Foundation Development Officer

Job Summary The Development Officer is responsible for building relationships and generating 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. Responsible for demonstrating LSSC’s core values of Caring, Communicating, Collaborating, and Celebrating when interacting with students, employees, visitors, and community members.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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 and achieve established goals for donor contacts, solicitations, dollars raised, retention, and portfolio movement.
• Manage the planning and coordination of fundraising and stewardship events, including event sponsorship solicitation and corporate support, that strengthen donor relationships and highlight Lake-Sumter State College’s impact. 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.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for donor meetings, community engagement, and special events. Ability to travel among campuses and to off-site locations as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of nonprofit operations, fundraising principles, and program development.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and donor database systems (e.g., 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.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication, including tactful and persuasive interactions with donors and stakeholders.
• Skilled in prospect research and the use of online networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn) to identify and engage potential donors.
• Skilled in coordinating 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.

ABILITIES/GENERAL:

• Promote a common purpose consistent with stated College goals and demonstrate a commitment to students and the learning environment.
• Possess knowledge of general written standards and procedures utilized, and have the ability to read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manuals related to the job tasks.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond to supervision, guidance, and direction in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies.
• Provide quality customer service by creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Present a professional image in word, action, and attire.
• Demonstrate professionalism in dealing with a diverse population while understanding and respecting each other’s views of the world, personalities, and working styles
• Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the College’s standards of ethical conduct.
• Apply effective techniques to create working relationships with others to achieve common goals; successfully communicate and collaborate with others to achieve goals.
• Demonstrate skills necessary to look at situations and processes critically to make recommendations for improvement.
• Strong service orientation and ability to effectively work as a member or leader of a team by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and considering larger organizational goals rather than individual concerns. Includes the ability to build &/or support a constructive team spirit where members are committed to the goals and objectives of the organization.
• Plan, organize, and successfully multitask to meet multiple deadlines and frequently new work tasks within required timeframes. Proven flexibility to successfully work on diversified projects at a fast and accurate pace.
• Effectively manage change and adaptability.
• Adhere to all workplace safety rules, safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
• Ability to work various hours, including nights, early mornings, and weekends.
• Ability to travel amongst various campuses and attend College events, on or off campus, as required.

Minimum Qualifications & Education

• Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years fundraising experience, specifically in annual giving and major gifts, from a combination of individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Preferred:
• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.

Benefits

Lake-Sumter State College provides a wide range of affordable, competitive, and comprehensive benefits that are a vital part of your total compensation package. These programs are centered around health and wellness, financial security, and professional development.