Foundation Development Officer

Lake-Sumter State College•Clermont, FL

About The Position

The Development Officer builds relationships and generates philanthropic support for Lake-Sumter State College. The position manages a portfolio of leadership annual giving donors and prospects and coordinates annual giving, event sponsorships, Giving Day, and related fundraising initiatives. The Officer identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors while building the pipeline for major and planned gifts. The role demonstrates the College’s core values of Caring, Communicating, Collaborating, and Celebrating when interacting with students, employees, visitors, and community members. It involves collaboration with College leadership, faculty, and staff to identify funding priorities and opportunities for private support, along with coordination of donor visits, tours, and presentations. The position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends and travel among campuses and to off-site locations as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
At least three years of fundraising experience, specifically in annual giving and major gifts, from a combination of individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Knowledge of nonprofit operations, fundraising principles, and program development.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and donor database systems, such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge.
Experience developing creative fundraising initiatives and special events.
Experience working with or supporting foundation boards or nonprofit governing boards.
Experience in donor cultivation, relationship building, and solicitation of charitable contributions.
Written and verbal communication skills, including tactful and persuasive interactions with donors and stakeholders.
Prospect research skills and ability to use online networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, to identify and engage potential donors.
Ability to coordinate fundraising activities, volunteers, and website or digital content related to development efforts.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a diverse academic environment.
Ability to work various hours, including nights, early mornings, and weekends.
Ability to travel among campuses and attend College events on or off campus as required.
Ability to read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manuals related to job tasks.
Ability to respond positively and receptively to supervision, guidance, and direction.
Ability to provide quality customer service and create a welcoming and supportive environment.
Ability to present a professional image in word, action, and attire and to act consistently with the College’s ethical conduct standards.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, build constructive working relationships, and contribute to shared goals.
Ability to critically assess situations and processes and recommend improvements.
Ability to plan, organize, multitask, meet deadlines, work accurately at a fast pace, and adapt to change.
Ability to adhere to workplace safety rules, laws, regulations, standards, and practices.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited institution.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 leadership annual giving donors and prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Develop and execute annual giving and fundraising strategies, conduct donor outreach, and secure new and increased philanthropic support.
Qualify prospects for major and planned giving in coordination with the development team.
Achieve established goals for donor contacts, solicitations, dollars raised, retention, and portfolio movement.
Plan and coordinate fundraising and stewardship events, including event sponsorship solicitation and corporate support.
Evaluate results and recommend improvements to increase philanthropic support and donor engagement.
Maintain accurate and timely donor contact reports, prospect strategies, proposals, portfolio activity, and next steps in the Foundation’s donor management system.
Use prospect research and donor data to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors while ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
Collaborate with College leadership, faculty, and staff to identify funding priorities and opportunities for private support.
Coordinate campus visits, tours, and presentations for prospective donors and funding partners.
Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for donor meetings, community engagement, and special events.
Travel among campuses and to off-site locations as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.