Our client seeks a Donor Relations & Fundraising Officer to serve as a member of our fundraising team and help drive growth in our annual giving and sponsorship programs. This role is part of a small, cross-functional team, working closely with Communications teams.
The Donor Relations & Fundraising Officer will provide leadership and initiative to develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, retain, and close gift relationships with assigned individuals, corporations, faith-based groups, and community organizations to meet a significant annual revenue goal. This is a relationship-forward role requiring strong public presence, excellent communication, and comfort with public speaking and presentations. The ideal candidate is a proactive fundraiser who enjoys meeting new people, telling compelling stories, and turning relationships into meaningful support for Habitat’s mission.
Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Donor Development
- Establish with the development team a systematic strategy to actively identify, cultivate, solicit, and close commitments from new and existing donors to meet or exceed assigned revenue goals.
- Manage an assigned portfolio of prospects and donors, moving them through the donor pipeline.
- Lead donor engagement efforts to retain, upgrade, and track annual giving supporters and sponsorship partners’ activities in the donor database/CRM.
Donor Solicitation & Relationship Management
- Work independently to conduct face-to-face visits, possible virtual meetings, and other relationship-building activities to secure assigned sponsorships and annual gifts.
Campaigns, Presentations & Communications Collaboration
- Create and execute, with the Communications Team, assigned solicitation campaigns (mail, email, virtual, website, presentations, proposals, etc.) to compassionately and effectively articulate the organization's story.
- Represent the organization at community events, faith-based gatherings, corporate meetings, and volunteer activities.
Planning, Reporting & Operations
- Work with the Development Team to establish annual revenue goals for the budget; provide accurate and timely progress reports.
- Grant administration support (tracking deliverables/timelines/compliance; maintaining grant documentation with program/finance)
- Grant reporting + drafting narrative language with organizational leadership (proposals/renewals/funder communications)
Events & Community Engagement
- Assist in hosting and supporting events on- and off-site (including some nights and weekends).
- Build strong internal relationships with program staff to stay current on the organization's work and bring impact stories to donors.
- Professional Development
- Actively seek and participate in professional continued education to strengthen fundraising skills and stay current on best practices.
Professional Development
- Actively seek and participate in professional continued education to strengthen fundraising skills and stay current on best practices.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2+ years of successful fundraising experience, including a proven record of securing gifts/sponsorships or comparable revenue generation.
- Previous financial experience (budgeting, reporting, analysis, or related work) and fundraising experience is expected.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to listen well and engage, inspire, and persuade.
- Comfort with public speaking and developing presentations
- Strong relationship-building skills with a diverse range of constituents and a commitment to maintaining high-quality donor stewardship.
- Ability to manage multiple complex priorities and meet deadlines.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
- Experience with donor databases/CRMs is a plus.
- Experience supporting grant administration and reporting (narrative, outcomes, and compliance) is a plus.
Additional Requirements / Working Conditions
- Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs.
- Must be willing to work occasional nights and weekends
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred