Senior Philanthropy Manager

Gods Pantry Food Bank•Lexington, KY

About The Position

God’s Pantry Food Bank is a hunger-relief organization serving more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and meal programs across 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Its mission is to reduce hunger by working together to feed Kentucky communities, with a vision of a nourished life for every Kentuckian. The Senior Philanthropy Manager works in the Development department and reports to the Vice President of Philanthropy. The position identifies, qualifies, solicits, closes, and stewards major gifts of $5,000 or more, primarily from high-net-worth individuals. It also develops strategic donor requests and reports in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team, in alignment with department goals and plans. This full-time, exempt position involves donor and stakeholder engagement, fundraising planning, and coordination with senior management, volunteers, board members, and colleagues. It operates in a typical office environment, requires frequent communication with donors and stakeholders, and includes travel in Kentucky for donor and vendor meetings. Infrequent national and/or overnight travel may be required for professional development. Occasional evening, weekend, or on-call work may be required for events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
At least 5 years of successful portfolio management experience, with a proven record of success in major and/or planned gift fundraising.
Strong critical-thinking skills to align organizational needs with donor opportunities.
Strong planning skills, including anticipating tasks, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and working effectively as priorities shift.
Experience writing solicitation letters, proposals, and stewardship materials.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn Raiser’s Edge.
Adaptability and creativity in responding to rapid change and unusual demands on time and effort.
Ability to maintain excellent working relationships and a positive atmosphere with staff, donors, volunteers, neighbors, and others representing the organization.
Ability to use a computer and office equipment, including phones, calculators, printers, and copy machines.
Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information with donors and stakeholders in person and over the phone.
Ability to travel within Kentucky for donor and vendor meetings; infrequent national and/or overnight travel may be required for professional development.
Availability for occasional night, weekend, or on-call work for events.

Responsibilities

Qualify, solicit, close, and steward major and planned gifts from high-net-worth individuals, as well as gifts from corporations and foundations, through visits and other direct personal contact.
Enlist senior management, volunteers, and board members in cultivating and soliciting major donors and prospects in alignment with department goals and plans.
Coordinate cultivation, recognition, and stewardship activities with other team members as needed.
Oversee the development and growth of the food bank’s legacy giving society.
Meet annual goals for personal visits, solicitation proposals, and planned gift asks.
Monitor and report relationship-management activity using Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge CRM.
Assist with short- and long-range planning to support and implement fundraising goals and objectives.
Assist with fundraising events and related volunteer opportunities, which occasionally occur at night and on weekends.
Attend and participate in required educational programs and staff meetings.
Remain knowledgeable about the organization’s programs, services, and events.
Speak to the public and make presentations on behalf of the organization as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned.