Development Officer

Company Description

The Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center serves as a place of belonging and hope for vulnerable individuals in need. Dedicated to addressing the root causes of homelessness, The Light House provides integrated care that helps clients stabilize their health, secure safe housing, and achieve self-sufficiency. Beyond offering basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter, the organization empowers individuals through tailored services, life-changing programs, and solutions for long-term success. Guided by a vision to become a national model of compassionate care, The Light House works tirelessly to break the cycle of homelessness in the community.

Job Summary

The Development Officer is a donor-facing fundraiser focused on growing the donor pipeline and supporting the organization’s annual revenue goals. This role combines a proactive approach to outreach with a focus on execution to move prospects—both individual and institutional—from initial discovery to meaningful philanthropic support. A vital member of the development team, the Development Officer helps drive revenue through disciplined donor engagement, the pursuit of grant opportunities, and impactful storytelling that translates program success into funding.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities

Major Gifts and Grant Fundraising Opportunities

• Manage a portfolio of qualified individual and institutional prospects by identifying new leads, cultivating relationships, and accelerating qualification to meet quarterly fundraising goals. 
• Strengthen donor relationships through thoughtful stewardship, including briefings, impact updates, recognition, and engagement opportunities. 
• Identify new grant revenue streams by researching government, foundation, and corporate opportunities; consolidating application components; and contributing to the development of compelling proposals. 
• Test and implement new fundraising tactics and engagement methods to diversify revenue and modernize the donor experience.

Strengthen Donor Engagement and Communication

• Represent The Light House at Anne Arundel County events, community gatherings, and partner convenings to raise visibility of the mission and deepen donor and stakeholder engagement. 
• Develop compelling letters of inquiry and proposals in partnership with other team members to translate organizational impact into specific funding opportunities.
• Execute individualized cultivation tactics for renewed, existing, and lapsed donors to strengthen the long-term donor base and foster loyalty.
• Drive campaign execution by collaborating with the development team leadership to align outreach efforts with organizational goals.

Cross-Department Collaboration and Project Ownership

• Maintain accurate and timely records in Raiser’s Edge to ensure all contact reports, grant opportunities, and pipeline stages are updated to support team-wide goals.
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar to ensure a steady rhythm of submissions and awards throughout the fiscal year.
• Partner with development leadership to refine fundraising workflows and ensure the successful execution of seasonal appeals and campaigns.
• Build relationships across the organization with key partners such as the community engagement team, and Friends of the Light House to develop a “One Voice” approach, looking to leverage new opportunities for amplifying our impact and streamlining efforts. 

Skills & Abilities

• A proactive relationship-builder with strong interpersonal instincts and a track record of engaging donors and partners.
• A sophisticated and professional communicator who can translate program services into empathetic and compelling stories for a variety of audiences. 
• An initiative-driven fundraiser who uses data-informed insights to manage a donor pipeline and adapt to shifting priorities.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and maintains high attention to detail and accuracy.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years of development experience, with a demonstrated focus on annual fundraising.
• Proven knowledge of the development life cycle, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Demonstrated success in soliciting, closing, and stewarding individual gifts and supporting the grant process.
• Experience with organizational advancement methods, including community relations and donor-centered fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM / donor database software.
• Experience within the Human Services industry or a similar nonprofit sector.
• Eager to become an active and visible presence within the regional philanthropic community.
• Exposure or experience with endowment or capital campaign fundraising is a plus.