The Organization
Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and is the 13th largest of more than 750 community foundations across the United States. As a community foundation, our resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and a deep commitment to the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation has approximately 2,000 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations, assets of more than $1.14 billion. Grantmaking from the funds benefits a broad spectrum of community life within Pittsburgh and beyond with more than 2,000 grantees receiving funding annually. The Foundation typically awards grants of more than $40 million each year. Grantmaking from the Foundation’s discretionary funds leverages a broad range of resources and enables the Foundation to be an important change agent for the region. Approximately 85 percent of all grant-making dollars stay within the Pittsburgh region.
Position Overview
The Donor Services Officer is responsible for implementing a comprehensive donor relations program to promote interaction with and recognition of donors at all levels. The program goal is to enhance relationships with donors by gaining in-depth knowledge of their values, interests, and financial capabilities, matching their interests with Foundation programs, and being an active solicitor of donors to grow the size of their funds. The officer will lead or participate in projects to form donor partnerships and engage donors in the Center for Philanthropy, when appropriate. The Donor Services Officer will also have familiarity with planned giving strategies and how to integrate planned gifts into conversations with existing donors.
The ideal candidate will be highly detail oriented; being able to keep track of each individual relationship with donors and their specific needs. All interactions with donors must be carefully recorded in the database to ensure that annual contact goals set by the department are achieved. The position requires the ability to work independently and develop solutions to a variety of problems that may arise.
Essential Duties
- Manage and execute the current donor relations process, which includes making and coordinating phone calls, meetings, correspondence, site visits, seminars, surveys, etc.
- Work with Director of Donor Services/Planned Giving Specialist, Donor Services Officer, and Scholarship Associate to ensure goals of the department are met, that any new donor receives an orientation within 6 months of establishing a fund and any existing donor receives an annual review.
- Complete approximately 100 individual donor visits per year and provide appropriate follow-up for these relationships.
- Educate donors, or connect donors to Program staff when appropriate, such that consideration may be given to expanding donations and growing their fund to benefit these causes.
- Explore creative ways to engage donors within the Center for Philanthropy.
- Work with the Director of Donor Services/Planned Giving Specialist and Senior VP for Development and Donor Services to donors of the work going on surrounding 100% Pittsburgh.
- Provide information to donors, as requested, to ensure that they are making educated grant making decisions.
- Leverage the standard fund management practices of the Foundation to create agreements that are easily and consistently administered in accordance with the donor’s intent.
- Keep detailed records of donor’s interests, ages, family engagement, potential opportunities for growth.
- Participate and assist in various events and donor engagement opportunities which enhance relationships with donors or potential donors, such as the wish book, site visits, donor appreciation events, etc.
- Work with multi-generational families at The Pittsburgh Foundation to engage them in giving opportunities and connect them with appropriate staff and nonprofits to steward their grant making experience.
- Maintain a clear understanding of TPF policies related to all fund types, but particularly donor advised, scholarship and agency endowment funds.
- Maintain an understanding of rules and regulations for fund expenses, including those related to fundraisers.
- Assist the Director of Donor Services/Planned Giving Specialist to identify donors with planned giving potential.
- Conduct presentations to prospective donor or advisor groups, when assigned.
- Work collaboratively and closely with all staff at The Pittsburgh Foundation.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Requires minimum of seven (7) years professional experience in a donor relations or development position
- Exceptional customer service attitude
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
- Experience with development / sales contact systems
- High levels of accuracy, productivity and initiative are required
- High degree of professionalism and the ability to work independently and solve problems
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Possess ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines under pressure
- Works well within a dynamic team environment
- Flexibility in meeting changing demands
- Knowledge of planned giving strategies a plus
- Sense of humor
Preferred Qualifications
Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge
How To Apply
Interested candidates should submit resume and cover letter, including salary requirements to jobs@pghfdn.org.