Discovery & Engagement Gift Officer

Breathe Project; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is seeking a Development Gift Officer to grow philanthropic support by engaging prospects, donors, and community members. You will manage a donor portfolio, qualify new donors, conduct discovery calls, and build a pool of prospects at the $2,500–$5,000 level.

Responsibilities include donor cultivation, year-end solicitations, and collaboration with the major gifts and Grassroots teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least two years of experience in nonprofit fundraising.
• Strong knowledge of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality.
• Independent judgment and collaborative problem solving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; able to learn fundraising databases.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to solicit maintenance donors, subscribers, and patrons.
• Develop and execute a robust discovery program with documented processes.
• Prospect and research donors under $2,500 level, subscribers, and ticket buyers not yet donors.
• Qualify and manage donors for ongoing philanthropic support and guide major gift referrals.
• Articulate the value of supporting PSO goals and priority programs like the annual fund.
• Coordinate direct mail and engagement activities with Grassroots team.
• Maintain portfolio data in Tessitura and generate reports.

Skills

Non-profit fundraising

Microsoft Office

Data management

Communication skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Tessitura

Job description

Who is the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra?

Known for its artistic excellence for more than 130 years, today the PSO is the region’s national and international cultural ambassador. A two-time 2018 GRAMMY® Award‑winning orchestral ensemble credited with a rich history of concerts, performances, and recordings with the world’s finest conductors and musicians. The PSO consistently is demonstrating a genuine commitment to Pittsburgh’s citizens, regional communities, and vibrant cultural scenes.

Job Purpose:

As a valued member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Development Department, the Discovery & Engagement Gift Officer plays a vital role in growing philanthropic support for the PSO by engaging prospects, donors, and members of the community. This individual will actively manage a donor portfolio, qualify new donors, conduct discovery calls, and build a pool of new prospects and past donors at the $2,500 – $5,000 level. The Gift Officer initiates gift strategies and cultivates and solicits prospects through personal visits, direct mail, and written and phone communication, working closely with colleagues across the Development Department to implement strategic approaches that increase the donor base and build a robust pipeline of major gift support for the Orchestra.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Portfolio Management:

• Develop, direct, and implement strategies to solicit maintenance donors, subscribers, and patrons through personal visits, email, direct mail, and telephone contact.
• Develop and execute a robust discovery program with documented processes and procedures.
• Actively prospect and research individual donors under the $2,500 level, subscribers, and ticket buyers who are not yet donors.
• Qualify and manage donors for the best ongoing philanthropic support of the Orchestra, moving donors to the major gifts team as and when appropriate, while receiving leadership giving referrals (donors who are not yet major gift prospects) from the major giving team.
• Articulate the value of supporting the goals and mission of the PSO, as well as priority programs like the annual fund. Work closely with the Grassroots team to execute stewardship efforts, engagement activities, and special fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure donors who have declined face‑to‑face meetings and/or are not assigned to a major gift officer are included in year‑end solicitations via email, direct mail, or telephone contact.
• Work closely with major gift officers and the development operations team to ensure management of donors who have potential to make major gifts, as well as collaboration around the identification of new major gift prospects.

Administrative Duties:

• Coordinate and execute direct mail processes for the major gifts division in coordination with the grassroots giving team.
• Maintain data integrity of the portfolio, including entering and updating prospect and donor contact reports, plans, screens, and proposals in the Tessitura database according to established protocols.
• Collect and gather data for reports and inquiries and maintain major gifts division tracking.
• Maintain accurate listings of donors for various publications, including the program book.
• Respond to inquiries and donor communications.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study.
• At least two years of experience in non‑profit fundraising in a complex institution.
• Strong knowledge and application of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Ability to be discreet and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated independent, mature judgment, and a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Ability to successfully prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn and use various database and planning software.
• Must have access to transportation for travel to meetings and donor visits.
• Commitment to attend evening and weekend concerts and participate in special events as a visible and active representative of the PSO.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience in a performing arts organization.
• Familiarity and proficiency in Tessitura.
• Knowledge of orchestral music.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate related equipment, i.e., computer, copier, scanner.
• Ability to stand for two hours or more at a time may be required.
• Ability to lift 10 to 15 pounds as needed.

Compensation and Location:

This is a full‑time, exempt position with an annual salary range between $50,000 – $60,000 depending upon experience. The PSO offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid holidays, paid time off, employer paid health benefits, and retirement savings options with an employer match. Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh is the primary work location for this position, with periodic travel to local and regional meetings and donor visits. The PSO supports a flexible, hybrid work environment, which currently includes three days per week in‑person work, including work on weekends and evenings during PSO and Heinz Hall concerts or events.

Pittsburgh Symphony, Inc. (PSI) provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other class or category protected by local, state, or federal law.

The specific statements shown in each section of the description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully.

The PSI recognizes that an individual with a disability may require a job modification/accommodation to enable them to successfully perform a job function. Consideration will be given to such requests. Such requests should be directed to Human Resources.