Philanthropy Officer

Summary:

The Philanthropy Officer, in collaboration with core members of the team, plays a key role in raising funds from individual supporters, primarily responsible for propelling the company's major gift efforts. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the philanthropy officer is responsible for cultivating, stewarding, and securing major and planned gifts, actively seeking to increase giving from the renewable base while cultivating new prospects who come to Opera Philadelphia through the organization's Pick Your Price program. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage special major gift initiatives as needed and work with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to manage underwriting opportunities for mainstage artists, creative teams, productions, and community programs at the $25,000 level and above.
• Maintain and grow a portfolio of 100-175 current and prospective individual donors capable of making gifts at the $10,000 level and above. Manage the full life cycle of giving including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of these donors and prospects
• Assist in setting forecasts and meet ambitious monthly and annual benchmarks for donors in the MGO portfolio
• Solicit upgrades, multi-year commitments, and planned gifts when appropriate
• Identify, qualify, and solicit major gift prospects with the capacity to make significant financial contributions to Opera Philadelphia.
• Create targeted solicitation strategies and proposals to secure major gifts in support of OP’s fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate with the Philanthropy team, senior leadership, and artistic staff to create compelling funding proposals, impact report, and case statements that articulate OP’s mission, vision, and funding needs to major donors.
• Ensure major donors receive appropriate recognition, stewardship, and benefits in accordance with OP’s donor acknowledgment policies. Coordinate exclusive experiences for major donors and prospects to deepen their engagement with the company.
• Communicate ticket requests to the Guest Services team as necessary
• Maintain accurate donor records and gift documentation in Tessitura, OP’s donor database, to track donor interactions, solicitations, and gift commitments.
• Staff special events, performances, and committee meetings as required.
• Support OP’s 5-year Opera, But Different Campaign
• Applies best practice in moves management and collaborates within the philanthropy team to develop strategies for annual and campaign support.
• Coordinate with Director of Events & Donor Engagement on the execution of special events for major donors and prospects throughout the season and oversee pre-performance entertaining planning for major donors and prospects
• Staff special events, performances, and committee meetings as required

Program Management

• Work with the Philanthropy team to consistently ensure up-to-date cash and revenue projections and reporting for all major and leadership giving files
• Assist in the cultivation and stewardship of patrons at all levels as needed through email communications, writing newsletter articles, entertaining, and other public-facing opportunities

Preferred Related Experience
 

• 7+ years working on a nonprofit fundraising team (performing arts preferred)
• Excellent project management capability
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
  
• Experience with Tessitura and Wordfly a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills including active listening and an empathic approach to the specific interests of varied audiences
  
• Knowledge of fundraising techniques, strategies, research, stewardship, and related best practices