Job Summary: 

Rhode Island School of Design seeks a talented professional to join the Office of Institutional Advancement (IA). IA cultivates and stewards relationships from a variety of sources to support the priorities of the college. Institutional Advancement understands that art and design drive human progress and produces innovations that shape our world. It is deeply committed to building an inclusive community enlivened by a determination to address the most important challenges of our time. The RISD Fund Officer employs customer relationship management skills to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and existing donors in support of the RISD Fund which encourages unrestricted and designated, current use gifts. The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions: 

• Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of assigned prospective donors through face-to-face visits, engagement events, and other means. Tasked with personally executing solicitations and closing gifts to secure annual leadership gifts of $2,500 or more for unrestricted and designated, current use purposes.
• Manage and maintain a portfolio of 150 prospective and current donors.
• Develop and execute an annual solicitation plan for submitted proposals and gift closures providing gift projections of commitments.
• Maintain a rigorous schedule of personal contacts with assigned prospects, creating moves management plans related to them that include strategies of engagement and solicitations.
• Collaborate with the Alumni Relations team and Executive Director, RISD Fund to leverage appropriate Alumni Association, 1877 Society, and Parents’ Council events and volunteer opportunities for select prospective and current donors.
• At the direction of the Executive Director, RISD Fund staff and/or attend assigned 1877 Society and Parents’ Council events.
• Seamlessly transition newly identified prospective and current donors with gift capacity of $100,000 or more to Philanthropy Officers for further relationship development.
• Utilize Raiser’s Edge prospect tracking/management system, which identifies, assigns, rates, and tracks assigned prospects, to comply with department policies and procedures.
• Conduct independent research through the Institutional Engagement database, Internet sources, and referrals from RISD representatives and volunteers to identify and appropriately engage assigned prospects.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience: 

• Proven ability to communicate and present persuasively, build relationships and influence others.
• Commitment to prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities.
• Strong organizational and database skills.
•  Willingness to travel on daily and/or weekly basis locally or assigned geographic territories. Interest/experience in art and design desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• One or more years of fundraising (or related sales) experience devising and executing face-to-face solicitations.

Work Schedule: 35 hours per day, 12 months per year

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.