Development Officer

The Development Officer plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding corporate and institutional donors to support the Foundation’s annual fund campaign, sponsorship opportunities, including Give NOLA Day and other special initiatives, and programmatic and grantmaking activities. The Development Officer is a collaborative, detail-oriented, and motivated professional who will work closely with corporate and institutional prospects and donors interested in establishing donor-advised funds, agency and employee assistance funds, and other giving vehicles at the Foundation. The Development Officer reports to the Vice President for Philanthropy and will work closely with colleagues in the Development and Donor Relations Department and with other team members at the Foundation to ensure the highest quality of donor engagement, stewardship, and service.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Support the comprehensive philanthropic efforts of the Foundation by performing the following essential functions:
• Working closely with the Vice President for Philanthropy and others, design, staff, and lead an annual fundraising plan to meet the goals of the Foundation, with a focus on the solicitation of a targeted group of current and prospective corporate and institutional donors.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with a focus on increasing support from corporations, organizations, and institutions interested in providing sponsorships for Foundation-supported programs, like our Disaster Response and Recovery Initiatives, GiveNOLA Day, Celebration of Black Philanthropy, the Norman C. Francis Racial Equity Endowed Fund, and Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans.
• Working closely with the Vice President for Philanthropy and others, identify, cultivate, and solicit funding from corporations, organizations, and institutions to support certain Foundation grantmaking activities and programs.
• Steward partnerships with corporations, organizations, and institutions interested in establishing donor-advised funds, or other philanthropic funds that will support their own charitable endeavors and/or employee assistance programs.
• Steward partnerships with nonprofit organizations interested in establishing reserve or endowment funds.
• Steward partnerships with for profit and nonprofit organizations interested in establishing employee assistance programs.
• Steward partnerships with indviduals interested in establishing scholarship programs.
• Provide timely customer support and expert advice to corporate, organizational, and institutional donors and fundholders to ensure they maintain a philanthropic relationship with the Foundation.
• Manage a portfolio of assigned corporate, organizational, and institutional donors and prospects and develop a plan to move them toward deeper engagement with the Foundation or investment in the programs that the Foundation supports.
• Proactively identify and qualify new prospects who are not familiar with the role of the Foundation in order to assist with their philanthropic goals and intentions and to garner support for the Foundation’s programs and initiatives.

Required Qualifications
• Proven track record of success in donor-centered fund development programs with a focus on annual giving, major gift, or corporate and foundation fundraising.
• Ability to cultivate and build lasting relationships with current and prospective donors, in particular with leaders and key staff of corporations, organizations, and institutions.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in working with highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to establish effective relationships and communications with colleagues and team members in other departments across the Foundation.
• Receptive to feedback and course corrections and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Genuine interest in advancing the Greater New Orleans region and an understanding of and dedication to promoting the mission of the Foundation.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Experience and Education
• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of five (5)+ years of demonstrated experience in fund development work, specifically in annual giving, major gift, or corporate and foundation relations programs.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with MS Office and familiarity with nonprofit CRMs (e.g. FIMS, Salesforce), project management software, and donor research tools (e.g., WealthEngine, Candid).