Development Officer, Philanthropy

Driven by a vision to eliminate poverty in our community, Bissell Centre’s data-driven approach is rooted in a deep belief in the dignity, strength, and potential of every individual. Through compassion, optimism, and strong relationships, our prevention and stabilization strategy and programs empower people by supporting our community to secure housing and build sustainable livelihoods. Our community comes from all walks of life, and so does our team—united by a shared commitment to create real, lasting change.

By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for a Development Officer, Philanthropy to join our dedicated Resource Development team as we journey with the Community towards an elimination of poverty. If you’re ready to bring your heart to a fast-paced, collaborative environment, join us in making an impact in our community.

The Development Officer, Philanthropy is ideal for a relationship-driven fundraising professional who is energized by meaningful donor conversations, confident in directly soliciting and closing gifts, and motivated to build strong, long-term relationships that inspire significant and transformational philanthropic support for Bissell Centre.

Under the guidance of the Manager of Development, the Development Officer, Philanthropy will manage a portfolio focused primarily on leadership giving from individuals, with select corporate relationships, alongside mid-level donor engagement and strategic and planned giving opportunities. The role will manage the full donor cycle—from identification and qualification through cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship—and contribute to capital campaign and other significant fundraising initiatives.

Strategic and planned giving responsibilities will focus particularly on gifts of securities, donor-advised funds (DAFs), and other giving vehicles that enable donors to maximize their philanthropic impact, while supporting legacy and estate giving opportunities as they arise.

• Plan, develop, and implement strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects.
• Manage an active portfolio of donors and prospects with emphasis on:
  • Leadership giving from individuals and select corporate donors (approximately 70%)
  • Mid-level donors with the potential to deepen their engagement and giving (approximately 15%)
  • Strategic and planned giving, with particular focus on gifts of securities, donor-advised funds, and other giving vehicles (approximately 15%)
• Develop individualized donor strategies and actively move relationships through the donor cycle toward meaningful philanthropic commitments.
• Confidently initiate and lead direct gift solicitations, including discussing giving opportunities and amounts, responding to donor questions, and asking for financial commitments.
• Build meaningful relationships with donors and prospects through regular meetings, calls, tours, events, and other personalized engagement opportunities.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in individual philanthropy and securing significant gifts, or a related relationship-based fundraising role.
• Demonstrated experience personally soliciting and closing significant gifts from individual donors.
• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of donors and prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience participating in a capital campaign or other significant fundraising campaign is strongly preferred.
• Experience with gifts of securities, donor-advised funds, planned giving, or other strategic giving vehicles is…