POSITION TITLE:  Donor Relations Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO: Development Director

HOURS: Full-time (40 hours/week), exempt. Must be available for occasional evening and weekend hours for special events.

COMPENSATION: $60,000+ /year, depending on experience. 

BENEFITS: Eligible for FFLC-sponsored benefits (e.g. paid time off benefits such as holidays, floating days, vacation and sick). Health insurance benefits offered the first of the month after 30 days of employment; other benefits after 90-day mutual trial service period satisfactorily completed.

ABOUT FOOD FOR LANE COUNTY: FOOD For Lane County’s mission is to reduce hunger by engaging our community to create access to food. FOOD For Lane County (FFLC) is Oregon’s second-largest food bank and part of the Oregon Food Bank Statewide Network and Feeding America. Founded in 1984, FFLC has grown from distributing almost two million pounds of food to now over eight million pounds of food to roughly 80,000 people throughout Lane County’s 4,700 square miles. 

FFLC’s work is guided by its core values of compassion, inclusion and collaboration. On a daily basis, FFLC engages the community to create access to food. FFLC acquires food from multiple sources including USDA commodities, food rescue efforts, food drives, and growing food at our two garden sites. Our work primarily consists of overseeing a network of 160+ independent partner agencies who offer food pantries, meal sites and other services as it aligns with their own, unique organizational goals. 

FFLC also operates direct service programs including Meals on Wheels – Eugene, The Dining Room, Summer Food Program, Snack Pack, gardens programs (GrassRoots and the Youth Farm), and a job training program. This work would not be possible without the support of approximately 4,000 volunteers annually and the generosity of several thousand donors.

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION: We value a diverse workforce as vital to carrying out our mission. We seek to include diverse perspectives that are representative of our community. To that end, we are committed to equitable hiring practices, even if they require more time and effort, to ensure our ability to build a diverse workforce. We know that systemic confidence-gaps and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you! 

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Donor Relations Officer is a frontline Development officer who is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding new and existing donors and prospects with the capacity and inclination to make major gifts of $2,500 or more. Reporting to the Development Director, the DRO works in close partnership with the Executive Director, leadership team members, and other staff to build top donors’ engagement with FFLC. The DRO is expected to model FFLC’s values of compassion, inclusion, and collaboration as well as demonstrate professionalism and ethics at all times. The position is based in Eugene, Oregon with a hybrid office/work-from-home option. 

PRIMARY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

FUNDRAISING:

• Manages and grows a portfolio of major donors and prospects. Qualifies prospects through strategic personal contacts such as, but not limited to personal visits 
• Cultivates and solicits donors in-person and in-writing to make significant investments in the priorities of FFLC.
• Coordinates cultivation activities and solicitations with the Development Director and program staff as appropriate.
• Prepares major gift proposals for donors’ consideration that align donors’ philanthropic goals and the funding priorities of FFLC. Solicits and closes gifts in a timely manner.
• Plans and implements stewardship touches/activities/efforts to demonstrate acknowledgment and gratitude for donor support and contribute to retention goals.
• Manages and grows a portfolio of corporate/business donors and sponsors through strategic personal contacts, cultivation activities, solicitation, and stewardship
• Participates the planning and implementation of donor-centric FFLC events
• Meets annual performance goals determined in coordination with the Development Director.
• Represents FFLC with knowledge, professionalism and strong ethics at all times.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER TASKS:

• In collaboration with the Development Director, plans and implements cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies all donors in the DRO’s portfolio.
• Develops strong working relationships with board members, board committee members, program staff and other stakeholders to enlist their participation in engaging major donors with the intent of deepening their commitment to FFLC. 
• Participates in Board Development Committee meetings as needed. 
• Generates major gift progress reports and reviews cultivation/solicitation strategies on a weekly basis with the Development Director. Contributes to major gift meetings with the Executive Director, Development Director and other colleagues.
• Attends all meetings mentioned throughout the job description, as well as monthly all-staff meetings, and other meetings as requested.
• Treats all co-workers, volunteers, and donors with dignity and respect and strives to promote and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS: We value all forms of experience including unpaid work, lived experience, education, and training.

• Passion for the mission of FOOD For Lane County.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct fundraising experience including proven success in soliciting and closing mid-level gifts or greater.
• Proven ability to build relationships with donors that deepen their commitment to the organization’s mission. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a particular strength in persuasion and inspiration verbally and in-writing.
• Ability to think critically and synthesize complex information, especially in-the moment of conversation. Demonstrated flexibility while maintaining focus on end-goals and making progress towards them. 
• High-level of professionalism and discretion in interactions with donors and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A willingness to promote and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals organization-wide.
• Experienced using donor databases and Microsoft tools including Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Teams and SharePoint. CRM and CMS systems are a plus. 
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software programs.
• Ability to work in an open office environment with noise and interruptions. 
• Ability to access meeting sites or other special event sites in Lane County that may not be serviced by public transportation is optional, but preferred (e.g. use of car). 
• Optional but preferred: safe driving record, valid Oregon driver’s license, current vehicle insurance and ability to use personal vehicle for FFLC business, and qualify for insurance coverage with FOOD for Lane County’s carriers.
• All offers for employment are contingent on a satisfactory background check.

NOTE: Job descriptions are not intended to be and should not be construed as exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of principal job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about jobs.

Reasonable Accommodations: Food for Lane County, complies with federal, state, and local laws regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources, 541.343-2822.

FFLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, diverse ability, or any other characteristic protected under local, state or federal law.