Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a RISD Fund Officer to join its Institutional Advancement team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team who is responsible for engaging RISD’s alumni, parents, students and donors in meaningful ways and encouraging them to financially support the college

The RISD Fund Officer employs customer relationship management skills to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and existing donors in support of the RISD Fund which encourages unrestricted and designated, current use gifts. Concentrating efforts on securing annual gifts from alumni, parents, and friends, the RISD Fund Officer develops an annual plan to cultivate and solicit a portfolio of 150 prospective and current donors for membership in the 1877 Society ($2,500 or more) and Families Association Leadership Council ($5,000 or more).  The RISD Fund Officer conducts at least 150 personal visits annually. The incumbent will create personalized engagement plans for each assigned prospect and works collaboratively with the Alumni + Family Relations team in leveraging Alumni Association and with the Executive Director, RISD Fund for 1877 Society and Families Association Leadership Council cultivation opportunities to engage and steward donors. The RISD Fund Officer also plays a vital role in building the pipeline for the College by assessing the giving capacity and philanthropic interests of assigned individuals and recommending those with major gift capacity ($100,000 or more) for assignment to Philanthropy Officers who will cultivate these donors for multi-year commitments.

We seek applications from equity-minded candidates who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions: 

• Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of assigned prospective donors through face-to-face visits, engagement events, and other means. Tasked with personally executing solicitations and closing gifts to secure annual leadership gifts of $2,500 or more for unrestricted and designated, current use purposes.
• Manage and maintain a portfolio of 150 prospective and current donors.
• Develop and execute an annual solicitation plan for submitted proposals and gift closures providing gift projections of commitments.
• Maintain a rigorous schedule of personal contacts with assigned prospects, creating moves management plans related to them that include strategies of engagement and solicitations.
• Collaborate with the Alumni + Family Relations team and Executive Director, RISD Fund to leverage appropriate Alumni Association, 1877 Society, and Families Association Leadership Council events and volunteer opportunities for select prospective and current donors.
• At the direction of the Executive Director, RISD Fund staff and/or attend assigned 1877 Society and Families Association Leadership Council events.
• Seamlessly transition newly identified prospective and current donors with gift capacity of $100,000 or more to Philanthropy Officers for further relationship development.
• Utilize Raiser’s Edge prospect tracking/management system, which identifies, assigns, rates, and tracks assigned prospects, to comply with department policies and procedures.
• Conduct independent research through the Institutional Engagement database, Internet sources, and referrals from RISD representatives and volunteers to identify and appropriately engage assigned prospects.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience: 

• Proven ability to communicate and present persuasively, build relationships and influence others.
• Strong organizational and database skills.
• Commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities.
• Willingness to travel on daily and/or weekly basis locally or assigned geographic territories.
• Interest/experience in art and design desirable.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues, within an environment that values diversity and inclusion.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of one (1) or more years of fundraising (or related sales) experience devising and executing face-to-face solicitations.

Work Schedule: 

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Documents Needed to Apply: 

• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Required)