Development Officer

Austin, TX

TITLE: Development Officer

REPORTS TO: Director of Development & Communications

STATUS: Full time, Exempt

SALARY: $100,000

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Are you an experienced fundraiser who loves building relationships and connecting people to a meaningful mission? Do you have at least five years of experience cultivating donor relationships and turning those connections into philanthropic support?

Friends of the Children Austin is looking for a Development Officer to join our growing team. This is an opportunity to work closely with organizational leadership, play a meaningful role in an exciting period of growth, and help us reach our goal of serving 300 children by 2030.

If you're a motivated, results-driven development professional who wants to see the direct impact of your work on the lives of children and families, we'd love to meet you.

We anticipate this position starting in January or February 2027.

Who are we?

Friends of the Children Austin is one of the fastest growing chapters of a more than 30-year-old national professional mentoring organization. Our model is proven to break the cycle of generational poverty. We provide professional, full-time, salaried mentors to youth in our community who are facing the greatest obstacles, from kindergarten through high school graduation. 12+ years, no matter what.

Here is what we have to offer you:

A committed leadership team and the opportunity to grow with a quickly scaling non-profit.
You’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive national network, with a proven, evidence-based, highly unique model.
A team of talented employees who are passionate about working together to create an extraordinary organization.
Respect for work-life balance. You will work hard, and we expect you to recharge your batteries.
Most of all, you get to be a leader at an exceptional organization that helps children facing incredible odds change their life story every day.
Competitive salary
100% Employer paid premiums for dental, vision, and medical benefits along with disability and life insurance for all employees
Three weeks paid vacation
Two weeks paid sick leave
Additional paid time off the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Simple IRA, up to 3% employer match
Eight weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregiver (birth, adoption, foster) and four weeks for the secondary caregiver
Tuition reimbursement plan

Are you ready to use your skills to make an impact in the Austin community? See the position details below.

We are excited to offer an opportunity for the role of Development Officer.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Development Officer is a key member of Friends Austin’s Development and Communications team, focused on securing substantial philanthropic support from a variety of individual and corporate donors. This outward-facing, results-oriented role requires a high level of attention to detail, competency in relationship development, identification, qualification, and solicitation of donations.

As a leader for the organization, the Development Officer works closely with the Director of Development and Communications (DDC) and Deputy Director of Development and Communications (DDDC) to create, implement, and monitor strategies that grow contributed revenue in support of the organization’s vision of serving 300 children by 2030. The Development Officer will focus on managing and cultivating a portfolio of donors, giving between $5,000 and $24,999, while expanding organizational capacity to manage additional major donor relationships by 2030. The Development Officer will also work directly with the Executive Director (ED), Board of Directors, and committees, with regular access to organizational leadership and a meaningful voice in how the organization grows.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with at least five years of experience in a nonprofit fundraising environment managing donor stewardship, cultivation and solicitation of donations. Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Portfolio Management and Donor Cultivation
- Manage and cultivate a personal portfolio of donors giving approximately $5,000 to $24,999 annually, moving them toward major gifts of $25,000 and above. Portfolio management will include a mix of current donors to Friends Austin and prospective contributors.
- Provide individualized quarterly engagement for priority donors to maintain consistent, personalized stewardship.
- Secure and renew multi-year pledge commitments, including pledges extending through and beyond 2030.
- Work with the DDC to plan the transition or shared management of donors ready for major gift relationships.
- Maintain a pipeline view of projected revenue for portfolio donors and share updates and strategic recommendations during recurring Major Gift meetings.
- Maintain accurate donor records and notes in the CRM and report on key activity and revenue metrics.
Donor Acquisition and Pipeline Development
- Leverage board members, Executive Leadership Council and community networks to identify and qualify new individual and corporate donor prospects.
- Map relationships and connect with prospects with new corporations relocating their headquarters to Austin.
- Move qualified prospects from identification to cultivation and develop and follow a plan for touch points leading to a gift ask.
- Equip Board members and other Friends Austin champions with the tools and talking points they need to support their own cultivation and stewardship of donors.
Strategic Events and Donor Growth
- Partner with the Events Producer to use signature fundraising events (including Dinner with Friends, Slay Bells, Jammies at Sammie’s, and The Big Pickle) to personally cultivate and steward the donors and prospects in your portfolio.
- Welcome first-time event donors giving $5,000 or more into your portfolio, with personalized follow up that leads to a second gift.
- Steward the corporate event sponsors in your portfolio, pitch upgraded sponsorship tiers to those with higher giving capacity, and transition them into ongoing annual partners.
- Work with sustained major donors in your portfolio who serve as event connectors, inviting them to bring qualified prospects to signature events.
- Partner with the DDC and Events Producer to plan small cultivation events, such as pledge gatherings and donor-hosted events, shaping guest lists, goals, and follow-up touchpoints that deepen relationships with portfolio donors.
Campaign Execution
- Support the execution of the 2.5-year, $3 million giving campaign launching at the 10th Birthday celebration in Fall 2027 to fund long-term operational needs.
- Support the campaign kickoff (10^th Birthday Party) and partner with the DDC to manage and engage the Campaign Committee.
- Work with leadership to advance priority donors to higher giving levels and generate increased philanthropic support.
- In partnership with the Development and Communications Associate, prepare compelling proposals, presentations, and personalized materials for soliciting campaign gifts.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Communications - Exhibits good listening and comprehension. Effectively expresses ideas and thoughts in written form and verbally. Keeps others adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
Relationship Building - Builds trust and rapport with donors, prospects, volunteers, senior leaders and all organizational stakeholders. Handles confidential donor information with discretion.
Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.
Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Planning and Organization - Integrates changes smoothly. Plans for additional resources. Prioritizes and plans work activities. Sets goals and objectives. Uses time efficiently. Works in an organized manner.
Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.
Professionalism- Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
Adaptability – Ability to respond well to a fast-paced and evolving environment. Able to organize a variety of tasks with great attention to detail and prioritize.
Must have a vehicle, valid driver’s license and automobile insurance. Requires local travel via personal vehicle to donor meetings/visits, community meetings, etc.
Ability to work in our Austin office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Associate or bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience (4-8 years' work experience).
Minimum of three years of event-planning experience, including serving as the primary lead for an event.

Friends of the Children Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children Austin provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children Austin hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.