Job Description

PHILANTHROPY OFFICER

Position Summary

The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for building and strengthening Communities In Schools' future philanthropic pipeline through strategic donor cultivation, planned giving, donor stewardship, and community engagement. This role focuses on identifying, engaging, and advancing individual donors throughout their giving journey while creating pathways for long-term philanthropic investment.

The Philanthropy Officer will lead efforts related to planned giving, multi-year commitments, donor recognition programs, stewardship experiences, and prospect development. Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement and other fundraising staff, this position will help ensure a strong pipeline of future major donors while deepening engagement among current supporters.

Essential Responsibilities

Planned Giving & Future Gifts

• Launch and manage CIS' formal planned giving program.
• Develop strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward legacy giving prospects.
• Educate donors on estate planning and tax-advantaged giving opportunities.
• Build relationships with attorneys, financial advisors, and estate planning professionals.
• Coordinate documentation and stewardship of planned gift commitments. ● Maintain accurate records and projections related to future gift intentions.

Multi-Year Giving & Donor Retention

• Build and manage a portfolio of donors with potential for multi-year philanthropic commitments.
• Develop strategies that encourage sustained giving and long-term donor engagement.
• Partner with annual, major, corporate, and foundation fundraising efforts to identify opportunities for deeper investment.
• Create individualized cultivation and stewardship plans for assigned prospects.
• Advance donors through the cultivation cycle toward larger and longer-term commitments.

Donor Pipeline Development & Prospect Research

• Lead data-informed prospect identification and qualification efforts.
• Analyze donor trends, giving patterns, and engagement history.
• Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities within the community.
• Monitor local business growth, leadership transitions, and community trends to identify new prospects.
• Maintain awareness of Charlotte's philanthropic landscape through community networking and research.

Giving Society & Donor Recognition

• Design, launch, and manage a formal donor recognition and loyalty program.
• Develop giving society structure, naming, benefits, and engagement opportunities.
• Create stewardship strategies that recognize sustained giving and legacy commitments.
• Coordinate exclusive donor communications and experiences.
• Track participation and retention metrics.

Stewardship & Cultivation

• Lead donor stewardship experiences, including stewardship dinners and recognition events.
• Coordinate cultivation events designed to introduce new prospects to CIS.
• Develop donor journey strategies that strengthen engagement from first gift through long-term investment.
• Partner with volunteers, board members, and leadership to create meaningful donor touchpoints.
• Ensure donors receive timely, personalized stewardship. Community

Engagement & Visibility

• Represent CIS at community networking events and philanthropic gatherings.
• Build relationships with civic, small business, and community leaders.
• Maintain visibility within organizations such as Share Charlotte and other community engagement platforms.
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of CIS among prospective supporters.
• Support volunteer engagement efforts as a pathway to future philanthropy.

Corporate Giving

• Manage and grow a portfolio of corporate donors and sponsorship opportunities.
• Develop entry-level corporate partnerships that can be advanced into larger organizational relationships.
• Coordinate corporate stewardship and engagement activities.