Jobs & Careers

Title: Individual Giving Officer

Report: Director of Development

Location: Field-based role covering Delaware, with emphasis on Sussex County 

Position Type: Exempt 

Travel: Occasional 

About Spotlight Delaware
Spotlight Delaware is a nonprofit, collaborative, community-powered newsroom with a mission to engage, empower and connect Delawareans with local news and information. We envision a Delaware where all neighbors have access to the local news and information they need to thrive on a daily basis, participate in local democracy and engage with their communities.

The Individual Giving Officer will play a pivotal role in building Spotlight Delaware’s major donor program statewide, with specific emphasis on southern Delaware. This is a relationship-centered position for a strategic, self-directed fundraiser who excels at connecting donor passions with mission-driven journalism.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Individual Giving Officer develops, manages, and grows a portfolio of major donors and prospects across Delaware. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making gifts of $5,000 and above. The Individual Giving Officer will design personalized donor strategies, secure major gifts, and strengthen long-term philanthropic relationships that advance Spotlight Delaware’s mission.

This position requires regular travel throughout Delaware to meet donors where they are—particularly in Sussex County. This role requires a personal vehicle and mileage is reimbursed. Candidates must live in Delaware (strong preference for Sussex County), and ideally have deep familiarity with the state’s communities and philanthropic landscape.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of 125–150 major donors and prospects.
• Conduct a structured qualification process to build a portfolio of donors giving $5,000+.
• Develop individualized donor goals based on giving history, capacity, interests, and feedback.
• Create and execute personalized donor engagement plans to retain, upgrade, and inspire sustained giving.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation of all donor interactions in Spotlight Delaware’s CRM.

Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship 

• Design and implement customized cultivation strategies to move prospects through the donor lifecycle.
• Conduct face-to-face and virtual solicitations; prepare compelling proposals and tailored asks.
• Implement frequent donor touchpoints, including personalized updates, calls, emails, meetings, and stewardship communications.
• Collaborate with Spotlight Delaware’s editorial and engagement teams to gather program information and translate journalism impact into donor-centered narratives.
• Prepare donor reports, briefings, and stewardship materials that demonstrate transparency and impact.

Donor Engagement & Events 

• Attend community events, civic gatherings, and Spotlight Delaware programs to meet donors and prospects.
• Organize small donor gatherings, house parties, newsroom visits, and briefings to deepen donor connection.
• Support cultivation opportunities for mid-level donors transitioning into major giving.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Development to develop annual major gift strategies and revenue forecasts.
• Partner with Spotlight Delaware’s leadership to identify funding priorities and articulate compelling cases for support.
• Work closely with the Director of Audience and Membership on moves management and the broader donor pipeline
• Coordinate moves management and prepare briefing materials for leadership.
• Ensure compliance with donor intent, gift acceptance policies, and ethical fundraising standards.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

Required

• 5–7 years of successful fundraising experience, preferably in major gifts, or equivalent sales experience.
• Delaware residency (or willingness to relocate within 60 days).
• Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts and meet revenue goals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with high emotional intelligence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, ROI, or similar).
• Ability to travel statewide and work occasional evenings/weekends for donor events.

Preferred

• Current residency and deep network in Delaware. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in Delaware’s philanthropic, civic, or nonprofit landscape.
• Familiarity with nonprofit journalism or mission-driven communications.
• CFRE or advanced fundraising certification.

Personal Attributes  

• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented approach.
• Curious, proactive, and solutions-oriented.
• Collaborative team player with strong organizational skills.
• Comfortable with long cultivation cycles and donor-centered relationship building.

Work Environment

• We are a hybrid organization based in Wilmington and Georgetown.
• Residence in Delaware required
• Work schedule flexibility required 
• Must have your own vehicle

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation: $75-$95K/year (commensurate with experience)

In addition to competitive pay and the opportunity to work with a great group of people, Spotlight Delaware provides exceptional benefits to all eligible employees. Current benefits for full-time employees include:

• Excellent health, dental and vision coverage
• Four weeks PTO
• Nine paid holidays plus three floating holidays
• 403(b) with employer match
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Paid parental leave

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (proposal, donor communication, or stewardship piece) to jobs@spotlightdelaware.org with the subject line Individual Giving Officer – Your Name.

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; priority given to applications received by Oct. 1. 

We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities.