Come join our expanding team and be part of something amazing!

THE POSITION:

The Gift Officer is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with individual donors, supporters, and key stakeholders to advance the organization’s mission and secure funding for programs and initiatives. This role involves managing a personal portfolio of donors, developing strategies to grow giving, and executing fundraising activities that drive revenue and engagement. The Gift Officer works closely with the development team and senior leadership to implement comprehensive fundraising strategies while ensuring a high-quality donor experience.

Key Responsibilities (may include, but not limited to):

• Manage a personal portfolio of individual donors and prospects (may include annual fund to major gift donors).
• Develop and implement written strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct face-to-face donor meetings, solicitations, and stewardship activities.
• Draft proposals, solicitation letters, and other donor communications.
• Solicit individual donors for cash gifts, in-kind donations, and planned giving opportunities.
• Identify and secure new Third Party Event opportunities within the community.
• Work segments of donors/prospects such as monthly donors, volunteers, or annual fund donors to get them to make a first-time gift or increase their giving year over year.
• Plan and support fundraising initiatives, events, and campaigns to engage donors and raise funds.
• Manage donor funnel, pipeline, and cycle, including projecting giving and tracking progress toward goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments to ensure effective fundraising execution.
• Maintain accurate records in fundraising software, including donor interactions, gifts, acknowledgments, and tax documentation.
• Ensure proper recognition of donors in publications and other materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain donor relationships that lead to increased giving.
• Experience in making in-person asks and drafting proposals.
• Knowledge of the donor funnel, donor cycle, donor pipeline management, and moves management strategies.
• Ability to solicit gifts, including planned giving and in-kind donations.
• Experience identifying and securing Third Party Event opportunities.
• Ability to upgrade annual donors and convert volunteers into donors.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfort using fundraising software, office technology, and other tools to manage donor data.
• Experience in major gifts or planned giving highly preferred.
• Experience working with volunteers or committee members preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in fund development, nonprofit fundraising, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 21 years of age or older.
• Experience making in-person asks required.
• Experience drafting proposals required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CFRE Certified or other development certificate preferred
• Experience managing a donor portfolio is highly preferred.
• Experience drafting gift agreements preferred.

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands

The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks.
• Must submit to pre-employment a drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed.
• Valid driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicles for shelter business.
• Must maintain confidentiality and privacy regarding all Children’s Shelter residents' information in accordance with NWACS policy and all applicable Federal and state laws/regulations.
• Attend and participate in mandatory training, staff meetings, and all other events, as required.
• Set, maintain, and communicate appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner per NWACS procedures.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NWACS offers excellent benefits and a competitive salary based on experience. For consideration, qualified candidates must submit a detailed resume.