Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit companion animal rescue that primarily serves communities throughout Minnesota and states in the south with severe pet overpopulation. We rescue stray, neglected, abandoned and surrendered dogs and cats, as well as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other critters. Most of our work is accomplished by a complex network of volunteers, fosters, and supporters, all of whom come together to save thousands of animals each year.
Our vision is simple: We strive for a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving forever home, and their family has the knowledge and resources needed to give them the life they deserve. We believe in connecting people with pets and helping provide resources in need.
Overall Summary and Description:
The Development Officer will maintain and develop a portfolio of donors and prospects for the annual fund. The Development Officer is responsible for increasing current donor and new donor giving and creating a pipeline for major gifts while maintaining meaningful relationships with all donors in the portfolio. Develop and implement identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship systems and strategies for this constituency.
Availability:
The ability and willingness to allow for a flexible schedule are essential. This is a salaried position with a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. Most of these hours can be done remotely, but you must be in the office (Princeton) at least twice a week. Daily emailing and phone calls are a must. We do have set office hours, but there may be times you go over these hours if needed, depending on your job duties.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Work with a portfolio of 350+ individual donors and corporate partners. Identify top-tier donors and set strategies and goals to optimize engagement and increase giving.
Work with the board of directors, volunteers, and staff to identify individual and corporate prospective donors to solicit gifts.
Develop and implement communication strategies to inform and engage current donors and prospects.
Make at least 25+ daily contacts through phone, email, and handwritten notes. Foster and strengthen relationships to inspire donors to become invested in the organization’s vision and mission and promote deeper engagement.
Record and maintain all donor interactions and information in CRM.
Collaborate strategic fundraising initiatives with multiple departments within RSR - Development, Marketing, Events/Fundraising, and Volunteers.
Manage and oversee the annual giving program's various components, including the organization of mailing lists, creation of appeal letters, supervision of the online donation process, execution of digital fundraising campaigns, and evaluation of data and donor segments for strategic insights.
Contribute to social media content creation, newsletters, direct mail, and digital & print campaigns.
Cultivates donor relationships by updating donors on the impact of their support, creating opportunities to grow their relationship with RSR’s mission, and inviting donors to deepen their partnership with RSR.
Executes fundraising strategies through in-person, phone, email, and mail communications with donors for cultivation, solicitations, stewardship, and planned giving efforts.
Monitors and analyzes donor fundraising outcomes (direct mail, events, major giving, campaigns) and trends.
Work with the fundraising and events managers to support large-scale fundraising and relationship-building activities to increase the knowledge of Ruff Start Rescue.
Corporate Relationships
Peer to Peer Fundraising
Sponsorship
Donor Relations
Assist with gathering donor data for grant writers.
Conduct regular outreach to qualify prospects through face-to-face visits and other substantive contacts and confirm gift capacity.
Budget management and financial reporting - work closely with the finance department to ensure alignment between fundraising efforts and financial goals.
The Development Officer supports annual appeals, special events, gift processing, donor research, database management, reporting, and analysis. This position also contributes to various functions of communications, outreach, and select strategic initiatives. All activities will be directed and supervised by RSR’s Director of Development.
Specific Job Skills and Requirements
A love for animals and the organization's mission.
Minimum 2 to 5 years experience in non-profit development/fundraising.
Proven success in creating and managing giving campaigns (year-end, matching, Give to the Max), and experience securing gifts from new donors and growing donor gifts.
This position requires excellent time management, organizational skills, and knowledge of fundraising strategies, resource development, and donor relations.
Experience in planning, organizing, and executing high-level fundraising events/galas.
Budget Management - Experience in creating and managing budgets.
Data Analysis Skills - Strong analytical skills to interpret fundraising data, measure campaign effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions.
• The ability and proven evidence of the ability to:
Communicate at an advanced level, oral and written.
Exhibit strong phone skills, such as a warm tone, good speaking cadence, and clear and articulate speech.
Be an active participant in a teamwork-driven environment.
Demonstrate proficiency in building relationships.
Utilize CRM and other web-based tools with proficiency.
Meetings/Participation
Attend/Take part in semi-annual volunteer appreciation events.
Attend and take part in fundraising events.
Requires some travel throughout central MN. Evening and weekend hours are required on occasion.
Personal Characteristics
Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
Strong interpersonal skills - outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with various people.
Maturity and good judgment.
Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization.
Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative, and tactful.
Brings a strong drive for results while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.
Benefits
Health insurance is available for employees on the 1st of the month following 30 days. RSR will pay 50% of the employee's monthly premium. The employee would pay other family members.
Retirement plans with up to a 3% employer contribution are available after 90 days.
Additional Insurance options are available after 90 days. You pay a 100% premium at a discounted group rate.
* Short term disability
* Life Insurance
* Dental Insurance
* Accident Insurance
* Hospital Indemnity Insurance
* Critical Illness Insurance
* Cancer Insurance
* Vision Insurance
PTO
First-year 10 days
Years 1 and 2 15 days (3 Weeks)
Year 3 and 4 20 Days (4 Weeks)
Year 5 and 6 25 Days (5 Weeks)
Year 7 + 30 Days (6 Weeks)
When an employee rolls over to a new year bracket, we will prorate from their anniversary date.
Employee Discount
Professional Development courses cover up to $200 annually.
Salary: $55,000-$62,000 annually/ DOQ
Reports to: Director of Development
Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter and a resume.