What are the responsibilities and job description for the Development Officer position at Banyan Community?
Organizational Background: Founded 28 years ago, Banyan is a community development organization rooted in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis. Our work is grounded in a holistic, strengths-based approach and sustained through trust-based relationships that respond to the complex realities of poverty. By removing barriers to access and expanding opportunities for educational success, we partner with youth, families, and neighbors to support long-term stability and growth. We invite those who share our values to join us in this work and contribute to meaningful, lasting change.
Position Summary: The Development Officer is responsible for leading a long-term, donor-centered, and comprehensive development program that sustains and expands Banyan’s mission. This role will strategically identify, cultivate, and secure support from a diverse range of funders including individuals, corporations, and foundations to ensure the financial resources needed for continued growth and impact.
The Development Officer works collaborate closely with the Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and other organizational stakeholders to set, implement, and evaluate annual fundraising and marketing priorities and goals. The Development Officer must have the ability to navigate successful one-to-one relational fundraising while centering the community served, utilizing community-centric fundraising principles, and staying grounded in Banyan’s organizational values
Donor Cultivation & Management: The Development Officer will manage a personal portfolio of individual donors and high-capacity prospects, and lead donor engagement initiatives including but not limited to:
- Support the growth of the individual giving program, including major gifts and any future campaign strategies.
- Conduct regular donor meetings, developing customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect
- Prepare and deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and reports tailored to donor interests and giving capacity
- Oversee the design and execution of donor recognition and stewardship plans that deepen engagement and loyalty
- Manage the planned giving program to develop and sustain planned giving strategies that resonate with our donor base, thereby securing future funding
- Oversee communications with portfolio donors, including gift acknowledgements, donation requests, and special materials
- Collaborate with Banyan’s leadership team, board and grant writer to segment donors effectively, ensuring targeted and personalized engagement
Strategic Leadership: The Development Officer is responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive development program that encompasses grants, major gifts, and individual giving. This position will design cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align with Banyan Community’s mission and strategic priorities, ensuring sustainable growth in annual giving revenue. This includes:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-year strategy to grow individual giving revenue, including grants, mid-level giving, digital campaigns, and major gifts
- Establish clear fundraising goals, performance metrics, and donor engagement plans in collaboration with leadership
- Partner with the leadership team, board members, grant writer and key volunteers to cultivate and solicit donors
- Accountable for achieving fundraising targets and reporting progress to the Board of Directors.
Board & Volunteer Engagement: Provides strategic support to the leadership team and board by preparing materials, managing board giving, and equipping board members with the training and tools needed to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors. This may include:
- Create presentation materials and reports for leadership team, development committee, and board as needed
- Work with the Development Committee and board members to identify, cultivate, and solicit individual donors
- Manage the annual board giving cycle in partnership with the Executive Director and Development Committee chair
- Provide board training and tools to strengthen their role in fundraising, with the intent of building a major giving pipeline/business intelligence through peer-to-peer outreach
Position Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree required in communications, marketing, public relations or related field and 5-10 years proven success in nonprofit fundraising
- Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is an asset
- Strong written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and triage multiple objectives with deadlines
- High level of computer literacy, including online databases, spreadsheets, experience with Donor Management Systems including CRM, eTapestry, Blackbaud software
- Must be able to work onsite Monday-Friday
- Valid drivers license and clean driving record
Pay and Benefits:
- Full time salary DOQ starting at $70,000 annually
- Medical, Long Term, Short Term Disability, and life insurance employee premiums covered 100% by Banyan Community
- Simple IRA
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Paid holidays
- Vacation and Personal
- Paid bereavement time