Gift Officer

Bird Alliance of Oregon • Portland, OR

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Gift Officer plays a key role in advancing Bird Alliance of Oregon’s leadership giving program. They cultivate, solicit, and steward transformative gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. This position will design and execute an engagement strategy that connects donors deeply with our mission ensuring they feel informed, valued, and inspired to invest in our shared future. By building and sustaining meaningful relationships, this role strengthens the organization’s financial sustainability while upholding Bird Alliance of Oregon’s core values of conservation, equity, and accountability.

This position reports to the Director of Development and works closely with the Executive Director, Associate Director of Development, Donor Experience, and other senior staff to align fundraising strategies, deepen donor relationships, and support integrated campaigns.

Requirements

• Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employees or others.
• At least 5 years of experience in related fields or similar experience.
• Experience cultivating and closing five- and six-figure major gifts, developing donor strategies, and effectively cultivating and stewarding major donors.
• Ability to work with and communicate with a wide range of internal constituents, including Board Members, senior management, program staff, finance, and volunteers.
• Outstanding written and verbal skills to persuasively convey the mission of Bird Alliance of Oregon to diverse constituencies.
• A strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, particularly in outdoor spaces.
• A passion for local conservation, environmental education, and wildlife rehabilitation.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, high-volume, multifaceted, results-oriented work environment.
• Must have the flexibility to frequently travel (mostly in the metro area) and work some evenings and weekends. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be proficient in research and relevant analysis, including navigation of databases and online resources.
• Strong working knowledge of the broad philanthropic landscape, prospect research methodology, best practices, and evolving trends in philanthropy is highly preferred.
• Ability to analyze issues, identify priorities, manage projects, and make decisions expeditiously.
• Working knowledge of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (Bird Alliance of Oregon uses Raiser’s Edge NXT).
• Strong ability to convey a variety of complex projects succinctly in written and verbal communications. Proficient in communicating about environmental justice and creating equitable outdoor spaces.
• Exceptional relationship building, interpersonal, verbal/written communication, and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven.

Responsibilities

• Manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 100–150 individual, foundations, and corporate donors and prospects, focusing on gifts in the $5,000+ range.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to deepen engagement and inspire increased giving over time.
• Create compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications tailored to donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Identify, qualify, and migrate emerging donors into the major gift pipeline using data insights, referrals, and proactive outreach.
• Conduct regular personal outreach via in-person visits, calls, written updates, and events to maintain meaningful and mission-centered relationships with donors.
• Collaborate with leadership and program staff to match donor interests with Bird Alliance of Oregon’s priorities and initiatives.
• Support the Director of Development in creating strategic fundraising plans.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development to establish annual fundraising goals, metrics, and strategies across individual, foundation, and corporate giving.
• Assist with organizational budgeting and revenue forecasting to inform development planning and resource allocation.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of campaign- and initiative-based fundraising efforts (e.g., capital campaigns, major donor campaigns, etc.).
• Assist the Donor Experience team in planning and executing donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Ensure timely, personalized follow-up with donors after meetings and events.
• Represent the organization at external events, meetings, and networking functions.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity within the development team.

Benefits

• Medical insurance: 100% payment of premiums for medical and dental insurance, for employees only
• Competitive leave benefits include two (2) weeks of paid vacation during a staff member’s first year of employment, accrual of eight (8) hours of paid sick time per month, eight (8) recognized paid holidays as well as 40 hours of flexible holiday time per year (Prorated to date of hire), and family leave.
• 401(k) 3% match
• Ability to attend free or subsidized courses at Bird Alliance of Oregon
• Substantial discount at our Nature Store, including optics

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed