Director of Donor Engagement

About Operation Food Search: 

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 27 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger.  

Our Mission is to heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow. 

Our Vision is a region where everyone has equitable access to the food they need to lead healthy lives. 

Our Goals are to: 

1. Meet the immediate need for food for children, individuals and families by providing high-quality nutrition through our distribution network. 
2. Empower long-term skills through nutrition education and by teaching how to shop and prepare healthy food on a budget. 
3. Champion change through advocacy, innovative programs and by addressing systemic inequities. 

Position Summary: 

Operation Food Search is looking for a passionate and experienced fundraiser who is ready to engage with a community of dedicated supporters who care about solving hunger. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Donor Engagement will play a key leadership role in annual, legacy, and special project fundraising efforts.  With a particular focus on working with individual donors throughout the giving cycle, the Donor Engagement Officer will learn the individual passions and motivations of donors and create a customized, personal approach to every donor interaction. The Director of Donor Engagement will have one direct report, a Donor Engagement Manager, to be hired mid-2027. 

Salary:  83,673.00 - $104,702.00 

Essential Functions: 

• Grow a portfolio of donors through identification, qualification, cultivation and stewardship.  Approach donor strategy with the longevity of the organization as well as the donor’s immediate intent in mind, integrating planned, endowment, and long-term stewardship plans as part of the solicitation and cultivation process. 
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of OFS’s programs and funding priorities. 
• Record donor interactions, relationships, and other relevant information in CRM. 
• Conduct and/or coordinate prospect research to create strategies for engaging individual donors. 
• Lead donor cultivation and stewardship events as needed. 
• Create donor affinity groups and engage those groups in OFS’s mission. 
• Leads engagement with third parties doing fundraising on behalf of OFS. 
• Partner with CDO on expanding legacy giving through creative stewardship strategies, marketing and resulting data findings. 

 To Apply: Please submit your application and include your resume and cover letter at https://www.operationfoodsearch.org/careers/  

Education and/or Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising 
• Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, stewardship, and relationship-building activities 
• Experience working specifically with individual donors and key volunteers 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Passion for OFS’s hunger relief mission 
• Goal and data focused, energetic professional with a track record of building strong donor relationships 
• Excellent communication skills and a drive to consistently exceed donor expectations 
• Ability to develop strong working relationships across OFS, cultivating a collaborative environment and enhancing team effectiveness. 
• Strong computer skills with MS Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Teams 
• Knowledge of CRM systems like Donor Perfect or Blackbaud 
• Detail-oriented, organized, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced non-profit environment 

 Special Requirements: 

• Occasional travel required for meetings, events, and conferences 
• Flexibility in working hours for occasional special events after-hours or weekend activities 
• Willingness to cover other OFS duties that don’t fall under regular job duties 

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: 

• Sedentary inside office work with limited exposure to weather conditions 

Benefits – FT Positions 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage 
• HRA, HSA, and FSA 
• 401(k) retirement plan 
• Vacation and sick time, paid holidays and birthday
• Short and long-term disability income 
• Company-paid term life and AD&D insurance 
• Voluntary employee-paid term life and AD&D insurance 
• Employee assistance program 
• Wellness support 
• Potential for student loan forgiveness, if qualified 
• Potential for Short term Incentive Plan/STIP

 For more information about OFS, please visit our website at www.operationfoodsearch.org.