Philanthropy Officer

What We Need

Cascade Bicycle Club is seeking a relationship builder to serve as the next Philanthropy Officer and generate philanthropic revenue for Cascade’s mission through raising major gifts. The Philanthropy Officer will serve this dynamic, well-established, and respected organization by demonstrating a passion for bicycling and for growing the influence and impact of the organization’s mission.

Who We Are

Cascade Bicycle Club, the nation's largest statewide bicycle nonprofit, is 10,000-members, 56-years old, and 58-staff strong, serving bike riders of all ages and abilities throughout the state of Washington. We teach the joys of bicycling, advocate for safe places to ride, and produce community rides and events. Our signature programs include the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, the Pedaling Relief Project, advocacy for connected trail networks and on-street bike networks in Seattle and across the Puget Sound Region, Free Group Rides, Adult Classes, Let's Go, and the Major Taylor Project.

Washington Bikes promotes the health, safety, environmental, and economic benefits of bicycling. We advocate for people who bike, endorse political candidates, and hold officials accountable. We collaborate with community members and public officials to shape policies and investments in active transportation that create equitable, sustainable, and thriving communities across Washington state.

Our Values:

• Equity - We lead with a racial equity lens to eliminate inequities in community health outcomes and in mobility and transportation access. Bicycles are a tool for liberation.
• Climate Justice & Clean Air - Bicycles are clean, healthy, and an affordable solution to help solve the climate crisis, clean our air, reduce transportation pollution, and create sustainable communities.
• Community - We create opportunities for people to come together by removing barriers and fostering a sense of belonging. Bicycles are an integral part of creating connected, equitable and thriving communities.
• Safety - Safety is a right; we champion spaces that foster physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Collaboration - We share power, resources, and knowledge as a means to enrich lives and form mutually beneficial partnerships. We celebrate the existing strengths of our partners and participants and seek to be an accessible asset for others.

For a detailed description of the organization and its programs, please visit http://www.cascade.org or http://www.wabikes.org

What You’ll Bring

Duties and Responsibilities

30% – Identify Prospects and Grow Major Gift Pipeline

• Design and maintain systems to proactively identify, qualify, and cultivate prospects with the capacity to give $1,500 or more
• Conduct prospect research using donation records, prospect screenings, and other internal and external sources
• Partner with board members, development colleagues, program staff, the Executive Director, and volunteers to surface new prospects and build relationships
• Plan and execute regular donor cultivation events and mission-based experiences to introduce prospective major gift donors to Cascade’s mission

60% – Direct Fundraising Responsibilities

• Directly generate or support the delivery of 20-30% of Cascade Bicycle Club’s Development Department revenue through major gift solicitation
• Support colleagues on the generation of an additional 10-15% of Cascade Bicycle Club’s Development Department revenue through corporate grants, matched giving (including volunteer matches), and events-based fundraising.
• Partner closely with Development Director to plan and execute a regular appeals cadence to ensure year-round cash flow
• Manage a portfolio of 150-200 active major gift donors and prospects, including family foundations and key connectors
• Create tailored appeals and stewardship plans that address the specific interests and priorities of especially high-impact donors and align with Cascade's mission and Community Centric Fundraising principles
• Create and implement customized, multi-year engagement and solicitation plans; document all activity in the Salesforce CRM
• Conduct regular donor meetings to execute qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Collaborate with program staff to develop compelling solicitation materials and donor reports
• Provide effective stewardship through impact reporting, meaningful engagement opportunities, and strategic follow-up
• Plan and execute regular donor cultivation events and mission-based experiences to demonstrate philanthropic impact to existing donors and deepen engagement
• Support the success of Cascade’s regular fundraising events (including the Bike Everywhere Luncheon) by recruiting and supporting table captains, securing major gift commitments and matching funds, and contributing to program content

10% – Support Planned Giving Program

• Collaborate with Development Director and Board to develop a robust planned giving program coupled with a new quasi-endowment strategy
• Develop and implement outreach and marketing strategies for legacy giving across media
• Identify and cultivate planned giving prospects from Cascade’s donor base
• Steward existing legacy donors through personalized outreach and engagement opportunities
• Develop and maintain organized records of legacy prospects and confirmed planned gifts to support stewardship and program growth

Skills and Competencies

• Highly motivated and accountable, with a strong sense of ownership over outcomes
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to generate new ideas and approaches
• Exceptionally organized; able to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Effective communicator who brings strong interpersonal skills to interactions with donors, volunteers, and colleagues
• Collaborative and collegial; thrives in a team-oriented environment
• Good sense of judgment and discretion
• Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends for events or key deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable, and brings a sense of humor to their work

Qualifications

• Three or more years of successful experience in Development, preferably in private philanthropy. Related experience in sales, sponsorships, etc. is considered.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Able to meet in person frequently with donors, primarily located in King County
• Proficiency with CRM systems required (Salesforce experience a plus)
• Donor communication experience preferred
• Passion for Cascade’s mission preferred

Job Details

This position is full-time exempt and remote-hybrid eligible. Generally, work can be done off-site, provided there is no loss to team collaboration, the needs of the organization, and the essential functions of the position. However, residence in Washington state and the ability to come into the office one day per week are required. Some weekend and evening work (on average one weekend and 1-2 evenings per month) is required. Typical weekly hours for this position are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cascade Bicycle Club is on a journey to becoming an anti-racist organization. We strongly encourage applications from people who have historically been underrepresented in the bicycle industry, advocacy, and nonprofit work.

Cascade is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity, racial equity, and inclusion. Cascade does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination. We strive to have a diverse board, staff, and volunteer base that is reflective of the communities we serve. This position is subject to reference checks and the completion of a background check. Cascade will consider qualified applicants for employment pursuant to the Seattle Fair Chance Employment Ordinance and Washington State Fair Chance Act.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination.

Hiring Timeline

Estimated date of hire for this position is November 2026. Application review will begin September 14. Priority will be given to applications received by this date.

Cascade offers a robust benefits package, which includes:

• Employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Optional long-term disability and additional life insurance coverage
• Option to contribute to a health and/or dependent care FSA
• 401k with 5% employer matching
• 160 hours of paid time off front-loaded annually + 12 paid sick days + 12 paid federal holidays
• Office-wide paid winter recess between December 25 and January 1
• 4 weeks paid parental leave after one year of employment
• Flexible schedule available
• ORCA transit pass
• $60 monthly cell phone stipend
• Free entry and guest pass on most Cascade rides
• Abundant discounts and offers with retailers and partner organizations
• Beautiful open office workspace with fresh airflow and bright natural lighting.
• Option to sit or stand with individual, adjustable motorized desks.