Job purpose

The Development Officer assists with planning and implementation of outreach and development activities for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The Development Officer is responsible for establishing and implementing a wide range of tailored fundraising strategies and procedures to cultivate and grow relationships with donors, including individuals, civic groups, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and companies in an effort to increase engagement and financial support. Alongside the Development Team, the Development Officer is expected to be a team player who takes initiative in supporting the work of all members of the team.

This position is responsible for performing highly skilled fundraising duties with expertise in solicitation and donor relations, presentations and public speaking. This position coordinates with all other key members of the Development, Marketing, Operations and Programs Departments and other members of the Food Bank management team. This position reports to the Director of Development.

Essential Duties (including but not limited to)

• Cultivate and manage an assigned caseload of existing donor relationships with individuals, civic groups, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and the business community in order to raise private giving support.
• Responsible for identification and cultivation of prospective donors to be added to existing caseload.
• Through identification and discovery, recognizes high capacity potential for referral to the Development Director for a potential major gift.
• Assist with developing strategies to deepen donor engagement for lapsed donors.
• 
  Assist in the design and implementation of a stewardship plan, including writing and assisting in the process of gift acknowledgements.
• Assist in the design and implementation of a donor recognition program and ensure donors receive the appropriate recognition as outlined.
• Represent the Food Bank and our mission at various business/community events, forums and check presentations with the comfortable ability to speak to both small and large groups.
• Capture information for entry into the CRM database regarding donor cultivation and stewardship activities, interests, relationships, life events, and information about capacity for philanthropic giving.
• Prepare periodic fundraising reports, including evaluation and recommendations for future planning.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development in the creation of fundraising strategic plans, timelines and revenue budgets related to donor caseload and assigned fundraising focus areas.
• Create proposals, solicitations materials, impact reports and donor agreements as appropriate and in consultation with the Director of Development and in collaboration with the Marketing Department and in adherence to Food Bank brand standards.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Department on events, cause marketing and other similar activities as needed.
• Identify, solicit and secure sponsors and ensure sponsors receive outlined benefits and sponsorship funding goals are met.
• Ensure appropriate promotional materials are developed and events, cause marketing and similar activities are appropriately publicized and the Food Bank is well represented.
• Help identify donors to engage via virtual food drives.
• Work cooperatively to improve fundraising initiatives and effectiveness.
• Participate in the Feeding America (FA) Development, Marketing and Communications (DMC) monthly webinars.
• Maintain relationships with FA Development staff.
• In conjunction with the Food Bank Data Team, manage the FA Corporate Cause-Marketing distribution and stewardship with those corporate partners.
• Assist the Grants Management Team with corporate foundation relations including grant applications and grant reports.
• Conduct tours of the Food Bank and ensure follow up with each tour participant to cultivate relationships.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality regarding all donor records, transactions, data, research and communications, respecting the anonymity of each donor’s identity, as directed by the donor and department policy.
• Perform other job functions as requested or assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Excellent communication (written and verbal), organizational and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as with diverse variety of individuals and groups as an effective, positive team member.
• Excellent computer skills in word processing, spread sheet, database, email and internet.
• Impeccable professional, ethical and legal business practices.

Qualifications (Required Education and Experience)

• College or advanced degree in communications, marketing, business or related field is required.
• Previous fundraising, sales or management experience demonstrating a proven track record in securing new and renewed funding opportunities or contracts is required; minimum three years.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Valid Nevada driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Occasional overnight travel to attend meetings and conferences may be required.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials desirable but not required.