About College Possible
As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.
College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.
Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.
Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.
Equal Opportunity Employer
College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.
Your Role as Senior Development Officer, Individual Giving
The Senior Development Officer for Individual Giving programs works under the direction of the SVP of Advancement to create and execute individual giving strategies to ensure annual revenue targets are met or exceeded. The individual giving program includes annual giving, major and transformational giving, planned giving, and board giving. The Development Officer position is a key National Development team member responsible for the identification, prioritization and cultivation of current and prospective donors capable of gifts of $25,000+. This position requires both strategic planning and a hands-on approach with knowledge of all facets of fundraising best practices. The successful candidate will be a seasoned and persuasive communicator and writer, motivated to network socially and have a calling for building relationships with philanthropically minded individuals whose passion is education - with a special emphasis on access and equality.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prospecting and Cultivation: Develop and manage a pipeline and portfolio of major individual donors ensuring a multi-year diverse, sustainable and growing program. Create cultivation and communications strategies to grow portfolio, coordinating with eight regional sites to leverage content, tools, and tactics. Execute a support strategy for senior leaders - CEO, SVP, and other program leaders - who are key partners in relationship building and engaging donors. A successful Officer will have an executive presence and be confident and enthusiastic about presenting to sophisticated philanthropists.
- Relationship Management and Stewardship: This position will successfully steward a robust portfolio of 75-100 major donors, and manage programs for annual giving, board giving, and planned giving for the organization (some of which are not yet developed fully). They will develop new relationships built on trust and integrity and continue to cultivate and grow existing relationships while improving donor retention through a meaningful stewardship strategy. Required work will be to document and maintain clear and timely records and call reports to track contacts, donor giving, notes, and assist in the maintenance of an accurate donor database.
- Internal Planning and Analysis: Working with the SVP and Development colleagues, develop annual campaign strategies to grow individual donor support over time using the database, fundraising best practices, and in partnership with Development Operations, Marketing-Communications, and other colleagues, who can assist in the planning and execution of the various individual giving campaigns and prioritized. Serve as the point person to help plan, support and coordinate work with regional site development colleagues on special individual giving campaigns or major organizational campaigns as needed.
What You Bring
Education/Certifications/Licenses:
- Bachelor's degree required
- Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation a plus, but not required
Related Work Experience
- Five to ten years of successful fundraising experience in secondary or higher Education, or related, relevant nonprofit organization.
- Demonstrated experience identifying and closing gifts of $25,000+ from individual donors.
- History of using data analysis and reporting to inform decisions as they relate to donor communications, improving annual fund and donor stewardship program.
- Previous experience implementing and managing a year-round, high-touch donor stewardship program.
- Experience with fundraising software and donor database software; SalesForce experience a plus
Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:
- Superb oral, written, and interpersonal communication
- Strategic thinker and problem-solver, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
- A proven high degree of integrity, ethical decision-making, and sound business
- Travels as necessary locally, regionally and nationally to manage portfolio of
- Appreciation and understanding of the mission of College Possible and the ability to articulate organizational values internally and externally.
- High energy, enthusiastic, strong commitment to public service and social
- Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, volunteers, donors, program participants and other supporters.
- Desire to work in a growing nonprofit organization, ability to adapt, creativity and commitment to excellence highly valued.
Computer/Software Skills:
- Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and donor database software.
- SalesForce experience is strongly preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed
- Office environment with limited travel
- Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day
What We Offer
- In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:
- An opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact both internally and in the broader country
- A competitive salary commensurate with experience
- excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program
- Personalized professional development and growth opportunities
To Join Our Growing College Possible Team
Please apply at CollegePossible.org/careers Include a resume and cover letter.
