Development Officer

Reporting to the Vice President of Development for Strategic Development, this position is responsible for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts in support of annual operations, special projects, and capital projects. This position’s immediate charge will be to grow the overall donor pipeline with a focus upon the $500 to $10,000 range. At an exciting time of growth for the Zoos, this person will engage prospective donors in creative ways while serving as a positive ambassador for Zoo New England. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 donors, prospects and corporate clients 

• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of contributing gifts of at least $500 annually 

• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit individuals capable of making capital gifts at in a similar range  

• Some evening and weekend work to cultivate and manage prospects and donors 

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Rapidly become familiar and conversant regarding our Zoos, programs, policies and our value proposition  

• Prepare meaningful and effective funding proposals, reports and customized collateral for individual donors, prospects and corporate clients 

• Schedule, manage and attend regular donor meetings 

• Attend committee meetings as and represent the Zoos at networking events 

• Provide executive-level briefing materials in advance of meetings for Vice President of Development and leadership staff  

• Develop strategies for the cultivation and stewardship of major donors and prospects 

• Create strategic events to attract prospective donors and engage them with Zoo New England 

• Identify donors for planned giving
  cultivation  

• Work with donors, friends and volunteers of Zoo New England to identify, cultivate and solicit prospects  

• Manage all information relating to current major donors and prospects in Raiser’s Edge, in a manner that emphasizes the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, thoroughness, and confidentiality 

• Develop annual and monthly plans
  for donor portfolio; monitor productivity and modify as necessary  

• Solicit gifts from donors and prospects, both independently and working collaboratively with other solicitors
  

Minimum Job Requirements 

• Bachelor's degree required,
  master’s degree preferred.  

• Experience working with volunteers and program staff or equivalent 

• Superior written and oral communication skills 

• Excellent research skills 

• Outstanding interpersonal skills 

• Ability to manage complex issues creatively and effectively 

• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully as a member of a team 


• Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned 

Preferred Job Requirements 

• Minimum of 1-3 years demonstrated successful experience in fundraising with a focus on prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.  

• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge, MS Office Suite; Word, Excel, Outlook  

• Philosophical commitment to Zoo New England’s mission 

• Strong initiative and self-motivation; ability to make independent decisions 

• Knowledge of wildlife, environmental and conservation issues highly desirable.