Senior Friendship Centers

Seeking a Dynamic:

Advancement Officer

For more than 50 years, Senior Friendship Centers has been making a difference in the lives of seniors in Southwest Florida. We are seeking a relationship-driven and results-oriented Advancement Officer to join our team.

The Advancement Officer will play a key role in securing significant philanthropic support for Senior Friendship Centers and the Senior Friendship Centers Foundation. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of major and planned gift donors and prospects, developing and executing strategic fundraising plans, and building meaningful relationships that inspire long-term engagement and giving. The role includes identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, as well as expanding the organization’s leadership-level supporters.

We are looking for someone who is entrepreneurial, highly organized, and donor-focused, with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or a related field, with demonstrated success in major gift cultivation and solicitation. Experience managing donor portfolios, closing significant gifts, and working with fundraising databases is essential. Familiarity with planned giving, donor engagement strategies, and community relationship-building is strongly preferred.

At Senior Friendship Centers, our mission is to build vibrant communities by advancing wellness, connection, and enrichment throughout the journey of aging. Serving older adults across multiple counties in Southwest Florida, we provide vital programs and services that improve quality of life and strengthen our communities every day.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), Monday–Friday position with occasional evening and weekend outreach events. We offer a robust benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid time off; paid holidays; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; and—most importantly—the chance to do meaningful work with an organization that truly cares. If you’re ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you—apply today!

Essential Functions:

   Major and Planned Giving

• Manage an assigned portfolio of major and planned gift donors and prospects with intent to form deep relationships, identify specific areas of interest, and increase giving.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual donors at the $5,000 level or higher, with an emphasis on maximizing revenue. Personally solicit through face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward Legacy Society members for SFC and SFC Foundation in Sarasota and Venice, as well as in Charlotte, Lee, and DeSoto Counties.
• Meet minimum annual fundraising goal tied to individual donor portfolio. Develop donor solicitation plans for entire portfolio resulting in strategic, targeted asks.
• Develop and meet annual targets for donor visits, gift proposals, closed gifts, and planned gift commitments.
• Collaborate with Advancement Team to secure event sponsorships.
• Implement strategies to grow membership of the Legacy Society, in collaboration with the Advancement Team.
• Become an expert on Senior Friendship Centers and convey that knowledge to donors in a manner that inspires philanthropic support.
• Draft and coordinate correspondence to donors, including gift agreements, letters, email updates, and reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely records are maintained in the database for my donor communications.
• Collaborate with Advancement Team to develop and manage giving circles.

Development Events

• Collaborate and assist as needed with planning and execution of signature fundraising events as well as donor cultivation and stewardship events, including Legacy Society events.

   Organizational

• Enhance a culture of philanthropy at Senior Friendship Centers, and help to educate staff and board on major and planned giving.
• Represent organization as required at outside events to build community awareness, cultivate, and steward donors and prospects, and strengthen community partnerships.
• Participate in professional development opportunities related to major and planned giving, stewardship, and the general development field.
• Attend staff meetings, training, and seminars as required.
• Must comply with all Senior Friendship Centers personnel policies.
• Must protect the safety and health of staff, volunteers, participants, and others by observing and following the organization’s safety and incident protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Volunteers.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work environment may vary between locations and include stairs, office space adaptation when traveling, and a moderate noise level. 
• Senior Friendship Centers is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.

Other Duties:

Please note: while this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the primary requirements of the job, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to add or remove duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs, or technological developments) dictate.

Education, Experience, Licenses, and Certifications:

Required Minimum Qualifications-

• A minimum of five years in nonprofit fundraising, or similar environment, with success in cultivation and solicitation of major gifts and/or planned gifts. Years of experience in financial, estate and/or philanthropic planning, law, and trust administration fields may substitute.
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques, including moves management, the ability to lead and participate in all aspects of the gift cycle, and knowledge of technical aspects of giving vehicles.
• Proven track record in individual gift fundraising, managing a large portfolio, including experience closing gifts of $10,000 and higher.
• Experience in public speaking, leading presentations, and use of social media.
• Proficiency in prospect research (internet and software) and maintaining records in donor database.
• Advanced computer skills that include Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint), and other software as needed.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, or commensurate professional experience to provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and ability for satisfactory performance in this position.

Preferred Qualifications-

• CFRE certification.
• Familiarity with Raisers Edge, other Blackbaud products, or similar databases.
• Knowledge of or familiarity with Sarasota County community leaders.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods standing, sitting at a desk, and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds.
• Must be able to access various departments of a given location.

Travel:

• Up to 25% travel may be required.
• A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance are required for all work-related travel.    

Additional eligibility requirements:

• Satisfactory clearance of a fingerprint-based level II background screening and pre-employment substance abuse testing is required. 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement:

It is the policy of Senior Friendship Centers to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities.

All applicants must pass a Level 2 Background Screening. Level 2 background screening is Florida's highest level of background check. It is required by Section 435.04, Florida Statues for individuals working in positions of responsibility or trust. Level 2 screening helps ensure that people who care for children, seniors, and vulnerable populations are safe and trustworthy.

To Learn More Click Here: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Salary : $5,000