Advancement Officer

Summary 

The Advancement Officer is a key fundraising professional and an integral member of Simpson Housing Services’ Advancement team. This role serves as the mid-level/pipeline gift officer and manages a robust portfolio of individual donors and contributing to Simpson’s long-term fundraising capacity.  

The Advancement Officer drives annual giving efforts by building strong donor relationships through effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, while identifying opportunities to deepen donor engagement and increase donations. 

Working closely with the Director of Advancement and Communications and the Advancement team, the Advancement Officer manages a portfolio of approximately 150–300 donors, primarily giving in the $250–$1,000 range. This role is responsible for generating annual revenue through one-to-one solicitations, annual campaigns, event revenue, and volunteer-driven fundraising strategies. This position plays a critical part in strengthening Simpson’s pipeline of philanthropic support. 

Key Responsibilities 

Donor Portfolio Management & Solicitation (40%) 

• Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 150–300 individual donors and prospects in the $250–$1,000 giving range. 

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new and current donors, converting volunteers, first-time and event-based supporters into ongoing annual donors. 

• Manage ongoing prospect research within their donor portfolio and among new donors, volunteers, and event participants to identify opportunities for cultivation, solicitation, and increased giving. 

• Collaborate with the Advancement team in executing multichannel annual giving campaigns including direct mail, email, online giving, and peer-to-peer fundraising. 

• Write compelling donor communications including appeals, acknowledgments, and impact updates. 

• Ensure timely, personalized follow-up with donors and consistent engagement across all touchpoints. 

• Conduct donor outreach through email, phone, events, and in-person meetings. 

• Develop segmentation strategies to improve donor retention and identify upgrade opportunities. 

• Build clear pathways from new and entry-level donors to sustained annual giving. 

• Leverage Art 4 Shelter, Give to the Max, Cook & Connect, and other engagement opportunities to acquire and grow donor base. 

Cook & Connect Volunteer Program Fundraising (25%) 

• Collaborate closely with the Volunteer Engagement Manager in building donor relationships through the volunteer program and serve as the primary donor relationship manager for Cook & Connect. 

• Build and maintain relationships that evolve volunteer engagement into financial support. 

• Develop and execute a fundraising strategy tied to volunteer participation, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 

• Expand individual volunteers and groups into ongoing donors. 

• Identify upgrade opportunities and participation in Art 4 Shelter and other cultivation events. Track and report on donor and volunteer engagement, participation, and donation outcomes. 

Events & Sponsorships (20%) 

• Play a key role in donor and sponsor engagement for key fundraising events, including ticket sales and sponsorship. 

• Contribute to the procurement of artwork and auction items for Art 4 Shelter by identifying and engaging artists, cultivating new relationships, and strengthening connections with returning contributors. 

• Coordinate donor recognition and cultivation events in collaboration with the Advancement team. 

• Participate in planning and executing event tasks, as directed by the Director of Advancement and Communications. 

Data Management & Collaboration (15%) 

• Maintain accurate donor records and track portfolio activity utilizing Giveffect. 

• Analyze donor data and performance benchmarks to support department strategy, deepen donor relationships, and drive year-over-year growth from individual donors. 

• Monitor fundraising progress and provide weekly and monthly updates to the Director of Advancement and Communications. 

• Contribute to team planning, strategy development, and annual fundraising goal setting. 

Required Qualifications 

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a strong emphasis on individual giving and major gifts. 

• Evolve knowledge of and commitment to equity and anti-racism on an individual level and participate in Advancement and Communications Team’s commitment.   

• Participate in meetings, trainings, and workshops hosted by SHS about diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and other related topics. 

• Comfortable with lifting up to 20 pounds and moving items. 

• Valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and ability to regularly work evenings and weekends. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and CRM development data system. 

Desired Experience 

• Demonstrated experience with Giveffect, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT, OneCause, mobile bid apps, or other fundraising platforms. 

• Experience in mission-driven, community-based organizations.