Position Overview:
The Mid-Level Gifts Officer is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and growth of the organization's annual giving program. This position develops and executes initiatives that acquire, retain, steward, and upgrade donors while increasing annual fund revenue and donor participation.
The Mid-Level Gifts Officer manages a portfolio of annual donors and prospects, oversees the organization's monthly giving program (Sustainer Society), and leads annual giving efforts related to legacy and planned giving. Through data-driven fundraising strategies and meaningful donor engagement, this position strengthens the donor pipeline and advances long-term philanthropic support for the organization's mission.
The Mid-Level Gifts Officer serves as a key member of the Development Team and collaborates with leadership, program staff, volunteers, and the Marketing & Communications Team to achieve fundraising goals.
Essential Responsibilities: Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
- Manage a portfolio of annual donors and prospects through personalized outreach, relationship-building, and stewardship activities.
- Conduct donor meetings, phone calls, virtual visits, and written correspondence to strengthen donor engagement.
- Develop and implement donor stewardship plans that encourage long-term support and increased giving.
- Coordinate donor recognition and appreciation activities.
- Identify donors with the capacity and inclination for increased giving and facilitate movement through the donor pipeline.
- Collaborate with Major Gift Officers and Development leadership to transition qualified donors into appropriate gift portfolios.
Sustainer Society (Monthly Giving Program)
- Lead the development, growth, and stewardship of the organization's monthly giving program (Sustainer Society).
- Develop and implement strategies to recruit new monthly donors through annual giving campaigns, donor outreach, and digital fundraising initiatives.
- Create donor conversion strategies that encourage one-time donors to become recurring donors.
- Develop upgrade strategies that encourage existing sustainers to increase their monthly gift commitments.
- Monitor monthly giving acquisition, retention, and revenue performance and recommend strategies for continued growth.
- Design and implement stewardship and recognition opportunities that enhance Sustainer Society engagement and loyalty.
- Analyze donor data to identify recurring giving prospects and upgrade opportunities.
- Establish annual goals and performance metrics for monthly giving participation, revenue growth, and donor retention.
Legacy Giving & Planned Giving Strategy
- Support annual giving efforts related to legacy and planned giving donor identification, education, cultivation, and stewardship.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase awareness of planned giving opportunities among donors and supporters.
- Identify and qualify planned giving prospects through donor data analysis, relationship management, and donor engagement activities.
- Collaborate with Development leadership and external advisors, as appropriate, to support planned gift conversations and documentation.
- Maintain accurate records of planned giving intentions, expectancies, and legacy commitments.
- Track and report planned giving pipeline activity and Legacy Society growth.
Data Management & Reporting
- Maintain accurate donor records, constituent interactions, and fundraising activities within the donor database.
- Analyze fundraising performance and donor behavior to support strategic decision-making.
- Prepare regular reports on annual giving, monthly giving, donor retention, and campaign performance.
- Ensure compliance with organizational gift processing, stewardship, and reporting procedures.
- Utilize data to evaluate fundraising effectiveness and guide future strategy.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with the Marketing & Communications Team to ensure fundraising priorities are reflected in donor communications.
- Collaborate with program staff and leadership to identify compelling funding opportunities and impact stories.
- Support volunteer engagement and ambassador activities that strengthen fundraising efforts.
Qualifications: Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
- Minimum of two years of nonprofit fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, or relationship management experience.
- Proven success in annual giving, donor stewardship, fundraising, or customer relationship management.
- Experience utilizing donor databases or CRM systems.
- Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
- Ability to analyze data and apply insights to fundraising strategies.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the organization.
Preferred
- Experience managing annual fund campaigns.
- Experience growing recurring giving or monthly donor programs.
- Knowledge of donor lifecycle management and fundraising best practices.
- Experience with donor segmentation and fundraising analytics.
- Familiarity with planned giving and legacy giving programs.
- Experience working with volunteers, fundraising committees, or donor ambassadors.
Working Relationships:
The Mid-Level Gifts Officer is a member of the Development Team and works closely with Development Leadership, Major Gift Officers, donor services staff, volunteers, and organizational leadership.
Marketing & Communications is responsible for brand management, content creation, graphic design, website management, social media, public relations, and communications production.
Working Conditions:
- Work Environment: Office
- Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8 hours per day. Occasional weekends and evenings.
- Travel Requirements: Occasional travel (primarily day travel) required. Purpose of travel includes donor meetings in 18-county service region, professional development initiatives, and/or continuing education (as applicable).
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary: Competitive based on experience
- Benefits Package: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Simple IRA Retirement Plan, Paid Leave and Wellness Days off.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug-Free Workplace:
We are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. This policy ensures a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for all employees.
This job description does not encompass all the duties of the role. Supervisors or managers may assign additional tasks as needed. The job description can be revised at any time and is not a contract for employment, nor does it alter the at-will employment status with Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN. Both Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN and the employee have the right to terminate employment at any time for any reason.
Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Non-Profit Fundraising: 2 years (Required)
- Donor Database : 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
