yearly

Company Description

Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. Nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 5 million globally are WWF members.

Job Description

Major Function

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Development Officer, Annual Giving. The Development Officer, Annual Giving identifies, cultivates, andstewardshigh-value annual givingdonors and prospects.Manages a portfolio ofdonors and prospects, including Leadership Partners ($10,000 to $25,000) and Partners in Conservation ($1,000 to $10,000) with capacity to significantly increase their annual support.Works toward achieving World Wildlife Fund’s fundraisingobjectivesfor theAnnual Givingteam,followingDevelopmentdepartmentpriorities and goals.

KeyResponsibilities

Takesresponsibility for raising fundstowardAnnual Givingteam goals.Working with theDirector, develops and implements cultivation and stewardship strategiesforhigh-value annual givingprospects and donors.Monitors performance against agreed uponobjectivesand goals.Executes work planin accordance withAnnual Giving team goals as well as individual goals.

Implements program of high-touch personal contact with high-value annual giving donors and prospects.Makes regular identification, cultivation, and stewardship contacts, withthegoal of deepening their engagement and connection with WWF to lead to increases in their unrestricted annual support.

Works toidentifysuspects/prospectswith major gift potential for hand-off to individual giving staffforfurther qualification.Preparesrelevantmaterials for individual giving staff,and/or other development staffwhenappropriate.

Researchesannual giving suspects/prospects/donors, developscultivationstrategies, writes,editsand coordinatespersonal correspondence.

Monitors donor relationshipsfor high-value annual giving prospects and donorsto ensureappropriate levelof interaction.Monitors trends in giving and integrates findings intocultivationstrategies.Keepsup to dateonprogrammatic developments for application incultivationstrategies and donor relations.

Responds to inquiriesfrom donors and prospectsandfollowsup withappropriate cultivationand program information.Works collaboratively withRegionalPhilanthropyand Gift Planningteams to providecomprehensive engagement and giving opportunities for donor cultivation.

AssistsDirectorand other development staff to supportWWF engagement opportunities (i.e.events, travel, webinars, etc.)and projects as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Reliability, Independence, & Follow-Through – Independently manages donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising responsibilities to support Annual Giving goals and strengthen donor relationships. Takes accountability for meetingobjectives, responding promptly to donor needs, and coordinating effectively with internal teams to ensuretimelyand high-quality execution.
• Organization/Attention-To-Detail/Time Management– Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills by effectively prioritizing donor engagement activities, managing multiple donor relationships, andmaintainingaccuratedonor communications and records.
• Interpersonal Communications & Collaboration – Communicates clearly and professionally with donors and collaborates effectively across teams to manage relationships, resolve inquiries, and support coordinated fundraising and stewardship efforts.
• Relationship Management and Stakeholder Engagement – Representatives WWF in conversation and correspondence with donors and prospects, projecting a poised, professional demeanor that conveys the organization’s reputation and standing as a global conservation leader.
• Intellectual Curiosity – Pursues information about WWF programs to bettercomprehendconservationobjectiveand strategy to convey organizational alignment with donor interests. Asks questions and invites conversations with donors to understand philanthropic priorities and other factorsimpactinggiving decisions.
• Research and Analytical Skills – Pays close attention to detail in research, correspondence, reporting, and follow-through to ensuretimely, high-quality execution of fundraising and stewardship strategies.

Skills and Abilities:

ABachelor’sdegree or equivalent experience is required.Knowledge of development practices and techniques is required.Position requires a minimum offouryears ofdemonstratedsuccess in fundraising, including the cultivation and solicitation ofdonors.

Demonstratesabilityto professionallyrepresentWWF to donors,membersand the public.

Demonstrates ability to work independently andmake significant contributions as amember of a team.

Demonstrates flexibility to changing situations and ability to balance competing demands and priorities.

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Excellent organizational ability, attention to detail, time-management skills, and ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

Knowledge of conservation issues is preferred.

Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.

Identifiesand aligns withWWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:

Courage Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult or unpopular.

Integrity Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.

Respect Welcomesother points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.

Collaboration Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Additional Information

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.