Development Officer

The Greater New Orleans Foundation has been a trusted philanthropic leader in the 13-parish Greater New Orleans region for 100 years. Our vision is to create a vibrant, sustainable, and just region for all, and our mission is to drive positive impact through philanthropy, leadership, and action. As a community foundation, our resources are comprised of more than 900 charitable funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and a deep commitment to the Greater New Orleans region. As a civic leader, we bring together passionate people from nonprofits, business, government, and philanthropy to address our region’s greatest challenges.

The Foundation is an inspiring, engaging, challenging, thought-provoking, diverse, and dynamic place to work and advance your career. We pride ourselves on investing in high quality staff members and encouraging success by allowing individuals the opportunity to both contribute and enhance their skills and talents as well as to share their unique perspective as we address community challenges. Our workplace environment nurtures a diverse team and results in a broad base of staff knowledge and talent.

Position Summary

The Development Officer is a collaborative, independent, detail-oriented, and motivated professional. This individual is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors for the annual fund campaign, sponsorship solicitations, and special development initiatives, which include working with established and prospective donors and fundholders. The successful candidate will support donors, families, and professional advisors interested in establishing Donor Advised Funds and individual planned giving opportunities. The Development Officer reports to the Vice President for Philanthropy and will work with others at the Foundation to ensure the highest quality donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.

Principal Duties

Design, staff, and lead the annual fund campaign effort from inception to conclusion, with a focus on the solicitation of a targeted group of current and prospective donors.
Develop relationships with individuals and businesses interested in serving as sponsors for Foundation-supported opportunities, including GiveNOLA Day, Impact 100, Celebration of Black Philanthropy, Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans, and others.
Provide timely customer support and expert advice to fundholders and donors interested in maintaining a philanthropic relationship with the Foundation.
Develop an in-person visit and solicitation schedule with assigned donors and prospects that supports the goal of developing meaningful philanthropic partnerships.
Proactively identify and visit future prospects who are not familiar with the role of a community foundation in order to assist with advancing their philanthropic goals and intentions.
Thoughtfully deepen relationships with current donors and fundholders, leading to greater investments in the Foundation.
Manage a portfolio of assigned donors and prospects and be able to effectively participate in the moves management process.
Manage information updates to the Foundation’s donor database, FIMS, working collaboratively with other members of the Foundation staff to ensure accurate and timely inputs as it relates to donor contact information.
Develop a broad understanding of all areas in which the Foundation works, including grantmaking and programs, and actively seek opportunities for collaboration and cross-area work with other Foundation departments and stakeholders.
As assigned, provide occasional support for special projects and initiatives in other program areas or departments.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.
Demonstrated experience in donor-centered fundraising, major gifts, prospect research, or planned giving.
Minimum three years of development experience.
Ability to work independently and develop new philanthropic opportunities.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to be an effective public speaker.
Ability to establish effective relationships with prospective donors, current donors, professional advisors, board members, and community foundation colleagues.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in working with highly sensitive and confidential information and with diverse donor and prospect populations.
A passion for community involvement and philanthropy; an entrepreneurial spirit; effectiveness in working as part of a team; a high level of personal and professional integrity and ethics.
Genuine interest in the Greater New Orleans region and a dedication to promoting the Foundation’s mission.
Demonstrated experience with databases, research tools and office productivity software such as FIMS, Raiser’s Edge, Research Point, and MS Office.
Ability to seek support and direction when necessary.
Receptiveness to feedback and course correction; a willingness to learn.
Demonstrated openness and flexibility when asked to take on new assignments.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience; the salary range starts at $85,000. This position is exempt, and the employee will be eligible for the Foundation’s competitive health and benefits plan.

The Development Officer must be located in, or willing to relocate to, the Greater New Orleans region. The Foundation operates in a hybrid working environment, with staff working in-office three days per week and the opportunity to work remotely two days per week.

To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume, in confidence, to careers@gnof.org with the subject line “Development Officer.” The announcement will remain posted until the position filled.

The Greater New Orleans Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.