Position Description Good Grief seeks a skilled fundraiser and relationship builder to serve as our first Philanthropy Officer, a new position created to lead and expand our major gifts and individual donor program during a pivotal moment of growth. This role will play a central part in meeting our ambitious revenue goals and sustaining Good Grief's future by cultivating and stewarding individual donors, engaging the Board and alumni families in fundraising, and supporting strategic outreach to institutional funders.
The Philanthropy Officer reports to the Executive Director and works closely with both the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees. The Director of Development and Operations will provide strategic support and guidance to this role. This position is ideal for someone who is energized by cultivating relationships, comfortable working closely with leadership and board members, and excited to help shape and grow a major gifts program from the ground up.
Good Grief was founded in 2004 to build resilience in children, strengthen families, and empower communities to grow from loss and adversity. Through free peer support and education programs, Good Grief supports bereaved children and families at our two family centers and educates teachers, administrators, parents, and community organizations to create a more grief informed and supportive community. We are a mission-driven, child-centered organization grounded in compassion, community, and the power of connection.
Primary Responsibilities The percentages below represent approximate allocations of time and may shift based on organizational priorities.
Major Gifts & Individual Donor Cultivation (50%) - Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects (gifts of $5,000+)
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors with capacity to make significant gifts, including alumni families, long-time supporters, and new leads
- Partner with the Executive Director and Board members on high-level solicitations
- Develop cultivation strategies and personalized engagement plans for top donors
- Identify opportunities for multi-year gifts and legacy giving
Donor Stewardship & Pipeline Development (20%) - Create meaningful stewardship plans to recognize and retain major donors
- Collaborate with the Director of Development and Operations to track touchpoints and ensure timely follow-up and reporting
- Analyze donor data to identify upgrade and re-engagement opportunities
- Contribute to broader donor communications and segmentation strategy
- Support the growth of Good Grief's alumni engagement efforts
Board & Volunteer Engagement (15%) - Equip and support Board members in donor outreach and fundraising efforts
- Help cultivate a culture of philanthropy across the Board and volunteer community
- Develop tools, training, and prompts to encourage active fundraising participation
- Serve as a staff lead for Board involvement in the major gifts program
Events, Campaign Support & Institutional Funders (10%) - Ensure major donors are meaningfully engaged in key events, including the annual gala and 5Ks
- Collaborate with the development team to align donor strategy across campaigns and events
- Participate in post-event donor follow-up and conversion efforts
- Support conversations and cultivation strategies with institutional funders, including foundations and corporate partners, in coordination with the Executive Director and Director of Development
- Assist in preparing for solicitation meetings with funders (e.g., donor research, briefing materials, pitch refinement)
Organizational Strategy & Administration (5%) - Work with the Executive Director and Director of Development to support long-term fundraising strategy
- Track progress toward individual giving goals and generate reports for leadership and board committees
- Maintain accurate records of donor activity in the CRM system (Raiser's Edge)
- Stay current on best practices in major gifts and philanthropic trends
Qualifications - 5-7+ years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success managing a portfolio and securing gifts of $5,000+
- Strong relationship-building skills and a donor-centered approach to fundraising
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Comfort working with senior leadership, Board members, and high-net-worth individuals
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge)
- Experience working in grief, mental health, or youth-serving organizations is a plus
- Passion for Good Grief's mission and the families we serve
This is a flexible position based in New Jersey. The candidate must be able to work in person periodically at both the Princeton and Morristown offices, and regularly meet with donors and partners throughout the state. Some evening and weekend hours are required for events and programs.