Development Officer - Annual Giving at Siskin Children's Institute

Description

The Development Officer - Annual Giving is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive annual giving program to build a sustainable pipeline of donors and philanthropic revenue. This role oversees all aspects of direct response fundraising, donor acquisition and retention, special campaigns, and mid-level giving strategies to support the organization’s mission. The Officer will collaborate closely with Director of Development, Marketing, and senior leadership to achieve annual fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-channel annual giving strategy (direct mail, email, social media, peer-to-peer, and digital campaigns).
• Establish annual fundraising goals and metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Design and manage donor segmentation, stewardship, and upgrade strategies for recurring and mid-level donors.

Campaign Management

• Plan and implement giving days, year-end appeals, and other seasonal campaigns.
• Partner with Marketing/Communications to create compelling messaging, design, and content.
• Oversee vendor relationships related to printing, mailing, and digital fundraising tools.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Build and maintain strong relationships with annual giving donors ($1–$10,000 range).
• Develop stewardship plans, including acknowledgment letters, impact reports, and donor recognition opportunities.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate to maximize donor participation and cross-strategy alignment.
• Provide regular progress reports and analysis to senior leadership and the Board.
• Participate in planning and execution of Events.

Data & Analysis

• Monitor KPIs, including donor retention, acquisition, participation rate, and revenue growth.
• Recommend improvements and innovations in annual giving programs.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data, segment donors, and apply metrics-driven decision-making.
• Experience working with donor databases/CRMs and digital fundraising platforms.
• Collaborative, creative, and strategic thinker with a donor-centered approach.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, exempt position.
• Some evening and weekend work required for events and donor engagement.
• Hybrid/flexible schedule may be considered.