Advancement Officer

Description

About the Preservation Society

The Preservation Society of Newport County was founded in 1945 to preserve and protect the architectural, cultural, and social heritage of Newport County, Rhode Island. Our collections include 11 historic properties dating from 1748 to 1902-seven of which are National Historic

Landmarks; 88 acres of landscape; and 60,000 decorative and fine arts objects. We offer a dynamic, year-round schedule of tours, lectures, and study days to a diverse audience from all fifty states and abroad, many with both virtual and in-person options for access. We honor our responsibility to be excellent stewards of these historic treasures. The Advancement Department of the Preservation Society plays an integral role in raising awareness and funds for specific projects as well as unrestricted campaigns.

Overview of Position

The Advancement Officer (AO) is a frontline gift officer in The Preservation Society of Newport County's Institutional Advancement Department and reports to the Director of Institutional Advancement. The AO will regularly engage with constituents to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual and restricted gifts primarily, but not exclusively, in the range of $5,000 to $50,000. 

The AO will be a proactive goals-oriented member of the Institutional Advancement team. The incumbent will collaborate within the department and across the organization to achieve fundraising goals established annually. The AO is responsible for recommending and executing strategy to ensure that each constituent in their portfolio will be solicited in the most appropriate and thoughtful way to ensure maximum results.

As a part of the Institutional Advancement team, the AO will support the ongoing work to expand the Preservation Society's philanthropic base and deepen existing relationships with those in a position to be most generous. The incumbent will also support and attend special events, engage volunteers, and take on administrative responsibilities as determined by departmental and institutional management. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward current and prospective donors to the Preservation Society's annual fund, restricted projects, endowment, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Meet or exceed fundraising goals established annually in collaboration with Director of Institutional Advancement and CEO and Executive Director.
• Manage and maintain a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, assess giving potential, and develop personalized strategies to secure gifts.
• Support or conduct face-to-face visits, solicitations, and other interactions with major gift donors and prospects either independently or with colleagues as individual strategies may require.
• Track all prospect outreach and information in Raiser's Edge (customer relationship management database) in a timely fashion. Prepare and file contact reports and follow effective prospect management system recording guidelines.
• Provide support and guidance to the CEO and Executive Director, Director of Institutional Advancement, Trustees, or senior staff on cultivation and solicitation calls.
• In the course of cultivating donors and prospects, identify potential candidates for planned giving cultivation and solicitation.
• Write and prepare written communications, correspondence, proposals, reports and presentations for major donors.
• Regularly attend the Preservation Society's in-person and virtual events to welcome donors and to advance donor relationships; represent the Preservation Society at external fundraising and community events.
• Create strategies to use events, membership and programs to encourage participation and increased support.

Requirements

The desirable candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of five years of frontline fundraising experience, including regularly closing five-figure gifts. 
• Demonstrated accomplishments in managing donor portfolios, making personal solicitations, and achieving or exceeding personal and departmental fundraising goals is required.
• Prior experience with other areas of fundraising, particularly planned and corporate giving, and knowledge of and experience with the Rhode Island, Boston, or New York philanthropic community is a plus.
• Ability to collaborate joyfully in a team environment while maintaining dedication to personal goals and objectives.
• Superior written and oral communication, negotiating, organizational, and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial information and manage data.
• High level of personal and professional integrity in dealing with colleagues and donors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated in relating to Board of Trustees, major donors, volunteers, senior staff members and colleagues.
• Ability to work collaboratively within and across departments of the organization.
• High degree of organization and ability to manage a prioritize a multitude of tasks.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative on designing and implementing new projects.
• Ability to work with confidential information.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet, word processing, and CRM database software (Raiser's Edge or similar).
• Perform other related duties as required or directed.