Philanthropy Officer

ABOUT UNION RESCUE MISSION

For more than 135 years, Union Rescue Mission (URM) has served as a place of refuge, restoration, and hope for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Founded in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and the oldest in Los Angeles.

Each day, we walk alongside individuals and families as they journey from crisis to stability through emergency services, long-term recovery programs, housing support, education, workforce development, and spiritual care. Rooted in the compassion of Christ, URM is committed to restoring dignity, rebuilding lives, and helping people lead the way home.

Union Rescue Mission serves more than 1,300 individuals nightly across its campuses and provides thousands of meals, recovery services, workforce development opportunities, housing resources, and faith-based support annually.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Philanthropy Officer serves as a frontline fundraising professional and trusted ambassador for Union Rescue Mission, building meaningful relationships that inspire transformational philanthropy and advance URM's mission of bringing hope, healing, and restoration to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness.

While titled Philanthropy Officer, this role functions as a major gifts fundraising position focused on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors capable of making significant philanthropic investments.

The successful candidate is a highly relational, results-oriented fundraiser who understands that philanthropy is rooted in partnership, trust, and shared purpose.

PORTFOLIO & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Manage and actively engage a portfolio of assigned donors and prospects.

• Conduct meaningful face-to-face donor visits, tours, qualification meetings, cultivation meetings, and stewardship conversations each month.

• Develop and execute strategic donor engagement plans designed to deepen relationships and increase philanthropic investment.

• Achieve agreed upon fundraising goals donor relationships gow and portfolio performance advances.

• Utilize moves management principles and donor-centered fundraising strategies.

• Consistently document donor interactions, strategies, and next steps within the CRM.

CORE WORK PRINCIPLE

Colossians 3:23 serves as the foundation for URM’s standard of excellence:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for people."

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 individual donors and prospects.

• Build authentic relationships through personal visits, tours, events, calls, correspondence, and stewardship activities.

• Identify donor interests and align philanthropic opportunities with organizational priorities.

• Identify, research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and report back to donors.

• Partner closely with program leadership, executive leadership, donor relations, communications, and fellow members of the Philanthropy team to create meaningful donor experiences and inspire transformational giving.

• Collaborate with colleagues to develop donor-specific cultivation and solicitation strategies.

• Ensure donors receive timely gratitude, impact reporting, and personalized stewardship.

• Represent URM professionally and passionately at donor meetings, tours, community events, and Mission activities.

• Encourage and support guests in their faith journey and growth in Jesus Christ.

DONOR PHILOSOPHY

We believe donors are partners in mission. Our goal is not simply to secure gifts, but to cultivate enduring relationships that connect generous individuals to meaningful opportunities for impact.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor development, relationship management, sales, or a related field.

• Experience managing a major gift portfolio strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Experience with moves management methodologies and donor strategy development preferred.

• Knowledge of fundraising CRMs such as Salesforce preferred.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Commitment to ethical fundraising practices consistent with donor-centered philanthropy and AFP ethical standards.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Union Rescue Mission believes in investing in its people.

Participation in professional associations, conferences, workshops, webinars, and continuing education opportunities is encouraged.

Membership in AFP and pursuit of the CFRE credential are encouraged and may be supported by the organization.

FLEXIBLE WORK ENVIRONMENT

URM recognizes that effective fundraising happens both in the office and in the community. Flexible work arrangements may be available when appropriate and consistent with organizational needs and fundraising objectives.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $83,400 – $98,000 annually

Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

• 403(b) retirement plan

• Life and disability insurance

• Employee assistance resources

• Professional development support

• Conference and continuing education opportunities

• Opportunities for advancement and leadership growth

WHY JOIN UNION RESCUE MISSION?

At Union Rescue Mission, philanthropy changes lives.

Every relationship cultivated, every gift secured, and every partnership strengthened helps provide meals, shelter, recovery services, education, workforce development, housing, and hope to individuals and families seeking a new beginning.

If you are passionate about building meaningful relationships, advancing a mission greater than yourself, and helping individuals and families find a pathway from crisis to hope, we invite you to join us in helping lead The Way Home.