Philanthropy Officer

Company Description St. Petersburg College (SPC) is a public institution dedicated to helping learners achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. With 10 learning sites across Pinellas County, FL, SPC offers a broad range of programs and credentials to support skill development, career advancement, and career changes. The college emphasizes flexible, affordable educational pathways designed to meet the needs of diverse learners and working professionals. SPC fosters an inclusive, student-centered environment focused on achievement, success, and community impact.

Job Title: Philanthropy Officer

Location: St. Petersburg College, FL

Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Reports To: Executive Director of Development

Position Summary

St. Petersburg College (SPC) is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven Philanthropy Officer to lead fundraising efforts supporting SPC’s performing and visual arts initiatives. This role will focus on advancing philanthropic support for SPC’s arts and cultural programs, including the Palladium at St. Petersburg College, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art (LRMA), student arts education, exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, community programming, scholarships, and special events.

The Philanthropy Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, sponsors, foundations, and community partners who are passionate about arts access, arts education, cultural enrichment, and community impact. This position plays a key role in strengthening SPC’s visibility as a cultural and educational leader across Tampa Bay.

Essential Job Functions

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, sponsors, and arts supporters through in-person, phone, email, and virtual outreach.
• Build philanthropic support for programs and initiatives connected to the Palladium at St. Petersburg College and the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art.

·       Secure leadership-level gifts of $1,000 and above in support of the 1927 Presidents Circle.

·       Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 donors and prospects, including individuals, corporations, arts patrons, and foundations.

·       Secure sponsorships and philanthropic investments for exhibitions, performances, lectures, educational programming, and community events.

·       Achieve a minimum of 15 qualified, meaningful donor appointments per month.

·       Prepare donor briefings, sponsorship proposals, reports, and fundraising presentations.

·       Promote unrestricted and programmatic support benefiting student arts education and community engagement initiatives.

·       Collaborate with Palladium and LRMA staff, faculty, and community stakeholders to align fundraising priorities with institutional goals.

·       Represent SPC at cultural, civic, donor, and community events throughout the Tampa Bay region.

·       Plan and execute donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition events connected to the arts and cultural programs.

·       Develop relationships with local and regional arts organizations, corporate sponsors, and philanthropic leaders.

·       Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the Foundation database (Blackbaud Raiser's Edge preferred).

• Support campaign initiatives and special projects connected to SPC’s mission and the Pathway to Better the Centennial Campaign for St. Petersburg College priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ability To

• Work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership and colleagues
• Represent SPC professionally in community and cultural settings
• Work evenings and weekends as needed for performances, exhibitions, and donor events

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional fundraising experience required, with preference given to candidates with demonstrated success raising philanthropic support for performing arts, visual arts, museums, cultural institutions, or arts-related educational programming.
• Proven success in major gift fundraising or philanthropic relationship management preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, metric-driven environment.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.