Development Officer, DC or Remote

The Development Officer complements a team of development professionals responsible for setting and meeting annual fundraising goals. This position is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of major donors who have the capacity to give $10,000 or more annually, reports to the Senior Development Director, and works in collaboration with the development team, President, board members, and CSPI senior staff. 

This position is located in Washington, DC or remotely within the US. As a public health organization, CSPI makes efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors. We require all employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible, and the vaccine is available to them. Proof of vaccination is required during the onboarding process.    

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Develop and manage strong relationships with current and potential major donors, donor advisors, partner organizations, and other stakeholders to secure $10,000+ gifts. In collaboration with the Development team, create and implement a strategic plan for major gifts fundraising that is aligned with department goals. 
• Identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward a growing portfolio of new high-capacity individual donors and prospective donors. 
• Plan and execute introductory or cultivation events and meetings for donors and prospects under the direction of the Senior Development Director. Research and prepare briefs in advance of meetings. 
• Engage President, senior staff, and board members in obtaining major gifts; provide comprehensive support to them in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 
• Develop appeal letters and other written communications to be used for donor cultivation and solicitation. Collaborate with the Program, Communications, and Marketing departments to ensure consistency in communications, messaging, and solicitations. 
• Maintain a thorough understanding of CSPI, its mission, and current programs in order to communicate this information clearly and directly to donors and prospects. 
• Monitor major gifts program performance, including oversight of income and expenses, and ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping and reporting. 
• Ensure that all donors and donor interactions are tracked accurately, and that major gifts are acknowledged in a timely and appropriate manner.  
• Assist with other duties assigned by the Senior Development Director. 

Ideal Qualifications 

• Minimum of five years of nonprofit major gifts fundraising experience with a track record of successful personal solicitation of gifts in excess of $10,000.
• Demonstrated skill at identifying potential donors and creating and implementing fundraising strategies to achieve goals. 
• Demonstrated ability to work across teams in a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and strategic organizational culture at all levels of the organization, including board directors, senior management, program, and administrative staff. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the intersection of public health and social justice and ability to promote it throughout the work and in the workplace.  
• Strong verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and effectively. 
• Strong analytic skills, and ability to apply strategic and creative thinking. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• High degree of initiative, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.  
• Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, tactfulness, and good judgment; and capable of handling confidential information with discretion. 
• Experience in organizing and staffing donor-cultivation or stewardship events. 
• Experience in planning and managing budgets. 
• Willingness and ability to travel to meet with donors and prospects. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and donor management database programs, preferably with EveryAction.   
• Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• Commitment to CSPI’s mission and values. 

About CSPI

CSPI is one of the nation’s leading public health advocacy organizations with a 50-year record of fighting for science in the public interest. We’ve led efforts to win passage of many state and local policies to improve school foods, put calories on chain restaurant menus and menu boards, and remove sugary drinks from children’s menus. National policy successes include the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act; Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act; Food Safety Modernization Act; and Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act.

CSPI on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CSPI is committed to including and valuing diverse voices and fostering a culture that ensures all staff feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be their best selves. In that spirit, each of us is committed to putting in constant work to live up to our organization’s core values:

• We are inclusive. We seek to foster an environment where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are affirmed. We are not looking for everyone to think and look the same. We actively welcome and value staff with different experiences, backgrounds, attributes, abilities, and perspectives.
• We are open. We are honest and direct in how we communicate with each other in order to build trust and integrity within our organization.
• We are accountable. We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions.
• We are kind. We communicate and treat one another in a respectful, generous, considerate, and compassionate way.
• We are collaborative. We work together for the common good and shared success.

Compensation

The salary range is $82,000 to $100,000, based on experience. CSPI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 3 weeks of annual vacation leave; additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1; 8 weeks of paid parental leave; excellent medical and dental insurance with CSPI paying a significant portion of employee and dependent premiums; and a 3% employer match contribution to the retirement plan after one year of service. CSPI also offers 1/2 day Fridays

To Apply

Please utilize CSPI's Paylocity Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to apply for the Development Officer position. You are required to submit a resume and cover letter indicating relevant experience and interest. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the deadline is September 29, 2023.

CSPI is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspective, and skills and encourage people of diverse ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, disabilities, religions, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, work, and life experiences to apply.