Philanthropy Officer

Smartstartofmeck; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Communities In Schools is seeking a Philanthropy Officer in Charlotte, NC to build and strengthen the philanthropic pipeline through strategic donor cultivation, planned giving, donor stewardship, and community engagement. This position partners with the Vice President of Advancement to secure long-term major gifts and deepen engagement with existing supporters.

The role leads planned giving, multi-year commitments, donor recognition programs, stewardship experiences, and prospect development to

Responsibilities

• Planned Giving: Launch and manage CIS' formal planned giving program, identify and steward legacy giving prospects.
• Multi-Year Giving: Build donor portfolios for multi-year commitments and sustained engagement.
• Prospect Research: Lead data-informed prospect identification and qualification efforts.
• Giving Society/Donor Recognition: Design and manage donor recognition programs and exclusive experiences.
• Stewardship/Cultivation: Lead donor stewardship events and personalized touchpoints across the giving journey.
• Community Engagement: Represent CIS at philanthropic events and build relationships with civic and community leaders.
• Corporate Giving: Manage corporate donor portfolios and sponsor opportunities.

Job description

PHILANTHROPY OFFICER Position Summary The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for building and strengthening Communities In Schools' future philanthropic pipeline through strategic donor cultivation, planned giving, donor stewardship, and community engagement. This role focuses on identifying, engaging, and advancing individual donors throughout their giving journey while creating pathways for long-term philanthropic investment. The Philanthropy Officer will lead efforts related to planned giving, multi-year commitments, donor recognition programs, stewardship experiences, and prospect development. Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement and other fundraising staff, this position will help ensure a strong pipeline of future major donors while deepening engagement among current supporters. Essential Responsibilities Planned GivingFuture Gifts Launch and manage CIS' formal planned giving program. Develop strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward legacy giving prospects. Educate donors on estate planning and tax-advantaged giving opportunities. Build relationships with attorneys, financial advisors, and estate planning professionals. Coordinate documentation and stewardship of planned gift commitments. Maintain accurate records and projections related to future gift intentions. Multi-Year GivingDonor Retention Build and manage a portfolio of donors with potential for multi-year philanthropic commitments. Develop strategies that encourage sustained giving and long-term donor engagement. Partner with annual, major, corporate, and foundation fundraising efforts to identify opportunities for deeper investment. Create individualized cultivation and stewardship plans for assigned prospects. Advance donors through the cultivation cycle toward larger and longer-term commitments. Donor Pipeline DevelopmentProspect Research Lead data-informed prospect identification and qualification efforts. Analyze donor trends, giving patterns, and engagement history. Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities within the community. Monitor local business growth, leadership transitions, and community trends to identify new prospects. Maintain awareness of Charlotte's philanthropic landscape through community networking and research. Giving SocietyDonor Recognition Design, launch, and manage a formal donor recognition and loyalty program. Develop giving society structure, naming, benefits, and engagement opportunities. Create stewardship strategies that recognize sustained giving and legacy commitments. Coordinate exclusive donor communications and experiences. Track participation and retention metrics. StewardshipCultivation Lead donor stewardship experiences, including stewardship dinners and recognition events. Coordinate cultivation events designed to introduce new prospects to CIS. Develop donor journey strategies that strengthen engagement from first gift through long-term investment. Partner with volunteers, board members, and leadership to create meaningful donor touchpoints. Ensure donors receive timely, personalized stewardship. Community EngagementVisibility Represent CIS at community networking events and philanthropic gatherings. Build relationships with civic, small business, and community leaders. Maintain visibility within organizations such as Share Charlotte and other community engagement platforms. Identify opportunities to increase awareness of CIS among prospective supporters. Support volunteer engagement efforts as a pathway to future philanthropy. Corporate Giving Manage and grow a portfolio of corporate donors and sponsorship opportunities. Develop entry-level corporate partnerships that can be advanced into larger organizational relationships. Coordinate corporate stewardship and engagement activities.