Donor Relations & Fundraising Officer

Description

Habitat for Humanity of Durham seeks a Donor Relations & Fundraising Officer to serve as a member of our fundraising team and help drive growth in our annual giving and sponsorship programs. This role is part of a small, cross-functional team, working closely with Communications teams. 

The Donor Relations & Fundraising Officer will provide leadership and initiative to develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, retain, and close gift relationships with assigned individuals, corporations, faith-based groups, and community organizations to meet a significant annual revenue goal. This is a relationship-forward role requiring strong public presence, excellent communication, and comfort with public speaking and presentations. The ideal candidate is a proactive fundraiser who enjoys meeting new people, telling compelling stories, and turning relationships into meaningful support for Habitat’s mission. 

Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Donor Development 

• Establish with the development team a systematic strategy to actively identify, cultivate, solicit, and close commitments from new and existing donors to meet or exceed assigned revenue goals. 
• Manage an assigned portfolio of prospects and donors, moving them through the donor pipeline. 
• Lead donor engagement efforts to retain, upgrade, and track annual giving supporters and sponsorship partners’ activities in the donor database/CRM. 

Donor Solicitation & Relationship Management 

• Work independently to conduct face-to-face visits, possible virtual meetings, and other relationship-building activities to secure assigned sponsorships and annual gifts. 

Campaigns, Presentations & Communications Collaboration 

• Create and execute, with the Communications Team, assigned solicitation campaigns (mail, email, virtual, website, presentations, proposals, etc.) to compassionately and effectively articulate the Habitat story. 
• Represent Habitat for Humanity of Durham at community events, faith-based gatherings, corporate meetings, and volunteer activities.

Planning, Reporting & Operations 

• Work with the Development Team to establish annual revenue goals for the budget; provide accurate and timely progress reports. 
• Grant administration support (tracking deliverables/timelines/compliance; maintaining grant documentation with program/finance) 
• Grant reporting + drafting narrative language with organizational leadership (proposals/renewals/funder communications) 

Events & Community Engagement 

• Assist in hosting and supporting events on- and off-site (including some nights and weekends). 
• Build strong internal relationships with program staff to stay current on Habitat work and bring impact stories to donors. 
• Professional Development 
• Actively seek and participate in professional continued education to strengthen fundraising skills and stay current on best practices.

Professional Development 

• Actively seek and participate in professional continued education to strengthen fundraising skills and stay current on best practices. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• 2+ years of successful fundraising experience, including a proven record of securing gifts/sponsorships or comparable revenue generation. 
• Previous financial experience (budgeting, reporting, analysis, or related work) and fundraising experience is expected. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to listen well and engage, inspire, and persuade. 
• Comfort with public speaking and developing presentations 
• Strong relationship-building skills with a diverse range of constituents and a commitment to maintaining high-quality donor stewardship. 
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities and meet deadlines. 
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality. 
• Experience with donor databases/CRMs is a plus. 
• Experience supporting grant administration and reporting (narrative, outcomes, and compliance) is a plus.

Additional Requirements / Working Conditions 

• Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. 
• Must be willing to work occasional nights and weekends 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred