Major Gifts - Sr Philanthropy Advisor

About Food For The Poor

Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. "Join us in our mission to serve the poorest of the poor."

Overall Responsibility:

The Sr Philanthropy Advisor in the Major Gifts department plays a critical role in advancing the mission of Food For The Poor (FFTP) by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity donors. This role is responsible for managing a dynamic portfolio of major and principal gift donors, building meaningful relationships, and aligning donor interests with high-impact funding opportunities that support both immediate relief and long-term sustainable development initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Serving as a trusted advisor, the Sr Philanthropy Advisor delivers a high-quality, mission-driven donor experience that fosters deep engagement, inspires transformational giving, and strengthens long-term partnerships. Through strategic portfolio management and collaboration across the organization, this role directly contributes to expanding FFTP’s impact, enabling the organization to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions, and positioning FFTP as a leader in faith-based development work.

Duties:

Portfolio Management & Donor Engagement

• Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 125–150 major and principal gift donors and prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized engagement strategies that deepen relationships and increase giving.
• Lead all stages of the donor lifecycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct consistent, meaningful donor interactions (in-person, virtual, and phone) to strengthen engagement.

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Build and manage an annual solicitation pipeline aligned with individual and team revenue goals.
• Secure five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts in support of FFTP programs and initiatives.
• Align donor interests with funding opportunities that demonstrate measurable impact and sustainability.
• Collaborate with organizations’ Strategic Partnerships Department on donor acquisition strategies.
• Partner with internal teams to develop compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications.

Donor Experience & Stewardship

• Deliver a high-quality, personalized donor experience that reflects FFTP’s mission and values.
• Ensure consistent communication, transparency, and follow-through with donors.
• Facilitate donor participation in engagement opportunities, including site visits and mission trips.

Collaboration & Organizational Alignment

• Work collaboratively with Marketing, International Programs, and other stakeholders to ensure a donor-centric approach.
• Contribute to donor acquisition strategies and broader fundraising initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and activity tracking within CRM systems.
• Provide regular updates on portfolio performance, pipeline progression, and revenue forecasting.

Travel & Field Engagement

• Travel domestically to meet with donors and strengthen relationships.
• Participate in international mission trips to connect donors with program impact, including:
• Showcasing funding opportunities
• Observing projects in progress and completed initiatives
• Strengthening donor commitment through field experiences

Professional Standards & Development

• Adhere to ethical fundraising standards, including those of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• Actively pursue professional development to stay current with fundraising best practices.
• Model FFTP’s CRUSE principles: Collaboration, Right Things Right, Urgency, Stewardship, and Engagement.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• CFRE or CAP designation preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in major and principal gifts fundraising
• Proven track record of closing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts
• Experience managing donor portfolios and building long-term philanthropic relationships
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing to team-based goals

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with high-capacity donors
• Ability to align donor passions with organizational priorities and program impact
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline
• High level of organization, time management, and attention to detail
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft 365 tools
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Flexibility to engage with donors outside standard business hours when required
• Valid driver’s license required
• Commitment to and alignment with FFTP’s Christian mission and values