Advancement Officer

Position Summary

The Advancement Officer is a dynamic, relationship-focused fundraiser who is passionate about inspiring philanthropy to advance Food Lifeline's mission. This position is responsible for developing and executing strategies that grow the organization's Mid-Level Giving Program by building meaningful relationships with individual donors giving between $1,000 and $9,999 annually.

Managing a portfolio of approximately 150–200 donors and prospects, the Advancement Officer identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors to increase engagement and philanthropic support. Working collaboratively with the Giving Team, this role contributes to achieving the department's annual fundraising goal of approximately $18 million in philanthropic revenue.

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150–200 individual donors and prospects through strategic identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop and execute individualized donor engagement strategies designed to retain, upgrade, and grow philanthropic support.
• Prepare compelling donor communications, proposals, stewardship materials, and gift solicitations tailored to donor interests.
• Utilize moves management strategies to meet established fundraising and relationship-building metrics, including donor meetings, meaningful contacts, solicitations, and stewardship activities.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, and activity documentation within Raiser's Edge.
• Analyze donor portfolios and fundraising results to identify opportunities for growth and improve donor engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with Development, Marketing & Communications, and other internal teams to support integrated fundraising campaigns and donor communications.
• Support annual fundraising initiatives including GiveBIG, Giving Tuesday, matching gift campaigns, direct marketing efforts, and donor stewardship activities.
• Participate in donor cultivation and recognition events, representing Food Lifeline in a professional and mission-centered manner.
• Prepare reports and fundraising updates as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to Food Lifeline's mission and values.
• Builds authentic, donor-centered relationships through active listening, empathy, and effective communication.
• Uses sound judgment and strategic thinking to develop fundraising opportunities and solve problems.
• Effectively manages multiple priorities while maintaining organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Communicates clearly and persuasively in both written and verbal formats.
• Collaborates effectively across departments to achieve shared organizational goals.
• Uses CRM systems, fundraising data, and performance metrics to guide decision making and improve outcomes.
• Exercises professionalism, discretion, and integrity when managing confidential donor information.
• Demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and accountability in a fast-paced environment.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Three to five years of progressive fundraising or development experience, including demonstrated success securing four- and five-figure gifts.
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and building long-term donor relationships.
• Strong understanding of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and moves management principles.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience using donor CRM systems (Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud, or similar).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• Experience within a nonprofit or food bank environment is preferred.

We recognize that valuable experience comes in many forms. We value lived experience, community involvement, volunteer work, transferable skills, and nontraditional career paths as meaningful contributions that can strengthen our team and advance our mission.

Work Environment

• Hybrid position requiring a minimum of three days per week onsite.
• Standard office environment with prolonged computer use.
• May occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for donor meetings, events, and organizational activities.

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt hybrid position working approximately 40 hours per week. The normal schedule is Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with occasional evenings and weekends as needed to support fundraising events and donor engagement.

Food Lifeline is committed to fair, transparent, and equitable compensation practices that support our mission to end hunger in Western Washington. Placement within the salary range is based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and organizational compensation practices.