Strategic Philanthropy Officer

The Strategic Philanthropy Officer is a visionary fundraising leader responsible for cultivating and securing philanthropic investments that advance the mission of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  This role is designed for a strategic thinker and relationship architect who thrives in building deep, values driven partnerships with high net-worth individuals and families capable of contributing $150,000 or more annually.

Reporting to and collaborating with the Senior Director of Individual Giving, the Strategic Philanthropy Officer will design and execute bespoke engagement strategies, steward complex donor relationships, and collaborate across departments to align donor interests with high-impact initiatives.  The Strategic Philanthropy Officer will work collaboratively across Development to build on the Food Depository’s unique donor culture and ambitious goals to elevate and enhance major giving.

This role requires a sophisticated understanding of philanthropic trends, preferably within the Chicago area, campaign strategy, and donor psychology, as well as a proven history of building a portfolio and closing six-and seven-figure gifts.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:


* Manage a tiered portfolio of 50-75 prospects and donors with a focus on qualification and discovery towards gifts of $150,000.

 



* Drive the creation of a 12- to 24-month strategic plan for each Strategic Gift donor/prospect that will serve as a foundational communication plan for each donor and be accountable for execution of these plans for effective moves management in alignment with the team’s strategy, goals and vision.


* Lead cross-functional work groups to track donor management and movement, provide structure and regular communication to leadership, and collaborate to develop transformational giving opportunities


* Plan and implement outreach and cultivation activities, to enhance prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward; conduct in-person or virtual visits with prospects and donors.


* Have a comprehensive understanding of development and GCFD priorities to support donor work, match the interest of prospects/donor


* Recognition and Stewardship
+ Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Donor Engagement to oversee appropriate recognition opportunities for major donors, which may include special events, targeted print and online publications, or program engagement.
+ Collaborate with other Individual Giving Team and Development team members on cultivation and stewardship activities as needed.



* Administrative
+ Prepare comprehensive and sophisticated documents including but not limited to; briefings for the Senior Director of Individual Giving & Chief Philanthropy Officer and colleagues; gift opportunity presentations, gift proposals, budget forecasts, etc.
+ Updates donor records in a timely matter with relevant data including cont...