Regional Development Officer (RDO)
Denver, CO or Colorado Springs, CO
Full Time
Experienced
In all its development activities, the Advancement team is inspired by the belief that fundraising for Christian purposes is a ministry to both the donors and beneficiaries. As Henri Nouwen wrote in A Spirituality of Fundraising, "Fundraising is first and foremost a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission."
Summary:
The Regional Development Officer (RDO) plays a pivotal role in advancing ECHO’s mission to reduce hunger and improve lives through sustainable agriculture by planting, cultivating, and strengthening relationships with all types of donor partners, including individuals, foundations, church partners, and corporations within an assigned region. The RDO is responsible for stewarding a mid-level and major gift donor portfolio while identifying and engaging new supporters to expand ECHO's support network.
In alignment with ECHO’s "Fully Forward Together" Strategic Framework, the RDO collaborates with the Advancement team to implement strategic communications and fundraising initiatives that deepen donor engagement and increase fundraising capacity. The RDO ensures the organization's mission is effectively communicated and supported by championing ECHO's core attributes and maintaining a donor-centered approach.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Portfolio Management and Donor Stewardship
Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith.
Organizational Relationships:
This position has no direct reports.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, and work with computers/technology.
Work Environment:
Office work environment with outdoor activity. There are times when work is conducted in an outdoor or field office (international and domestic) setting. Ability to work in hot and humid conditions. Preferred location: Denver, CO or Colorado Springs, CO.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work may vary. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel:
Travel domestically and internationally may involve up to 25% of time annually.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
AAP/EEO Statement:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.
ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
Summary:
The Regional Development Officer (RDO) plays a pivotal role in advancing ECHO’s mission to reduce hunger and improve lives through sustainable agriculture by planting, cultivating, and strengthening relationships with all types of donor partners, including individuals, foundations, church partners, and corporations within an assigned region. The RDO is responsible for stewarding a mid-level and major gift donor portfolio while identifying and engaging new supporters to expand ECHO's support network.
In alignment with ECHO’s "Fully Forward Together" Strategic Framework, the RDO collaborates with the Advancement team to implement strategic communications and fundraising initiatives that deepen donor engagement and increase fundraising capacity. The RDO ensures the organization's mission is effectively communicated and supported by championing ECHO's core attributes and maintaining a donor-centered approach.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Portfolio Management and Donor Stewardship
- Manage a portfolio of mid-level and major gift donors in the Midwestern and Western United States, ensuring timely and effective donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Build meaningful relationships with new and existing donors, aligning their philanthropic interests with ECHO’s mission and programs.
- Collaborate with the Advancement and Communications teams to develop tailored proposals, reports, and donor engagement materials, including personalized letters, thank-you notes, presentation decks, impact updates, and other donor-facing communications.
- Develop and execute a regional fundraising plan to meet or exceed annual revenue goals, collaborating with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Advancement team to align with organizational strategy.
- Identify, engage, and cultivate new donor prospects.
- Plan and implement regional fundraising campaigns and events that align with ECHO's strategic goals, ensuring successful donor engagement and participation.
- Assist with grant development by preparing proposals and reports to secure funding for global programs.
- Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, contributions, and regional activities using ECHO’s donor management systems.
- Generate regular reports on fundraising efforts, donor engagement, and outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and make necessary adjustments.
- Ensure donor support is effectively allocated to meet program needs.
- Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in International Development, Marketing, Advertising, Nonprofit Management, Psychology, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Experience: 3-5 years in fundraising, donor relations, or program development, preferably in a global development non-profit setting.
- Knowledge: Understanding of international sustainable agriculture, food security, or community development programs desirable.
- Networking Skills: Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Communication Skills: Proficiency in grant writing and public speaking.
- Organizational Skills: Strong time-management and ability to work independently and collaboratively virtually as well as in-person.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, donor management software (Salesforce) and ability to creatively recommend and use new systems and processes.
- Travel: Willingness to travel regionally and occasionally internationally.
- Alignment with ECHO’s Mission and Values: Strong commitment to ECHO’s Christian values, vision, and mission to reduce hunger and improve lives through sustainable agriculture.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to build and sustain long-term relationships with diverse donors, partners, and stakeholders.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities, organizations, and partners across various cultural contexts.
- Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving: Aptitude for creative problem-solving and strategic planning to advance organizational goals.
- Self-Motivation and Goal Orientation: Resourceful, results-oriented, and self-motivated approach to work, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Organizational and Time-Management Skills: Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain attention to detail while meeting deadlines.
Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith.
Organizational Relationships:
This position has no direct reports.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, and work with computers/technology.
Work Environment:
Office work environment with outdoor activity. There are times when work is conducted in an outdoor or field office (international and domestic) setting. Ability to work in hot and humid conditions. Preferred location: Denver, CO or Colorado Springs, CO.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work may vary. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel:
Travel domestically and internationally may involve up to 25% of time annually.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
AAP/EEO Statement:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.
ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
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