Job description
Position Summary
The Philanthropic Giving Officer plays a critical role within the major gifts team at the National Office by driving strategic donor cultivation and helping to meet significant revenue goals. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of 100–150 major donors and prospects with the capacity to give $25,000 or more. The role includes identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts to support the Foundation’s mission, with annual revenue targets ranging from $2M to $5M.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage an active portfolio of 100–150 donors to raise $2M–$5M annually through strategic cultivation and solicitation – 75%
- Use CRM systems to drive precision fundraising and track donor activity – 10%
- Maintain a strong understanding of Foundation programs, campaigns, and initiatives – 10%
- Support development team events and contribute to internal training – 5%
Additional Responsibilities:
- Ensure adherence to internal processes, KPIs, and organizational policies
- Develop personalized, data-driven engagement plans for each managed account
- Cultivate long-term relationships with donors through direct outreach (visits, phone, email, letters) to maximize satisfaction and giving
- Work remotely in a self-directed manner, consistently meeting activity and communication goals
- Collaborate with the Prospect Researcher to build detailed donor profiles and maintain accurate Salesforce records
- Identify new donor prospects through EFA network engagement, events, and the broader epilepsy and philanthropic communities
- Actively participate in weekly development team meetings and check-ins with supervisor
- Support the planning and execution of donor cultivation events, as needed
- Partner with volunteers and staff across national and field offices to enhance donor engagement
- Travel regionally and nationally (10–20%) and occasionally work evenings or weekends, as necessary
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, communications, business administration, or a related field
Experience Requirements:
- Minimum of 7 years of fundraising experience, including at least 3 years focused on major gifts
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with CRM systems (Salesforce strongly preferred)
- Knowledge of major gift fundraising strategies
- Experience working within a nonprofit affiliate model is preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and goal-oriented
- Exceptional customer service and relationship-building skills
- Strong command of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
- Proven track record securing significant donor commitments ($10,000+)
- Excellent writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Familiarity with SharePoint and best practices in CRM data management
- Ability to maintain professionalism and poise in all settings
- Demonstrated independence in project ownership and timely execution
- Basic knowledge of medical or research terminology related to epilepsy is preferred
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities
Work Environment, Travel, and Physical Demands:
- Full-time position (35 hours/week), Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
- Operates in a remote and professional office setting; extensive computer use required
- Travel expected 10–20% to build donor relationships and attend organizational events
- Regular virtual participation in Foundation meetings and trainings is required
- Must live within an hour of a major metropolitan airport
Pay Range:
- $85,000 - $95,000
