Philanthropy Officer

Zoo Careers; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid holidays

Vacation & sick leave

FSA

403(b) Retirement Plan

Free zoo membership

Job summary

Woodland Park Zoo is seeking a Philanthropy Officer to advance donor relationships and drive mid-level, major, and principal gifts in support of the zoo's mission. This hybrid role combines on-site relationship cultivation with remote donor engagement, requiring strong communication and strategic fundraising skills.

You will manage donor portfolios, meet revenue goals, and craft timely gift-asks and engagement opportunities, including tours and events, with occasional weekends or evenings as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years in nonprofit fundraising.
• Experience in philanthropy work or tele-fundraising.
• Ability to build relationships with donors and interact via phone and in-person.
• Excellent written and verbal communications with inclusive language.
• Willingness to work weekends/evenings and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Identify new mid-level, major, and principal donor relationships.
• Develop donor engagement opportunities and move prospects through the pipeline.
• Articulate the zoo's mission and impact in meetings and written communications.
• Deepen relationships with lapsed and current mid-level donors.
• Meet annual revenue goals for the mid-level portfolio.
• Conduct solicitations and give donor tours.
• Collaborate with major giving and development teams.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Communication

Relationship management

Portfolio management

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or related field

Job description

TITLE: Philanthropy Officer

SALARY & FLSA: $33.88 - $50.82 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

The $33.88 hourly starting pay is structured to be competitive and may extend up to $38.99, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive compensation to qualified candidates.

OPENING DATE: 09/15/2026

CLOSING DATE: 10/4/2026 - This position may close early if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-Time

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: Hybrid (on grounds 2-3 days/week and remainder work remotely)

DEPARTMENT: Advancement

This role may be required to work occasional weekends or evenings to support donor events. Advanced notice will be provided.

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.”

WHO YOU ARE

• A Relationship Builder: You excel at cultivating meaningful connections with donors and prospects, engaging them through personalized outreach, stewardship, and donor experiences that inspire deeper investment in the zoo’s mission.
• Strategic and Results-Oriented: You are driven by goals and enjoy identifying new opportunities to grow donor support. You can move prospects through the donor pipeline while meeting fundraising and revenue objectives.
• An Exceptional Communicator: You confidently and professionally articulate the zoo’s mission, vision, and impact through compelling conversations, donor meetings, tours, reports, and written communications.
• Highly Organized and Detail-Focused: You thrive on managing donor portfolios, tracking engagement activities, maintaining accurate records, and using data to inform strategy and measure success.
• Creative and Donor-Centered: You enjoy developing innovative engagement and solicitation opportunities that strengthen donor relationships, increase giving, and create lasting partnerships with the zoo.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the department leadership and team members to identify new leads of mid-level, major, and principal level relationships for the zoo.
• Work with the department leadership and the team members to develop new donor engagement opportunities, moving prospects into a deeper relationship with the zoo, and future gift conversations.
• Professionally articulate the zoo’s mission, vision, and values verbally and in writing to prospects and current donors.
• Develop positive and professional relationships with lapsed donors to reactivate them at the mid-level or major donor level.
• Deepen relationships with new and current mid-level donors to increase their giving.
• Meet annual revenue goals for the mid-level portfolio, as established by department leadership.
• Implement unique and timely gift-ask opportunities that support and enhance donors’ partnerships and relationships with the zoo.
• Conduct solicitations on behalf of the zoo through building relationships with donors.
• Give donor tours and meetings. Accompany other members of the major giving and development team on donor tours and visits to expand skill set as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and two or more years of non-profit fundraising experience and or training; and/or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience in philanthropy work, telephone fundraising, cold-calling, or tele-fundraising.
• Excitement to work for Woodland Park Zoo and further its mission to make conservation a priority in everyone’s lives.
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors and interact via telephone and in-person.
• Ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with donors, potential donors, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and organizational communication and ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
• Ability to work on a non-standard/flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

REFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
• Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
• Free staff parking
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

SELECTION PROCESS

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].