Temporary Senior Philanthropy Officer – Campaign

Arts Hacker; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 87,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

The Guthrie Theater seeks a Senior Philanthropy Officer to boost fundraising during the final phase of a capital campaign, focusing on donor engagement and closing major gifts.

This hands-on role builds trust with donors, moves prospects to commitments, maintains accurate records in Tessitura, and partners with leadership to accelerate gift closures.

The position is temporary, full-time, requires occasional evenings and weekends, and champions diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $10,000 and above, including closing complex solicitations.
• Experience with donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge NXT, Tessitura, Salesforce, or similar platforms; Tessitura experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and actively solicit a portfolio of identified major gift prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized strategies that combine qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to move donors toward campaign commitments.
• Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor interactions through in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and personalized outreach.
• Close a significant number of five-figure campaign gifts, with an emphasis on moving existing prospects to commitment.
• Collaborate with campaign leadership and development staff to prioritize prospects and identify opportunities to accelerate gift closures.
• Schedule and participate in donor meetings, either independently or alongside senior leadership, to cultivate and solicit gifts.
• Meet ambitious activity and fundraising goals through the close of the campaign.
• Monitor progress against established performance metrics and adjust strategies to maximize results.
• Represent the organization professionally and passionately while communicating the vision and impact of the capital campaign.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and pipeline activity within Tessitura (CRM).

Skills

Donor engagement

Major gifts fundraising

Relationship building

Communication

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Tessitura

Salesforce

Job description

Department: Development
Reports to: Director of Development
Compensation: $87,000 – $92,000 annually
Benefits: Benefits Eligible
Position Summary
The Guthrie Theater seeks an accomplished Senior Philanthropy Officer to provide additional fundraising capacity during the final phase of a successful capital campaign. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned fundraising professional who thrives on donor engagement, enjoys closing major gifts, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can begin producing results with strategic onboarding.

The successful candidate is a confident relationship builder with a proven record of securing five-figure and larger philanthropic investments. They can assess a donor portfolio quickly, identify opportunities, and move prospects toward a gift efficiently and with precision. They are comfortable making a high volume of donor outreach calls, moving prospects through the solicitation process, and meeting face-to-face with donors when needed to close gifts.

This is a hands-on, results-oriented role focused on helping the organization reach its campaign goal and is perfect for someone who enjoys jumping into organizations at critical moments. The ideal candidate is energized by direct donor conversations, disciplined about outreach activity, and motivated by helping an organization cross the finish line of a major campaign.

All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility.

This position is temporary, full-time, exempt, benefits eligible and will be anticipated to work a duration of 12-15 months from the date of hire. The typical schedule for this role will vary based on the dynamic schedule of a theater and will require occasional evening and weekend availability.

The Guthrie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building an equitable environment that finds strength in diversity of identity, experience and perspective. We are dedicated to hiring and developing talented teams that are inclusive and welcoming to individuals with different backgrounds, thoughts, and abilities. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Manage and actively solicit a portfolio of identified major gift prospects.
Develop and execute individualized strategies that combine qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to move donors toward campaign commitments. Identify donor interests, philanthropic capacity, and readiness while building authentic relationships that lead to campaign investments.
Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor interactions through in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and personalized outreach.
Close a significant number of five-figure campaign gifts, with an emphasis on moving existing prospects to commitment.
Collaborate with campaign leadership and development staff to prioritize prospects and identify opportunities to accelerate gift closures. Schedule and participate in donor meetings, either independently or alongside senior leadership, to cultivate and solicit gifts.
Meet ambitious activity and fundraising goals through the close of the campaign. Monitor progress against established performance metrics and adjust strategies to maximize results.
Represent the organization professionally and passionately while communicating the vision and impact of the capital campaign.
Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and pipeline activity within Tessitura (CRM).

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. Minimum of 7 years of frontline major gifts fundraising experience, preferably within higher education, arts and culture, healthcare, or other large nonprofit organizations.
Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $10,000 and above, including closing complex solicitations.
Experience working on capital campaigns or comprehensive fundraising campaigns strongly preferred.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and confidence conducting a high volume of donor phone outreach.
Skilled in donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and stewardship.
Experience with donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge NXT, Tessitura, Salesforce, or similar platforms; Tessitura experience preferred.
Can build trust and credibility quickly with donors and colleagues.
Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision and little ramp-up time.
Can sit for extended periods of time.
Must be willing to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theater, with the availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Experience with and commitment to working with individuals and teams that exemplify diversity of identity, experience, and perspective, including but not limited to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, family and/or marital status, creed, religion, ancestry, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or sexual identity, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, body size/type, status with regard to public assistance or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
The Guthrie relies on the talents of many artists and staff, both on and off the stage, to create powerful works of theater at the Guthrie. We are dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference. Acknowledging that there are many identities that are underrepresented in the theater overall, the Guthrie strongly encourages candidates who bring diversity of identity, experience and thought to apply. We also acknowledge that candidates can have unique and non-linear and transferable skills. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification but have transferrable skills and passion for our mission and vision.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
Be a part of a leading non-profit organization that is committed to serving not only the local Twin Cities community but the industry as a whole. The Guthrie offers top-notch employee benefits and staff perks which include:
Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employer contributions to HSA, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, Group Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (with employer match up to 4.5% after one year of service)
Transportation: Subsidized passes for Metro Transit buses and trains, discounted pre-tax monthly ramp parking
Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
Complimentary Tickets: To Guthrie productions
Discounted Tickets: To all shows produced by the Guthrie and to some performances hosted by the Guthrie
Classes and Camps: Discounts to Guthrie classes and camps
Other Perks and Resources: Guthrie Store discount; Employee Affinity Groups
ABOUT THE GUTHRIE
The Guthrie Theater engages exceptional theater artists in the exploration of both classic and contemporary plays connecting the community we serve to one another and to the world. Through its extraordinary artists, staff and facility, the Guthrie is committed to the people of Minnesota, and from its place, rooted deeply in the Twin Cities, influences the field as a leading 21st century arts organization. Every year more than 500 people, both on stage and off, help ensure our success in creating and supporting the highest level of theater. As an organization, we are committed to our values of Artistic Excellence, Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Fiscal Responsibility. The Guthrie Theater is located in the historic Mill District along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the largest city in the state, Minneapolis offers a large variety of parks, lakes, great food, festivals, malls and more.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Guthrie Theater would like to acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the Dakota People and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for the position.