Individual Giving Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Individual Giving Officer

Job Summary

The Individual Giving Officer is responsible for executing strategies that grow and strengthen the South Carolina Aquarium’s annual giving societies and programs under the strategic direction of the Senior Giving Programs Officer.

The position manages donor engagement within Conservation Stewards and Watershed Society, representing annual giving in the $500 to $9,999 range, and identifies opportunities to deepen donor relationships and move annual donors toward major giving of $10,000 and above.

The Individual Giving Officer independently manages a defined portfolio of donors and prospects and implements annual appeals, stewardship, recognition, and engagement initiatives designed to increase donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and philanthropic support. The position works closely with the Senior Giving Programs Officer and colleagues throughout Advancement and Strategic Communications to translate fundraising strategy into effective donor communications, experiences, and giving opportunities. 

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of annual giving donors and prospects, developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, renewal, upgrade, and stewardship activities.
• Actively engage new and existing donors within Watershed Society and Conservation Stewards, building relationships and facilitating increased giving and deeper engagement over time.
• Identify donors with interest, capacity, and engagement to move toward major giving and partner with the Senior Giving Programs Officer and other gift officers to facilitate appropriate next steps.
• Execute the Aquarium’s annual giving appeal strategy under the direction of the Senior Giving Programs Officer, coordinating direct-mail and digital appeals in collaboration with Strategic Communications, including content development, audience segmentation, production, scheduling, and performance tracking.
• Implement donor segmentation strategies for appeals and annual giving initiatives, providing results and donor insights to help inform future strategy.
• Track and evaluate response, revenue, participation, and other relevant measures associated with annual giving initiatives and provide results to the Senior Giving Programs Officer to support ongoing program evaluation.
• Serve as project lead for the execution and production of the Annual Report, working under the strategic direction of the Senior Giving Programs Officer and collaborating with multiple divisions to coordinate content, donor recognition, financial reporting, review, and production.
• Manage the onsite recognition Make Your Mark program, including donor communication, content coordination, recognition fulfillment, and implementation.
• Execute stewardship and recognition initiatives for annual giving donors and giving society members in alignment with the broader donor stewardship strategy.
• Create and coordinate donor engagement opportunities and experiences that strengthen relationships with Conservation Stewards, Watershed Society members, and other annual giving donors.
• Manage, steward and cultivate community/organization donors and their benefits
• Work collaboratively across Aquarium divisions to identify potential stories, programs, priorities, and giving opportunities that can be translated into compelling donor communications and solicitations.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information in Altru in coordination with the Advancement Systems Manager, including contact reports, notes, acknowledgments, follow-ups, moves, and other relevant information.
• Collaborate with other Advancement gift officers to ensure coordinated cultivation and stewardship across the Aquarium’s donor community. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a fluent understanding of Aquarium programs and priorities to effectively communicate the organization’s mission and philanthropic needs to donors.
• Support the Aquarium’s mission by participating in Aquarium-sponsored programs and events and representing the organization at appropriate public functions.
• Follow South Carolina Aquarium Gift Acceptance Guidelines, Policies and Procedures and remain informed about relevant fundraising and charitable giving trends.
• Maintain a donor-centered service approach, responding to donors with professionalism, attentiveness, and an appropriate level of urgency.
• Support the Advancement team in executing cultivation and stewardship events, both onsite and in target regions.
• Coordinate volunteer support as needed for donor engagement projects and initiatives.
• Adhere to South Carolina Aquarium policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as requested by Advancement leadership. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, annual giving, donor engagement, stewardship, and relationship management.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to thoughtfully cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment while effectively executing within established strategies, goals, and priorities.
• Ability to analyze fundraising results and donor information and communicate observations and opportunities to Advancement leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate donor records.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and maintain a high level of donor service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint preferred. Training in Altru will be provided. 

Education and Experience

• Experience with annual giving, donor relations, stewardship, direct response fundraising, or individual giving preferred. 

Supervision of Others

• None. 

Working Conditions

• Regularly required to attend evening events and occasional weekend events.