Senior Advancement Officer

Position Summary

The Senior Advancement Officer plays a critical role in advancing Food Lifeline's mission to feed people experiencing hunger today while working to end hunger for tomorrow across Western Washington. This position is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and growing relationships with individual donors, private family foundations, and legacy giving prospects.

Managing a portfolio of approximately 100–150 donors and prospects, the Advancement Officer develops personalized engagement strategies that inspire transformational philanthropy, including five- and six-figure gifts, multi-year commitments, and planned gifts. This position also oversees Food Lifeline's planned giving program and works closely with the Development team to strengthen donor relationships and expand philanthropic investment in our mission.

Success in this role requires strategic relationship building, exceptional communication, strong project management, and a passion for connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to create lasting community impact.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 major donors, family foundations, and planned giving prospects.
• Raise approximately $2 million annually through major gifts, multi-year commitments, and legacy giving.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement strategies using moves management best practices.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects while strengthening relationships with existing donors.
• Prepare compelling proposals, impact reports, stewardship communications, and donor correspondence.
• Manage Food Lifeline's planned giving program, including stewardship of legacy donors and collaboration with our planned giving partner, FreeWill.
• Collaborate with Development, Marketing & Communications, Executive Leadership, and program staff to align donor interests with organizational priorities.
• Maintain accurate donor records and activity in Raiser’s Edge, ensuring timely documentation and data integrity.
• Analyze fundraising performance and donor engagement metrics to inform strategy and improve results.
• Represent Food Lifeline at donor meetings, community events, speaking engagements,and cultivation activities.
• Support donor events and other fundraising initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Relationship-building skills that foster trust, authenticity, and long-term donor engagement.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to manage complex donor strategies and prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when managing confidential donor information.
• Initiative, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Proficiency using CRM systems and data to guide fundraising strategy and measure success.
• A collaborative approach that values partnership across teams and departments.

Required Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience with demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Proven experience managing a major gift portfolio and closing significant philanthropic investments.
• Knowledge of planned giving principles, estate planning, and charitable giving vehicles.
• Experience developing donor strategies and managing moves management activities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Experience using donor databases or CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Experience working within food banking, nonprofit organizations, or human services is preferred but not required.

Our Mission and Values

At Food Lifeline, we believe ending hunger requires strong partnerships, community leadership, and a commitment to equity. We value lived experience and recognize it as an important form of expertise. We strongly encourage candidates with lived experience related to hunger, poverty, or the communities we serve to apply.

We are committed to building an inclusive, community-centered workplace where every employee is respected, supported, and empowered to contribute. We seek team members who embrace collaboration, continuous learning, and our shared commitment to equity, belonging, and serving our community with dignity.

Expected Hours

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position based in Seattle, Washington, with a requirement to work onsite at least three days each week. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support donor meetings, events, and community engagement activities.

Our benefits include:

• 100% Employer-paid medical coverage for employees and dependent children
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Generous paid time off, including paid parental leave
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to making a difference

Our Commitment to Equity

We value lived experience as an important form of expertise and strongly encourage candidates with lived experience related to hunger, poverty, or the communities we serve to apply. We believe our work is strongest when it is informed by diverse perspectives, community-centered leadership, and a shared commitment to ending hunger.

Position Details

• Full-time, exempt, hybrid position
• Three days per week at home in Seattle
• Candidates must be able to live and work in the greater Seattle area
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support donor meetings and special events