Philanthropy Officer

Location : Wilmington - Downtown Campus, NC
Job Type: Full Time Staff
Job Number: 26-00089
Division: CFCC Foundation
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Position Description
DEFINITION:
The Foundation Philanthropy Officer will be an accomplished professional who brings demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors for large Annual and Endowed gifts. Working with the Executive Director, the Foundation Team and Board of Directors, the Foundation Philanthropy Officer will manage a portfolio of major and planned giving donors and prospects as appropriate.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• Receives direct supervision from the Executive Director of the Foundation.
• Exercises no direct supervision.

Duties & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
ESSENTIAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTION STATEMENTS :

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions :

• Work in close collaboration with the fundraising team to develop and execute ongoing strategies for qualifying donors to ensure retention, growth of donor contributions, as well as recapture and upgrading gifts from previous donors. ?Work collaboratively with other departments across the college and Foundation staff to create customized solicitation strategies matching the objectives of the organization and the interests of the donor/prospect.

• Works closely with Foundation Executive Director and, when appropriate, College leadership to manage prospect assignments, record contacts, and prepare leaders with training, materials and strategies necessary to be successful.

• Solicit assigned donor portfolios through face-to-face visits including preparation of personalized materials.

• Responsible for identification, cultivation, and solicitation of donors and moves management strategies for individual and corporate donors for significant contributions to the CFCC Foundation for major gifts, capital and tangible asset gifts, as well as academic program support.
• When directed, executes planned giving solicitation efforts and ensures retention of existing planned gifts.
• Ensures high retention and delight for existing major donors, including stewardship and appropriate recognition for all major donors
• Maintains a high-quality stewardship process for all donors.
• Ensures that stewardship and reporting requirements are met to sustain successful partnerships by maintaining detailed records of solicitation activities in donor database, Raiser's Edge.
• Ability to work on a team within a collaborative environment and ensure the highest client service and internal teamwork results.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Other Important Functions:

• Pursues professional development to keep informed on best practices in resource development field.
• Maintains up-to-date information about the College in order to make presentations when needed.
• Maintains positive working relationships with College administrators, faculty, staff and students concerning resource development functions.
• Ensure confidentiality and security of donor information, both internally and externally.
• Attend staff meetings and support college committees as assigned.
• Attend Foundation Board and committee meetings.

• While it is not the sole responsibility of the Philanthropy Officer, all Foundation team members are expected to work collaboratively in the proper execution of comprehensive donor communications throughout the year, including, but not limited to, appeals, stewardship mailings, invitations, digital content, and more.

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of :

• Strong knowledge and experience using Word, Excel
• Experience with donor database software (Raisers Edge) preferred
• Knowledge of Association of Fundraising Professionals' code of ethical conduct and the Donor Bill of Rights.
• English usage including proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of Best Practices for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies and techniques of fundraising.
• Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about the giving programs of corporations and individuals.
• Demonstrated record of success in raising $25,000+ donations from individuals and corporations.

Ability to :

• Interact positively with donors, students, employees, immediate colleagues and alumni.
• Utilize self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals.
• Communicate well, both verbally and in written form.
• Utilize organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills.
• Maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Participate in Foundation sponsored activities/events and initiatives which may require occasional evening/weekend hours.
• React and adapt to changing situations appropriately.
• Listen carefully to, understand donors' needs, and proactively respond to those needs in a consistent and timely manner.
• Recognize opportunities: identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals.
• Interpret and apply CFCC goals, objectives, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
• Making observations
• Reading and writing
• Communicating with others
• Operating assigned equipment
• Handling varied tasks simultaneously
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:
  1. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  2. Operating assigned equipment
  3. Handling varied tasks simultaneously
  4. Bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 10 pounds
• Maintain mental capacity, which allow the capability of:
  1. Making sound decisions
  2. Responding to questions
  3. Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Minimum Education/Training

• Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of 3 years of fundraising, sales or other experience commensurate with the job description.

Minimum Experience

• Candidate should have a proven record of accomplishment of successful fundraising capabilities.
• Candidate should have proven knowledge of and involvement in community organizations.

Preferred Education/Training, Experience, Skills

• Five to seven years of foundation related experience in a community college or other higher education setting
• Certified Fundraising Professional and/or Non-profit Management education would be a plus.

Supplemental Information
Special Instructions to Applicants :

• This position REQUIRES UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS be submitted in addition to the application. Please have these documents ready to upload when applying.

• Candidates are required to submit OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for all degrees obtained prior to their first day of work or hire date. If highest level of education is High School diploma or equivalent, proof of completion is required.

• Candidates who have obtained their education outside of the US and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated, at their own expense, by an outside credential evaluation service as equivalent to the Baccalaureate or Master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

• To claim veterans' preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to Human Resources during the application process. Human Resources will verify eligibility.

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

Cape Fear Community College, its faculty and staff, and the Board of Trustees are fully committed to the principles and practice of equal employment and educational opportunities. The College does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees in any programs and activities provided on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), gender (including gender identity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), disability, religion, age, genetic information, veteran status or any other protected status as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and any other applicable statutes and CFCC policies.
State of NC benefits