Sylvester Manor is a place where history, agriculture, and creativity come together in a dynamic vision for community and sustainability. Once a private estate and now a thriving nonprofit, Sylvester Manor has reimagined its 17th-century landscape from a provisioning plantation to a working farm and cultural center that engages thousands of visitors each year through programs in education, food production, and the arts. Guided by a passionate board and staff, the organization has entered a period of tremendous growth and opportunity—ready to deepen its impact, strengthen its resources, and steward its historic property for generations to come. Sylvester Manor is now at a defining moment in its evolution, as it undertakes the restoration of the historic Manor House—the beloved home of the island’s founding family and the most significant, intact artifact of the “collection.” Following a series of major capital improvements, this next effort is the largest and most transformative in the organization’s history. This phase is a $13M+ capital project of which $8.5M has been raised to date. When complete, the House will once again be animated with purpose, serving as a working space for staff, a haven for artists and scholars, and a welcoming setting where history, creativity, and community come together to shape the future of Sylvester Manor. Essential Job ResponsibilitiesThe Individual Giving Officer will help shape and sustain the next phase of Sylvester Manor\'s history. This role reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the existing Development Manager and Office Manager.In concert with the Board of Trustees, this position will advance all aspects of fundraising, from major gifts and annual support to capital campaigns and donor engagement strategy. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, initiative, and a deep appreciation for Sylvester Manor’s mission, translating its rich history and contemporary programs into compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment. Energized by possibility and partnership, this position will play a central role in building the resources that bring Sylvester Manor’s vision to life—today and for generations to come.The Individual Giving Officer will serve as a strategic and hands-on fundraising professional, responsible for strengthening Sylvester Manor’s philanthropic foundation and expanding its base of individual support. Building on the organization’s ongoing development assessment and forthcoming readiness study for the Manor House project, this person will help translate insight into action—developing long-term strategies for donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement.Primary responsibilities include:Manage and grow a portfolio of individual prospects and donors, conducting discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at the $5,000+ levelLead the development and execution of a comprehensive annual giving program, including appeals, mid-level giving, and donor upgrade strategiesWork closely with the Development Manager to maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in Bloomerang, producing and analyzing regular reports on pipeline status, activity metrics, revenue projections and individual donor outreach strategiesSupport the ongoing Sylvester Manor capital campaign—including prospect identification, case for support development, and campaign-specific donor communicationsPartner with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees on donor strategy, board member engagement in fundraising, and campaign volunteer leadershipWork closely with the Development Manager and others on staff to develop donor-facing communication and marketing materials including case statements, impact reports, gift acknowledgment letters, and newsletter features in order to thank donors and effectively tell the story of Sylvester ManorOther responsibilities include:Help plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events, including large benefits, intimate cocktail/dinner parties and VIP tours that connect supporters to the programming of Sylvester ManorAssist as needed in the research and writing of grant proposals and reports for foundation and government funders, working in close collaboration with program staffCore Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Expertise in individual giving and donor relations, with a proven track record of securing major gifts ($5,000 and above) and building lasting donor relationships through thoughtful, values-aligned stewardshipSuccess in shaping organizational cultures of cultivation—mobilizing staff, board members, and volunteers around shared fundraising goals. Skill in designing and implementing plans that balance annual support, major gifts, and campaign initiatives. Capital campaign experience a plusExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor correspondence, proposals, and impact narratives; strong knowledge of nonprofit development practiceExperience developing marketing and communications materials for development purposesExperience coordinating successful fundraising and “friendraising” events—from intimate donor salons to larger benefit gatherings—that deepen relationships and inspire philanthropic commitmentExperience researching, drafting and submitting successful grant applicationsAt least 5 years of development related experience Proficiency with donor CRM systems; experience with Bloomerang a plusAbility to work collaboratively across a small, dedicated team, combining strategic vision with day-to-day executionAbility to work weekends and holidays, especially in the summer monthsGenuine enthusiasm for Sylvester Manor’s mission at the intersection of history, agriculture, and the arts, and the ability to articulate this to a breadth of audiences
