Senior Philanthropy Officer

Senior Philanthropy Officer 

Full-time, salary position. 

Hours: 40 hours/weekly. Responsibilities may occasionally require an adjusted work schedule with evening/weekend hours in order to fulfill program duties. 

Salary: $80,000-95,000 

Location: 60-70% in-person (Project LEARN, 58 Prescott St, Lowell, MA 01852); 30-40% remote. 

Reports to: Executive Director; collaborates with the Senior Development Manager

Start date: 3/3/2025

Project LEARN is seeking an experienced, hands-on leader responsible for driving fundraising initiatives as the Senior Philanthropy Officer. This is a dynamic and high-impact role that requires strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to fostering a culture of philanthropy in support of Project LEARN’s mission.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume outlining their qualifications, relevant experience, and motivation for applying to the Senior Philanthropy Officer position at Project LEARN. Applications should be submitted to apply@projectlearninc.org by 3/7/2025, with “Senior Philanthropy Officer” in the title of the email. Applicants who only apply though the LinkedIn portal will not be considered.

About Project LEARN:

Project LEARN envisions a future where every young person in Lowell acquires the education, skills, and social capital to achieve their full potential. Our mission is to create an immersive citywide ecosystem of college- and career-connected learning, training, and credentialing experiences that positively impact the lives of Lowell’s young people. By fostering partnerships with educators, businesses, and community leaders, we aim to provide opportunities that ensure young people in Lowell are equipped for success in both higher education and the workforce.

Go to Project LEARN (projectlearninc.org) for more details.

Position Summary: The Senior Philanthropy Officer will oversee individual and corporate giving programs, lead the planning and execution of major fundraising events, strengthen alumni relations, and spearhead a new capital campaign. The ideal candidate will be able to raise $500,000 in new/increased individual and corporate donations, and bring experience in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies, securing large-scale gifts, managing donor relationships, and collaborating across departments to meet the financial goals of the organization. 

Key Responsibilities

Individual and Corporate Giving (30% of time)

• Develop and implement strategies for securing major gifts annually from high-net worth individual donors and corporate partners.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with a portfolio of current and prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Building new relationships with corporate partners and sponsorship initiatives to engage businesses in supporting Project LEARN's mission.
• Collaborate with Senior Development Manager to develop compelling case materials for solicitation, including donor proposals, reports, and communications tailored to each donor.
• Ensure the effective integration of individual and corporate giving into broader fundraising efforts, including annual appeals and targeted campaigns.

Capital Campaign and Donor Stewardship (30% of time)

• Lead the planning, development, and execution of a capital campaign to fund specific programmatic and infrastructure goals for Project LEARN.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Senior Development Manager, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders to identify campaign priorities, define fundraising goals, and set a timeline for execution.
• Oversee the identification and solicitation of major donors and lead the cultivation of a campaign cabinet to support outreach and fundraising efforts.
• Develop and implement donor recognition strategies, ensuring that campaign contributors and Legacy Society donors are acknowledged and engaged throughout the campaign and beyond.
• Track and report on capital campaign progress to senior leadership and the Board of Directors, adjusting strategies as necessary to meet fundraising targets.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive donor stewardship program to ensure all donors feel valued, appreciated, and informed about the impact of their support.

Alumni Relations and Engagement (25% of time)

• Establish and grow an alumni relations program that builds a strong community of Project LEARN graduates.
• Develop strategies to engage alumni in giving back to the organization through financial contributions, mentoring, volunteering, and networking.
• Organize regular alumni events, including reunions, and networking mixers to foster ongoing connections.
• Collect and highlight alumni success stories, using them to demonstrate the impact of Project LEARN’s programs to potential donors.

Fundraising Events and Activities (15% of time)

• Plan and execute 1-2 annual fundraising events that support Project LEARN’s mission and financial goals, such as annual events, benefit auctions, donor appreciation events, and community outreach activities.
• Manage all aspects of event logistics, including venue selection, vendor negotiations, guest lists, sponsorship outreach, and event promotion.
• Recruit and engage volunteers, board members, event planning committee and community leaders to support fundraising events.
• Work closely with the marketing and communications teams to ensure effective promotion and alignment with the organization’s messaging and branding.
• Track event outcomes, provide detailed reports, and assess the effectiveness of fundraising activities to inform future event planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or professional certification in nonprofit management, fundraising, or related field is a plus.
• More than 5 years’ experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record in securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and successfully managing fundraising campaigns.
• Experience leading or managing a capital campaign is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and capital campaign strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and build long-term relationships with donors, community members, and organizational leaders.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, execute, and evaluate fundraising events and initiatives.
• Experience working with CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang, QGiv , Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) and fundraising tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to the mission of Project LEARN and a passion for youth development, education, and empowerment.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to attend meetings, donor visits, and fundraising events, which may include evening and weekend hours.
• Some travel required within Lowell and potentially outside of the area for fundraising events and donor engagement activities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Generous paid time off, including 12 holidays, 4 weeks paid time off, and the week between 12/25-1/1, and professional development opportunities.
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture committed to social change and youth empowerment.

Project LEARN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities to apply.