Development Officer, Annual Giving

Company Description

Since our founding in 1961, WWF has been committed to protecting nature and its resources. We understand that nature is our planet’s greatest asset, intrinsically linked to human survival — and that it needs our help. Our work to reverse nature loss and conserve biodiversity has never been more urgent.

As the world’s leading conservation organization—with offices on six continents and in nearly 100 countries—our global reach includes the world’s most critical forests, river systems, wetlands, savannas, and ocean habitats. By conserving these places and supporting sustainable livelihoods within them, we can keep the Earth in balance for people, wildlife, and the planet.

Job Description

Major Function 

Identifies, cultivates, and stewards high-value annual giving donors and prospects. Manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, including Leadership Partners ($10,000 to $25,000) and Partners in Conservation ($1,000 to $10,000) with capacity to significantly increase their annual support. Works toward achieving World Wildlife Fund’s fundraising objectives for the Annual Giving team, following Development department priorities and goals. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Takes responsibility for raising funds toward Annual Giving team goals.  Working with the Director, develops and implements cultivation and stewardship strategies for high-value annual giving prospects and donors.  Monitors performance against agreed upon objectives and goals.  Executes work plan in accordance with Annual Giving team goals as well as individual goals. 

• Implements program of high-touch personal contact with high-value annual giving donors and prospects. Makes regular identification, cultivation, and stewardship contacts, with the goal of deepening their engagement and connection with WWF to lead to increases in their unrestricted annual support. 

• Works to identify suspects/prospects with major gift potential for hand-off to individual giving staff for further qualification.  Prepares relevant materials for individual giving staff, and/or other development staff when appropriate. 

• Researches annual giving suspects/prospects/donors, develops cultivation strategies, writes, edits and coordinates personal correspondence.   

• Monitors donor relationships for high-value annual giving prospects and donors to ensure appropriate level of interaction.  Monitors trends in giving and integrates findings into cultivation strategies.  Keeps up to date on programmatic developments for application in cultivation strategies and donor relations. 

• Responds to inquiries from donors and prospects and follows up with appropriate cultivation and program information.  Works collaboratively with Regional Philanthropy and Gift Planning teams to provide comprehensive engagement and giving opportunities for donor cultivation.   

• Assists Director and other development staff to support WWF engagement opportunities (i.e. events, travel, webinars, etc.) and projects as needed. 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Key Competencies:

• Reliability, Independence, & Follow-Through – Independently manages donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising responsibilities to support Annual Giving goals and strengthen donor relationships. Takes accountability for meeting objectives, responding promptly to donor needs, and coordinating effectively with internal teams to ensure timely and high-quality execution. 
• Organization/Attention-To-Detail/Time Management – Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills by effectively prioritizing donor engagement activities, managing multiple donor relationships, and maintaining accurate donor communications and records. 
• Interpersonal Communications & Collaboration – Communicates clearly and professionally with donors and collaborates effectively across teams to manage relationships, resolve inquiries, and support coordinated fundraising and stewardship efforts. 
• Relationship Management and Stakeholder Engagement – Represents WWF in conversation and correspondence with donors and prospects, projecting a poised, professional demeanor that conveys the organization’s reputation and standing as a global conservation leader. 
• Intellectual Curiosity – Pursues information about WWF programs to better comprehend conservation objectives and strategy to convey organizational alignment with donor interests. Asks questions and invites conversations with donors to understand philanthropic priorities and other factors impacting giving decisions. 
• Research and Analytical Skills – Pays close attention to detail in research, correspondence, reporting, and follow-through to ensure timely, high-quality execution of fundraising and stewardship strategies.

Skills and Abilities: 

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.  Knowledge of development practices and techniques is required.  Position requires a minimum of four years of demonstrated success in fundraising, including the cultivation and solicitation of donors.  

• Demonstrates ability to professionally represent WWF to donors, members and the public. 

• Demonstrates ability to work independently and make significant contributions as a member of a team. 

• Demonstrates flexibility to changing situations and ability to balance competing demands and priorities. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 

• Excellent organizational ability, attention to detail, time-management skills, and ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.  

• Knowledge of conservation issues is preferred.   

• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams. 

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration: 

  • Courage Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult or unpopular. 

  • Integrity Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable. 

  • Respect Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement. 

  • Collaboration Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals. 

Additional Information

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.