Philanthropy Officer

Job Description

KUOW has an outstanding opportunity for a Philanthropy Officer to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Philanthropy Officer is responsible for managing a portfolio of 150+/- major donors and prospects, focusing on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts that support KUOW’s mission. The role combines front line fundraising and one-to-one relationship management with contributions to strategic initiatives and peer mentoring within KUOW’s Donor Engagement team.

Position is suitable/eligible for Hybrid/Occasional Telework.

Key Responsibilities

Frontline Fundraising (75%)

• Identifies, manages, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of approximately 150 major donors and prospects to increase annual, special, and transformational contributions to KUOW.

• Develops and implements activities to advance individuals in portfolio through all aspects of the gift cycle: initiating contact, developing cultivation strategies, drafting proposals, moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, and providing stewardship.

• Works with Philanthropy colleagues to identify, research, solicit, cultivate, and steward major donor prospects.

• Plans and executes targeted events for those within and beyond assigned portfolio.

• Creates communication materials to support major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, including writing proposals, case statements, grant requests and solicitation letters.

• Represents KUOW at donor events and community functions as appropriate.

• Identifies and cultivates estate and planned gifts.

• Actively supports Membership and Marketing campaigns, securing challenge and matching gift opportunities from within portfolio that may be leveraged to incentivize additional giving.

• Ensures accurate and complete record-keeping and donor acknowledgments.

Program Management (20%)

• Key contributor to annual planning for major donor fundraising and develops personal annual plans for portfolio of 150+/-, aligned with KUOW’s strategic framework and annual operating goals.

• Prepares reports and analyses to monitor productivity and health of portfolio.

• Assists in refining methodologies and best practices for major donor fundraising, including stewardship and cultivation processes.

• Leads assigned projects or initiatives to enhance donor engagement and operational efficiency.

• Collaborates with colleagues across teams to support major donor-focused events and campaigns.

• Mentors junior staff or interns on best practices in donor cultivation and stewardship.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• A bachelor’s degree and at least four years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising or a related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

• Demonstrated success in cultivating donor relationships and securing major gifts.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written, phone, and in-person).

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with public radio programming.

• Working knowledge of fundraising databases, preferably Salesforce.

Working Conditions

• Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work when necessary to meet critical deadlines.

• Ability to travel when necessary to meet donors and to attend station events.

• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.

• Position is suitable/eligible for Hybrid/Occasional Telework.

Additional Application Requirement

This recruitment requires a cover letter. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be forwarded to the hiring department.

Please address the following in your cover letter:

• What most interests you about this role and what makes you a good fit for it?

• What motivates your interest in KUOW?

• If you are not currently a gift officer, tell us how your skills will transfer well into this function.

About the Team

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts and events in service to the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public with a vision to broaden conversations and deepen understanding. Learn more at www.kuow.org.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Shift:

Temporary or Regular?

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

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About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.