Individual Giving Officer
Department: Development
Reports to: Director of Development
FLSA Status: Not Covered
Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) exists because students across Houston face a myriad of barriers to success, whether it’s because they face mental health issues or are at-risk of dropping out of school. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Job Summary:
As a member of the Development team, the Individual Giving Officer implements a focused individual donor development plan with the goals of identifying potential donors, cultivating relationships and soliciting gifts from current and prospective individual donors of all levels of giving, as well as then stewarding all donors. In addition, this role is responsible for developing strategies and goals for the Development team’s Annual Giving program to grow and steward all donors.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Determining Individual Giving Fundraising Goal
a. An overall annual fundraising goal is set by the Development team. The Individual Giving Officer is responsible for leading efforts to determine the Individual Campaign annual fundraising goal.
b. Align work efforts with the CIS Strategic Plan.
Planning/Implementing Fundraising Goal
a. Develop and execute a plan which includes a moves management strategy, implementing a relationship-focused fundraising process to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors, moving them from initial awareness to sustained giving. This involves tracking personalized “moves” – such as meetings, calls, note-writing or events – to build trust and increase engagement, ultimately increasing donor retention and gift sizes.
b. Reach a greater range of major donor individuals, donor-advised fund individuals, family foundations and planned giving individuals.
c. Prepare personalized solicitation packages that focus on individuals’ needs, funder interests and recognition, as appropriate.
Donor Management
a. Manage a portfolio of 100+ current and prospective donors at all giving levels.
b. Drive strategies for all phases of the gift cycle: identifying and qualifying new prospects, initiating contact with donors, facilitating donor outreach and engagement meetings as appropriate, and implementing stewardship initiatives.
Other Duties as Assigned
Required Skills/Abilities:
Valid Texas Driver License.
Ability to develop successful strategies and an actionable framework for major and mid-level gifts.
Ability to collaborate with Executive Leadership, Development Team, Development Committee and Board members on gifts of all levels.
Knowledge of and experience with Raiser’s Edge and prospect research tools.
Ability to build rapport with prospects, donors, volunteers and the public with diplomacy, discretion and customer-service orientation.
Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communications skills.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required.
4+ years of experience in fundraising, with relevant work in individual giving and major gifts programs, preferred.
Advanced degree and/or CFRE certification, preferred.
Work Environment:
Hybrid – Remote and In-Office
Travel within the Greater Houston area required
Compensation and Benefits:
Base Pay: Starting at $75,613
Other Pay: Business Mileage Reimbursement
Benefits: See Employee Benefits at www.cishouston.org/careeers