Development Officer, Foundations

Job Description COVER LETTER REQUIRED Position Overview The Development Officer, Foundations is responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of current and potential major donors – primarily foundations. This includes working with programmatic staff to build the fundraising strategy and the case for support while building and leveraging key relationships and contacts within and outside of the organization’s network. The Development Officer – Foundations will be a key contributor to the development team and will be essential to the achievement of the organization’s fundraising goals.

Responsibilities

• Advance foundation relationships that result in large philanthropic contributions for RMI through strategic engagement, personal in person and virtual visits, email correspondence, and telephone conversations with prospects and donors.
• Identify, qualify, solicit and steward a portfolio of several dozen new and prospective foundation accounts capacity to make gifts (from $25,000 to $1,000,000 and more).
• Provide a high-quality experience for donors and potential donors through education and engagement on RMI’s clean energy program portfolio, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding gifts.
• Act as a fundraising partner to Directors and Senior Directors in support of managing major, complex accounts.
• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of prospects.
• Work collaboratively with program teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of RMI work and build strong working relationships with program leaders. Create compelling proposals, cultivate new prospects, and steward existing donors.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with program and operations leaders; serve as a lead Development point of contact for 1-2 programs.
• Use Salesforce database to document moves management process and provide accurate relationship status and financial projections for portfolio.
• Translate highly technical information into accessible written and verbal language that will compel donors to support key programs and projects.
• Prepare meeting briefings, strategic planning for meeting goals and roles, and prepare communications and materials, designing meeting content, and coordinate activities with program and finance colleagues.
• Serve as an active member of the development team; support the implementation of the development team’s short- and long-term objectives; engage with the development team by attending staff meetings, serving on special task forces, participating in development-program meetings, and understanding and contributing to development strategy and overall mission.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience fundraising from foundations
• Track record of successfully raising at least 5-figure gifts from foundations.
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5-10 years’ work experience in non-profit development, with a track record of successful solicitation of philanthropic gifts.
• Experience writing winning grant applications or proposals.
• Experience working successfully with top level Executives in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in environment, climate or energy field strongly desired.
• International experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel up to 25 of the time

General

• Knowledge of RMI’s mission and objectives as well as the principles and practices of non-profit organizations.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with funding partners, RMI staff, Board members, community groups and other associated agencies.
• Able to navigate and understand a complicated funding environment with the flexibility to change course quickly with a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple complex and nuanced projects at the same time on deadline

Submitting a writing sample will be required as part of the hiring process. Please note that this role requires a cover letter at the time of application submission.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $96,645 to $119,115 and will be eligible to earn more based upon years of experience. Additionally, the role offers a 10% bonus target!

Benefits:     

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:     

• Medical, dental, vision insurance    
• 403b retirement options (up to 5% match immediately)    
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability    
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off and sick leave
• Parental leave    
• Flexible working hours
• Commuter and work from home stipends

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion      

At RMI, our mission is to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future for all. For this to happen, every single person needs to be a stakeholder in the energy transition. Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve is critical to our success. We need the widest range of perspectives to understand the systems we are trying to change. That doesn’t just mean bringing a diverse team to the table; it also means working proactively to give all job seekers and employees equitable experiences. Visit our DEI page for more information on our DEI initiatives and commitments.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.