World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Development Officer for Gift Planning at our Washington, DC office. The Development Officer cultivates, solicits, closes, and manages the stewardship of donors and prospects who are interested in including WWF in their will, trust or other long-range financial and estate plans. Also works with donors who are interested in life income gift arrangements. Works toward achieving World Wildlife Fund’s fundraising goals for gift planning and the overall Development department.
- Develops and maintains ongoing relationships with donors and prospects. Conducts stewardship visits and gift planning prospects visits to enhance commitment to WWF, screens for planned gift marketing purposes, and helps generate repeat gifts. Refers qualified prospects to the regional philanthropy officer as appropriate.
- Prepares life income gift proposals for donors and their advisors and follows up via telephone, correspondence, or visits as needed.
- Upon notification of future gift intention or closure of life income gift, ensures donors are thanked and contracts are drafted promptly and properly. Records donor information, and updates records as needed in appropriate database.
- Responds to inquiries or leads generated and follows up with appropriate cultivation, and stewardship tactics. Identifies additional giving opportunities and implements approved projects for increasing and cultivating prospects and donors. Works across regional philanthropy and annual giving on collaborative efforts to increase bequest commitments, inquiries, and close gifts. Keeps abreast of programmatic developments to share with donors, as appropriate.
- Provides the gift planning director and staff with information and insights gleaned from extensive donor contacts in order to help refine marketing materials, program offerings and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Position requires a minimum of 4 years of demonstrated success in fundraising, including the cultivation and solicitation of donors.
- Knowledge of conservation issues is preferred.
- Knowledge of development practices and techniques is required.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Flexible and responsive
- Excellent organizational ability
- Interest in and commitment to the goals of WWF is essential
As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.