Development Officer

Company: Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc
Location: Cleveland
Posted on: February 1, 2025

Job Description:

Description:Consider a career that allows you to make a positive impact on others' lives while enhancing your own. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, provided over 50 million meals in 2024 to those in need across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland, and Richland counties.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Mission Statement: We work to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day.
Join the Greater Cleveland Food Bank team and experience a supportive culture of continuous learning and development. We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits, including:

• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay beginning day one
• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous retirement plan
• Wellness programs
• Childcare assistance
• Tuition and Student Loan assistance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Life insuranceApply today and become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to making a difference in the community.
  SUMMARYThe Development Officer is a vital contributor to advancing the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's mission of fighting hunger through building and sustaining strong donor relationships. This role demands a combination of educational qualifications, practical experience, technical proficiency, and outstanding interpersonal skills to effectively engage donors and stakeholders, represent the organization, drive fundraising initiatives, and collaborate successfully with team members and colleagues. The Development Officer will primarily focus on the Food Bank's major gift and planned giving initiatives, managing relationships with high-level donors, long-term supporters, and key volunteers. Responsibilities include overseeing a portfolio of major gift prospects and leading efforts in donor identification, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Additionally, this role will reengage lapsed donors and create strategies to strengthen their connection to the organization. Collaborating closely with the Associate Director of Individual Giving and the Development team, the Development Officer will help design and execute strategies to meet financial goals. This position also involves working with Food Bank leadership and supporters to raise awareness of major and planned giving opportunities, with the ultimate goal of increasing major gift fundraising revenue and expanding the organization's impact.
  Requirements:The following duties are essential to the position, though not exhaustive. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity:
  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to valuing diversity and fostering an inclusive work environment through work, life, or community experiencesMajor Gift Strategy and Execution:
    • Design and implement tailored strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors across all Food Bank initiatives, including the Harvest for Hunger Campaign.
    • Create individualized solicitation plans aligned with organizational needs and donor interests, leveraging research and database tools to identify and engage potential major gift donors from existing constituencies and new prospects.
    • Coordinate and manage solicitation meetings involving leadership, including the CEO, Chief Development Officer, and Associate Director of Individual Giving, to ensure effective donor engagement.Portfolio Management:
      • Oversee a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, conducting regular personal solicitations to meet fundraising goals
      • Develop Individual Stewardship Plans for high-potential donors, emphasizing their importance to the organization's success and implementing strategies to deepen engagement and giving.
      • Track donor interactions and opportunities in Raiser's Edge, ensuring consistent progress through the donor pipeline.Collaboration and Program Development:
        • Partner with the Associate Director of Individual Giving to enhance the Harvest of Hope Society as a resource for major gift prospects.
        • Work with the Development Specialist and Associate Director of Individual Giving to identify planned giving opportunities within your portfolio, promoting bequests and growing the planned giving program, including Tomorrow's Harvest, the Food Bank's Planned Giving Society.Event Coordination and Donor Recognition:
          • Organize and execute recognition events for top donors, as well as initiatives aimed at encouraging higher levels of giving (e.g., community leader events, donor-hosted gatherings, and volunteer opportunities).
          • Plan and host annual major donor events to strengthen relationships and celebrate donor impact such as family and group volunteer events and personalized tours.
          • Prepare personalized stewardship materials, such as appreciation reports and acknowledgment letters, highlighting donors' contributions to the fight against hunger in Northeast Ohio.Cross-Functional Collaboration:
            • Support special events like Market at the Food Bank, Taste of the Browns, and the Annual Meeting by assisting with major donor and prospect engagement.
            • Collaborate with colleagues across departments to maximize donor engagement and fundraising opportunities.Professional Development and Continuous Improvement:
              • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in fundraising and donor stewardship by attending educational programs and staff meetings.
              • Stay informed of industry trends to enhance skills and contribute to the success of the Food Bank's development initiatives.Additional Duties:
                • Actively support and champion initiatives aimed at driving continuous improvement throughout the organization. May participate in one of the following: LEAN council, a kaizen, 5S campaign or other process improvement efforts to support continuous improvement and improved processes within the food bank.
                • Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and goals of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.Supervisory Responsibilities:
                  • N/A QUALIFICATIONS
                    • Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: --- Required commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive work environment as demonstrated through work, life or community experience.
                    • Education and Experience: A four-year college degree or six years of relevant work experience is required. Candidates with degrees must have at least three years of face-to-face fundraising or sales experience, showcasing the ability to build relationships and secure financial support.
                    • Technical Proficiency: Strong skills in Microsoft Office are required, and experience with donor or CRM databases such as Raiser's Edge is preferred.
                    • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
                    • Travel Requirements: Local travel may be necessary.Key Competencies:
                      • Highly motivated and adept at thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
                      • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, set timelines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
                      • Exceptional interpersonal skills to engage donors and prospects with sincerity, enthusiasm, and professionalism.
                      • Ability to effectively represent the Board of Directors and the President & CEO, maintaining strong communication with a wide range of stakeholders, including business professionals, community leaders, volunteers, and staff.Preferred Qualifications:
                        • A deep understanding of and appreciation for the mission of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and its efforts to fight hunger in the Greater Cleveland area.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTThis position involves various physical activities, including frequent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching with hands and arms. Regular use of hands for tasks such as handling, typing, and feeling is required, along with the ability to talk, listen, and hear.
                          • Lifting Requirements: Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
                          • Vision Requirements: Must have close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
                          • Work Environment: Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The typical noise level is quiet.Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000
                            Proud to be a North Coast 99 Employer for 2017-2023
                            Please note that the Food Bank does not sponsor work visas for our positions. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of an initial background check, drug screening, physical examination, and employment verification, and will be completed during the onboarding process.
                            
                            
                            Compensation details: 55000-65000 Yearly Salary
                            
                            
                            
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Keywords: Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc, Warren , Development Officer, Other , Cleveland, Michigan