Position Summary

Florida Humanities is seeking an experienced and dynamic Development Officer to lead our fundraising initiatives and drive our mission of promoting the humanities across Florida. The Development Officer will play a critical role in advancing our organization’s goals by developing and executing strategies for increasing philanthropic support. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in development and fundraising, with proficiency in Raiser’s Edge software to cultivate and manage donor relationships and track contributions and engagement effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

● Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising plans to meet or exceed annual revenue goals.

● Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.

● Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives.

● Create and manage the annual development budget, tracking income and expenses to ensure financial goals are met.

● Specific areas of focus are but not limited to (1) Annual Corporate Support, (2) Membership Cultivation and Retention, (3) Forum Magazine sponsorship

Donor Relationship Management

● Utilize Raiser’s Edge to manage donor information, track engagement, and analyze giving trends.

● Oversee the creation of personalized communication strategies for major donors and prospects.

● Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgment and stewardship of all donations and pledges.

Reporting and Analysis

● Generate and analyze reports from Raiser’s Edge to assess fundraising performance and donor engagement.

● Prepare regular reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors on development activities, progress, and results. Team Leadership and Collaboration

● Supervise and mentor development staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.

● Work closely with the Executive Director to align development strategies with organizational goals and objectives.

● Collaborate with other departments to integrate fundraising efforts with programmatic and marketing initiatives.

Strategic Planning

● Contribute to the strategic planning process by providing insights on fundraising trends, opportunities, and challenges.

● Continuously evaluate and refine development strategies to adapt to changing circumstances and maximize effectiveness.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

● Minimum of 5 years of experience in development and fundraising, with a proven track record of success (meeting or exceeding goals) as well as comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit development including major gifts, planned giving, special events, proposal writing, direct marketing, donor and prospect cultivation, donor stewardship and digital fundraising.

● Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or similar donor management software is required.

● Strong understanding of donor cultivation and stewardship practices.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.

● Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

● Strong analytical skills and experience with fundraising metrics and reporting.

● Must be detail-oriented and organized

Desired Attributes

● Passion for the humanities and an understanding of the role they play in community enrichment.

● Creative thinker with a strategic mindset and problem-solving abilities.

● High level of professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information.

● Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.