Greater Cleveland Food Bank
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Consider a career that allows you to make a positive impact on others' lives while enhancing your own. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, provided over 50 million meals in 2024 to those in need across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland, and Richland counties.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Mission Statement: "We work to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day."
Join the Greater Cleveland Food Bank team and experience a supportive culture of continuous learning and development. We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits, including:
Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay beginning day one Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance Generous retirement plan Wellness programs Childcare assistance Tuition and Student Loan assistance Short-term and long-term disability coverage Life insurance Apply today and become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to making a difference in the community.
SUMMARY
The Development Specialist plays a key role in advancing the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's mission by building and sustaining strong relationships with donors and volunteers. This position supports our major and planned giving efforts, focusing primarily on cultivating and stewarding mid-level donors, reengaging lapsed supporters, and managing key volunteer relationships.
Working closely with the Associate Director of Individual Giving and the Development team, the Development Specialist is responsible for managing a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects (typically $2,500 and below), coordinating donor research, and implementing thoughtful cultivation and stewardship strategies. A central part of the role includes co-managing our planned giving platform, FreeWill, and leading copywriting efforts for planned giving appeals.
This role requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to help meet revenue goals, grow donor engagement, and deepen the impact of the Food Bank's fundraising initiatives.
Requirements
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are central to the role of Development Specialist. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support the success of the Development team and Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding mid-major and major gift donors, including support for initiatives such as the Harvest for Hunger Campaign. Manage a portfolio of mid-major donors and prospects, regularly conducting personal solicitations to meet fundraising goals. Utilize iWave and other tools to conduct donor research and apply findings to engagement strategies. Steward, retain, and grow giving among assigned donor groups (e.g., annual and special event donors at $2,500 and below), and help create individualized stewardship plans for high-potential supporters. Engage and acquire donors through external meetings, phone calls, and community events. Represent the Food Bank at these and other opportunities - such as donor tours and gatherings - to build relationships, deepen engagement, and grow support for our mission. Personally engage top donors with meaningful recognition and communications that highlight their impact and encourage long-term support. Ensure timely and thoughtful donor acknowledgments through calls, notes, and letters, with follow-ups as appropriate. Help connect new and existing donors to programs, volunteer opportunities, events, and giving options that align with their interests. Learn about donor motivations and preferences to enhance recognition strategies and strengthen loyalty. Collaborate with the Associate Director of Individual Giving to grow the Harvest of Hope Society and identify mid-level and major gift prospects. Support planning and execution of donor cultivation events with Major Gifts team members. Promote planned giving opportunities and grow the Tomorrow's Harvest Planned Giving Society, helping donors understand the impact of legacy gifts. Track and follow up on Harvest of Hope survey responses and input data accordingly. Provide staffing support for special events such as Market at the Food Bank, Harvest of Hope Society Reception, Taste of the Browns, and the Annual Meeting, with a focus on donor engagement. Stay current on fundraising best practices and participate in ongoing professional development and required staff meetings. Assist senior Development staff with administrative support including generating reports, tracking progress, and data exports. Actively support and champion initiatives aimed at driving continuous improvement throughout the organization. May participate in one of the following: LEAN council, a kaizen, 5S campaign or other process improvement efforts to support continuous improvement and improved processes within the food bank. Perform additional duties as needed to support team goals and donor engagement. Supervisory Responsibilities
N/A
QUALIFICATIONS
Required commitment to making interactions across different cultures and backgrounds a strength of our organization as demonstrated through work, life or community experience. Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university is preferred. A minimum of two years of direct experience in fundraising, sales, or a similar relationship-focused role is required, with a proven ability to build strong connections and secure financial support. Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. Experience with donor or CRM databases, such as Raiser's Edge, is preferred. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Travel Requirements: Some local travel is required. Key Competencies:
Highly motivated and adept at thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, set timelines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Exceptional interpersonal skills to engage donors and prospects with sincerity, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Ability to effectively represent the Board of Directors and the President & CEO, maintaining strong communication with a wide range of stakeholders, including business professionals, community leaders, volunteers, and staff. Preferred Qualifications:
A deep understanding of and appreciation for the mission of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and its efforts to fight hunger in the Greater Cleveland area. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position involves various physical activities, including frequent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching with hands and arms. Regular use of hands for tasks such as handling, typing, and feeling is required, along with the ability to talk, listen, and hear.
Lifting Requirements: Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision Requirements: Must have close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The typical noise level is quiet.
Salary Range: $ $48,000 - $55,000 per year
Proud to be a North Coast 99 Employer for 2017-2023
Please note that the Food Bank does not sponsor work visas for our positions. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of an initial background check, drug screening, physical examination, and employment verification, and will be completed during the onboarding process.
Salary Description
Salary range: $48,000 - $55,000
Full-time
Description
Consider a career that allows you to make a positive impact on others' lives while enhancing your own. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, provided over 50 million meals in 2024 to those in need across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland, and Richland counties.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Mission Statement: "We work to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day."
Join the Greater Cleveland Food Bank team and experience a supportive culture of continuous learning and development. We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits, including:
Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay beginning day one Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance Generous retirement plan Wellness programs Childcare assistance Tuition and Student Loan assistance Short-term and long-term disability coverage Life insurance Apply today and become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to making a difference in the community.
SUMMARY
The Development Specialist plays a key role in advancing the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's mission by building and sustaining strong relationships with donors and volunteers. This position supports our major and planned giving efforts, focusing primarily on cultivating and stewarding mid-level donors, reengaging lapsed supporters, and managing key volunteer relationships.
Working closely with the Associate Director of Individual Giving and the Development team, the Development Specialist is responsible for managing a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects (typically $2,500 and below), coordinating donor research, and implementing thoughtful cultivation and stewardship strategies. A central part of the role includes co-managing our planned giving platform, FreeWill, and leading copywriting efforts for planned giving appeals.
This role requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to help meet revenue goals, grow donor engagement, and deepen the impact of the Food Bank's fundraising initiatives.
Requirements
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are central to the role of Development Specialist. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support the success of the Development team and Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding mid-major and major gift donors, including support for initiatives such as the Harvest for Hunger Campaign. Manage a portfolio of mid-major donors and prospects, regularly conducting personal solicitations to meet fundraising goals. Utilize iWave and other tools to conduct donor research and apply findings to engagement strategies. Steward, retain, and grow giving among assigned donor groups (e.g., annual and special event donors at $2,500 and below), and help create individualized stewardship plans for high-potential supporters. Engage and acquire donors through external meetings, phone calls, and community events. Represent the Food Bank at these and other opportunities - such as donor tours and gatherings - to build relationships, deepen engagement, and grow support for our mission. Personally engage top donors with meaningful recognition and communications that highlight their impact and encourage long-term support. Ensure timely and thoughtful donor acknowledgments through calls, notes, and letters, with follow-ups as appropriate. Help connect new and existing donors to programs, volunteer opportunities, events, and giving options that align with their interests. Learn about donor motivations and preferences to enhance recognition strategies and strengthen loyalty. Collaborate with the Associate Director of Individual Giving to grow the Harvest of Hope Society and identify mid-level and major gift prospects. Support planning and execution of donor cultivation events with Major Gifts team members. Promote planned giving opportunities and grow the Tomorrow's Harvest Planned Giving Society, helping donors understand the impact of legacy gifts. Track and follow up on Harvest of Hope survey responses and input data accordingly. Provide staffing support for special events such as Market at the Food Bank, Harvest of Hope Society Reception, Taste of the Browns, and the Annual Meeting, with a focus on donor engagement. Stay current on fundraising best practices and participate in ongoing professional development and required staff meetings. Assist senior Development staff with administrative support including generating reports, tracking progress, and data exports. Actively support and champion initiatives aimed at driving continuous improvement throughout the organization. May participate in one of the following: LEAN council, a kaizen, 5S campaign or other process improvement efforts to support continuous improvement and improved processes within the food bank. Perform additional duties as needed to support team goals and donor engagement. Supervisory Responsibilities
N/A
QUALIFICATIONS
Required commitment to making interactions across different cultures and backgrounds a strength of our organization as demonstrated through work, life or community experience. Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university is preferred. A minimum of two years of direct experience in fundraising, sales, or a similar relationship-focused role is required, with a proven ability to build strong connections and secure financial support. Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. Experience with donor or CRM databases, such as Raiser's Edge, is preferred. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Travel Requirements: Some local travel is required. Key Competencies:
Highly motivated and adept at thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, set timelines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Exceptional interpersonal skills to engage donors and prospects with sincerity, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Ability to effectively represent the Board of Directors and the President & CEO, maintaining strong communication with a wide range of stakeholders, including business professionals, community leaders, volunteers, and staff. Preferred Qualifications:
A deep understanding of and appreciation for the mission of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and its efforts to fight hunger in the Greater Cleveland area. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position involves various physical activities, including frequent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching with hands and arms. Regular use of hands for tasks such as handling, typing, and feeling is required, along with the ability to talk, listen, and hear.
Lifting Requirements: Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision Requirements: Must have close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The typical noise level is quiet.
Salary Range: $ $48,000 - $55,000 per year
Proud to be a North Coast 99 Employer for 2017-2023
Please note that the Food Bank does not sponsor work visas for our positions. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of an initial background check, drug screening, physical examination, and employment verification, and will be completed during the onboarding process.
Salary Description
Salary range: $48,000 - $55,000