Reporting to the Managing Director, Individual Giving, Atlantic Flyway/Northeast, the Development Officer serves as a member of Audubon’s national fundraising team. The Development Officer is responsible for managing a portfolio of 200 donors/prospects who live across the northeast (NY, CT and VT primarily) who are currently contributing or capable of contributing between $500 and $10,000 annually in support of Audubon’s work. The Development Officer will be tasked with engaging assigned donors/prospects with the goal of moving them toward increase investment while also working to identify and engage new donors in this gift range.
Key metrics for success will include donor engagement (number of meetings, calls, correspondence with donors/prospects) and revenue (value of gifts; number of solicitations; and success rate of solicitations).
This position represents Audubon to the public throughout the region, collaborates with other like-minded organizations, and interacts with a broad array of members, donors, prospective donors, other Audubon staff, local Audubon chapters, and volunteers. This position is based in our National headquarters in New York City.
- Manages an active portfolio of 200 mid-level donors/prospects. Create and implement personalized cultivation/solicitation/stewardship plans for each donor within portfolio.
- Prepares with attention to detail and ensures timely delivery of written materials (print and online) to current and prospective donors, including, but not limited to, cases for support, grant applications, letters, proposals, stewardship reports.
- Effectively partners with colleagues to ensure that assigned donors/prospects have an optimal level of interaction with volunteers, leadership, and program staff.
- Develops strategies for attracting new and diverse mid-level donors and proactively forges relationships with individuals and institutions who are not yet invested in the organization.
- Helps organize and engages prospects and donors in special events, tours, and field trips.
- Regularly reviews portfolio and donor strategies with other development team members to refine approaches, share successes, and problem solve.
- Assists colleagues with fundraising and friend-raising events, leveraging them as a tool for the cultivation of prospects and donors.
- Assists with the coordination of appeals and other solicitations throughout the year.
- Participates in development team calls, shares work plans across teams, and enlists key staff as partners in cultivation visits, when appropriate.
- Attends team meetings and training opportunities in order to interact with leaders and development colleagues across Audubon. Participates in external skills building opportunities.
- Using donor database, records timely reports on all donor interactions.
- Experience building donor relationships and closing a high volume of annual gifts.
- Thoughtful writer, capable of telling a concise and compelling story in the context of institutional letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports.
- Must be comfortable and productive in a fast-paced and results oriented environment.
- An autonomous self-starter, one who is able to manage projects, establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility, and meet deadlines with little direct supervision.
- Exceptionally strong communicator; a strategic thinker with analytical skills, and strong attention to detail.
- Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills.
- A can-do attitude and tolerant, friendly personality with a great sense of humor.
- A flexible approach to work, as well as the willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, when needed.
- Frequent travel throughout assigned territory is expected (60% of time, predominately locally within NYC/ CT).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, as well as comfort with donor databases. Experience with Salesforce desired, but not required.
- Interest, understanding, and commitment to the conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat is critical, as is the ability to communicate Audubon's mission, goals, and programs effectively and with the highest professional standards.