Donor Relations Officer

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401K with employer matching

Dental and vision plans

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Direct Deposit

Personal Pet Perks

Wellness Programs

Sabbatical after 5 years

Job summary

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is seeking a Donor Relations Officer to grow major gifts and planned giving. You’ll manage a portfolio of 150+ donors, develop solicitation strategies, and secure transformative gifts in support of lifesaving programs.

This full‑time role in Colorado Springs offers a hybrid schedule after an initial training period. A bachelor’s degree is required; fundraising certifications are preferred and knowledge of Raiser’s Edge a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE, CSPG, CAWA, or fundraising certification preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising or related role.
• Proven track record of developing proposals, soliciting gifts, and securing major philanthropic support.
• Experience soliciting gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Capital campaigns or comprehensive campaigns experience strongly preferred.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or similar donor databases and prospect/wealth research tools.
• Familiarity with planned giving and smart‑giving strategies.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Confidence communicating with donors, community leaders, and board members.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Teams; ability to learn new technology.
• Collaborative spirit and drive to pursue fundraising goals.
• Ability to stay composed in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to treating animals and people with respect and kindness.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful donor relationships by managing a portfolio of 150+ major donors and prospects.
• Inspire major gifts, developing cultivation and solicitation strategies with leadership peers.
• Expand planned and smart giving through donor conversations and strategic partnerships.
• Create exceptional donor experiences via engagement opportunities and stewardship excellence.
• Collaborate across departments to integrate fundraising with programs and campaigns.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Donor stewardship

Prospect research

Strategic fundraising

Proposal development

Major gifts solicitations

Gift planning

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office/Teams

Education

Bachelor's degree

Fundraising certification (CFRE/CSPG/CAWA)

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 250+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.

Donor Relations Officer

Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Department: Philanthropy
Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday; occasional evenings and weekends
Workplace: Hybrid schedule considered after initial training period and 90 days of employment

Help Transform Generosity into Lifesaving Impact

What if your next donor conversation could help save a life?

At the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR), philanthropy directly fuels lifesaving work. From compassionate sheltering and veterinary care to community programs and emergency response, generous donors make it possible for us to care for animals and support the people and communities who love them.

We're looking for a Donor Relations Officer who knows that major gifts are about more than dollars-they're about relationships, trust, shared values, and meaningful impact.

As a key member of HSPPR's Philanthropy team, you'll build lasting relationships with individuals who are passionate about animals and our community. You'll identify and cultivate prospective donors, develop thoughtful solicitation strategies, secure major and planned gifts, and provide exceptional stewardship that inspires continued investment in HSPPR's mission.

If you're energized by connecting people with causes they care about, comfortable asking for transformational gifts, and excited by the opportunity to turn philanthropic vision into real-world impact, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

Build Meaningful Donor Relationships

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 150+ major donors and prospects, with an emphasis on gifts of $10,000 and higher.
• Develop authentic, long‑term relationships through personal meetings, mission experiences, tours, events, educational opportunities, and thoughtful communication.
• Listen carefully to donors' interests and motivations and connect their philanthropic goals with HSPPR's strategic priorities.
• Provide exceptional stewardship through personalized outreach, recognition, timely follow‑up, and responsive donor service.

Inspire Major Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects.
• Develop customized cultivation and solicitation strategies in partnership with the Director of Development, Individual Giving Manager, Vice President of Philanthropy, CEO, and other organizational leaders.
• Develop compelling proposals, appeals, and renewal requests for major donors.
• Help secure philanthropic support for special initiatives, including capital projects, capital reserve funding, comprehensive campaigns, and emerging organizational priorities.

Expand Planned & Smart Giving

• Introduce donors to planned giving opportunities and work collaboratively with HSPPR leadership to develop these relationships.
• Help donors explore meaningful giving options such as bequests, donor‑advised funds, IRA qualified charitable distributions, stock transfers, and other tax‑smart giving vehicles.
• Build relationships with financial planners, tax professionals, estate attorneys, fiduciaries, and other wealth‑adjacent professionals who can help connect donors with HSPPR.

Create Exceptional Donor Experiences

• Organize engaging mission‑related gatherings, educational opportunities, small‑group tours, and exclusive experiences for major donors and prospects.
• Support major donor engagement at signature events including Fur Ball, Pawtoberfest, and Whisker Brunch.
• Partner with Events and Corporate Giving teams to develop and manage meaningful major donor sponsorship opportunities.

Collaborate Across HSPPR

• Work closely with Philanthropy, Communications, Events, Corporate Giving, departmental leaders, board members, and committees.
• Collaborate on donor communications, special appeals, digital campaigns, and resources that increase awareness of giving opportunities.
• Maintain thorough and accurate donor records, strategies, interactions, and follow‑up in Raiser's Edge and other team systems.
• Contribute to fundraising strategy, reporting, metrics, and evaluation of program success.

What We're Looking For

You're a relationship-builder, strategic thinker, and confident fundraiser who understands that successful philanthropy starts with genuine connection.

You bring:

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE, CSPG, CAWA, or fundraising certification preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising or a related fundraising role.
• A demonstrated track record of developing proposals, soliciting gifts, and securing major philanthropic support.
• Experience soliciting gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Comprehensive or capital campaign experience strongly preferred.
• Strong relationship‑building, communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or similar donor databases and prospect/wealth research tools.
• Familiarity with planned giving and smart‑giving strategies.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Confidence communicating with donors, community leaders, professional advisors, organizational leadership, and board members.
• Strong Microsoft Office and Teams skills, with the ability to quickly learn new technology.
• A collaborative spirit and the ambition to pursue meaningful fundraising goals.
• The ability to remain composed, professional, and solution‑focused in a fast‑paced environment.
• A genuine commitment to treating animals and people with respect and kindness.
• A valid Colorado driver's license and insurable driving record.

Why This Role Matters

At HSPPR, your work won't simply contribute to a fundraising goal‑it will help create the resources that make lifesaving programs possible.

Every relationship you build can help provide medical care for an animal who needs it. Every major gift can expand the reach of a community program. Every planned gift conversation can help secure HSPPR's future. And every donor who feels connected to our mission becomes part of something bigger.

This is fundraising with a purpose you can see, feel, and experience every day.

A Workplace Where Your Work Makes a Difference

HSPPR is a highly regarded nonprofit organization with an annual budget of approximately $22 million, multiple locations, and a four‑star Charity Navigator rating. Our mission is simple but powerful:

HSPPR offers compassionate care to animals, supports safe communities, and provides socially conscious sheltering.

You'll join a passionate Philanthropy team working alongside people who care deeply about animals, our community, and one another.

And because lifesaving work doesn't always happen on a predictable schedule, members of our team may also support HSPPR as frontline fundraising professionals when the Community Animal Response Team (CART) is activated.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're an experienced fundraiser who loves building relationships, telling meaningful stories, and helping generous people turn their passion into lifesaving action, we want to hear from you.

Bring your fundraising expertise. Bring your curiosity. Bring your heart for animals and people.

Join HSPPR and help turn generosity into lifesaving impact.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer comprehensive benefits to our full-time staff.

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision Plans ~~ Supplemental Group Life Insurance ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks ~~ Wellness Programs ~~ Paid Sabbatical after 5 years of employment

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.