Philanthropy Officer

Job Title: Philanthropy Officer

Department: Advancement

Reports To: Director of Individual Philanthropy

Pay range $65,000 - $75,000 /annually 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Cultivate and grow a portfolio of approximately 300 mid-level donors and prospects with giving capacity ranging from $500–$9,999 annually, prioritizing meaningful relationships that inspire renewed, increased, and long-term support.
• Achieve an average of 15-20 meaningful donor connections per month through visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and personalized correspondence that deepen engagement, generate donor insight, and move donor relationships forward.
• Lead a thoughtful qualification process to identify and engage high-potential donors, building trusted relationships that strengthen annual support and prepare donors for future major gift and/or planned giving opportunities.
• Create and implement individualized engagement plans that reflect each donor’s interests and motivations, with thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen connection and encourage movement along the donor pipeline.
• Partner closely with curatorial, education, conservation, horticulture, and senior leadership colleagues, as well as volunteer leadership, to create meaningful donor experiences and connect donor interests with Newfields’ mission and impact priorities.
• Assess and advance opportunities for non-cash gifts such as donor-advised funds, IRA qualified charitable distributions, appreciated securities, and other complex assets, while recognizing and referring planned giving opportunities as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Advancement team members to ensure donors experience a seamless philanthropic journey, including thoughtful transition into major and planned giving portfolios when appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with Advancement team to develop donor-centered recognition and stewardship strategies that celebrate impact, strengthen loyalty, and encourage continued engagement with Newfields.
• Support and participate in donor cultivation events, exhibition openings, tours, and other engagement opportunities that foster authentic relationships with donors and prospects.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive donor records, contact reports, moves management activity, and pipeline tracking within Raiser’s Edge NXT to support personalized and strategic donor engagement.

Other duties may be assigned.  To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or graduate-level study preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant fundraising or relationship-management experience required, including demonstrated success in donor cultivation, stewardship, and philanthropic relationship development. Experience within an arts, cultural, or nonprofit institution preferred.

ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Must have exceptional interpersonal skills and be able to communicate professionally and diplomatically with a diverse group of major donors, board members, and executive management team.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to donors and employees required.  Persuasive writing skills required.  Must demonstrate initiative and follow-through.  Must be able to work effectively across multiple departments and at all levels of the organization.  Ability to think creatively and develop effective solicitation materials and correspondence required. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate mathematical figures and ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to analysis membership statistics.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, spreadsheet, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Skills are required in the areas of organization, computer, and customer service.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position.