Development Officer in Washington, District of Columbia at Washington Humane Society

Development Officer

Location: Washington, D.C.

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Katie Feldman

About the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)

For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation’s leading pet transport initiative, HRA stands as one of the largest and most comprehensive animal services providers in the region.

Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to veterinary care, innovative community programs, transport partnerships, and legislative leadership.

Job Summary

The Humane Rescue Alliance is seeking a Development Officer to build, manage, and grow philanthropic relationships throughout the Washington, D.C. region.

The Development Officer will manage a portfolio of approximately 120–150 individual donors, corporate partners, and qualified prospects, cultivating relationships that increase giving, strengthen donor retention, and build a healthy pipeline for future growth.

This is a frontline fundraising role for someone who enjoys building relationships, identifying opportunities, making meaningful asks, and connecting donors with HRA’s mission and impact.

The Role: What You’ll Do

Individual Giving & Portfolio Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio ofapproximately 120–150 individual donors, corporate partners, and qualified prospects.
• Develop personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies based on donor interests, capacity, and engagement.
• Conduct regular donor meetings, calls, campus tours, cultivation visits, and other meaningful relationship-building activities.
• Solicit significant philanthropic gifts and prepare written proposals or donor materials in partnership with internal teams when needed.
• Identifyopportunities toretain, upgrade, and deepen relationships with existing donors.
• Qualify new prospects and build a strong pipeline of donors with the potential to increase their philanthropic support.
• Identifyprincipal or transformational gift opportunities and partner with the Chief Advancement Officer and CEO on strategy and solicitation.
• Recognize potential planned giving opportunities and connect donors with appropriate resources when needed.

Corporate Philanthropy

• Manage and grow assigned corporate philanthropic relationships.
• Build relationships with corporatedecision-makersandsolicitcharitable gifts, sponsorships, matching gifts, and other philanthropic support.
• Secure sponsorships for major fundraising events and organizational initiatives.
• Partner with Public Affairs and other departments when volunteer activities or community engagement are part of a broader corporate relationship, whilemaintainingresponsibility for the fundraising relationship.

Stewardship & Collaboration

• Create personalized stewardship experiences thatdemonstratethe impact of donor support.
• Connect donors and prospects with HRA programs, staff, leadership, animals, andmission.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned donorsparticipatingin events and cultivation opportunities.
• Collaborate with Development Operations, Marketing and Communications, Public Affairs, program teams, and organizational leadership to advance donor relationships.
• Maintainaccurateandtimelydonor records, strategies, contact reports, solicitations, and next steps in the fundraising database.
• Participate in regular portfolio reviews and usemoves-management practices to advance donor relationships.

About You: Skills & Qualifications

• Strong relationship-building, listening, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate,solicit, and steward significant donor or client relationships.
• Ability to confidently make philanthropic asks and develop individualized relationship strategies.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple relationships, priorities, and deadlines.
• Understanding ofportfolio management, stewardship,movesmanagement, and pipeline development.
• Ability toidentifydonor capacity, engagement, and readiness for solicitation.
• Experience with corporate philanthropy, sponsorships, or corporate relationship managementstronglypreferred.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts preferred.
• Experience using fundraising databases or CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce,DonorPerfect, or similar platforms.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Passion for Humane Rescue Alliance’s mission.

Qualifications – Education & Experience

• Five or more years of progressive experiencein fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, or another relationship-based revenue role.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors, prospects, clients, or other high-value relationships.
• Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic gifts, preferably at the$5,000+ level.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Experience in animal welfare or another mission-driven nonprofit environment preferred.

Where You’ll Work: Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position is based at Humane Rescue Alliance’s Washington, D.C. campus and is designed to build philanthropic relationships throughout the Washington metropolitan region.

This is a location-based, relationship-focused role. Regular onsite presence is required to host donor meetings and tours, participate in cultivation and stewardship opportunities, engage donors with programs and staff, and build a strong understanding of the organization’s work.

After successful onboarding, demonstrated performance, and development of a strong understanding of the organization and portfolio, a hybrid work arrangement may be available based on organizational policy and the needs of the role. Regular onsite availability will remain required.

• Occasional evening and weekend work may berequired.
• Limited regional travel may berequired.
• Regular use ofcomputer,phone, and office equipment.
• Must be comfortable working in proximity to cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, and wildlife.
• May be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; allergens; zoonotic diseases; unpleasant odors, noises, or sights.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Apply today and help build the philanthropic relationships that sustain HRA’s work for animals and the people who love them.

Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.

HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals requiring them.