Philanthropy Officer, Northeast

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families by improving farm viability and farmland access. Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities. 

Job Purpose

The Philanthropy Officer, Northeast plays a key role in advancing AFT’s growing major gifts program by managing a portfolio of 150–200 annual giving prospects. With a focus on donors giving between $1,000–$25,000, this position is responsible for cultivating long-term relationships and building a strong pipeline of multi-year philanthropic support.

Position Summary   

The Philanthropy Officer, Northeast, collaborates with team members to engage and execute strategies focused on mid-level donors to ensure a consistent pipeline of major gift prospects.  Portfolio work includes a mix of new prospect identification, existing donor cultivation and stewardship, and maximizing the potential fundraising capacity of the region through strong networking and engaging activities at all levels. The Gift Officer coordinates closely with the Senior Gift Officer to increase AFT's overall base of support in the Northeastern US. The role both manages a portfolio mid-level donors and supports stewardship of existing major gift donors.  

Duties and responsibilities    

• Collaborates with team members to utilize donor data to track and manage constituent information to build a solid strategic infrastructure for moves management.  
• Employs a travel and meeting schedule to meet donors where they are, aiming for 10-15 visits/meaningful interactions each month. 
• Provides rapid response to opportunities to engage donors and prospects on AFT’s issues following relevant news articles, AFT successes, and other key moments that arise throughout the year. The Philanthropy Officer, Northeast, independently drives outreach and dialogue with donors in the region using a stream of AFT activity and program impact stories.  
• Effectively responds to individual donors through written correspondence, telephone contact, personal contact and e-mail, assuring the donors that their needs are processed immediately upon request. 
• Prepares written materials, including reports, cultivation and stewardship pieces, and direct mail solicitations for individual supporters. 
• Plans and coordinates (with the assistance of the Events Specialist, Philanthropy Coordinator, and other AFT Development staff) donor events, with a goal of identifying new prospects and cultivating existing donors.  
• Works closely with staff from AFT’s New York and New Jersey and New England teams to strategize, create, and lead regional campaigns for special projects including securing funding and creating engaging experiences that bring individuals closer to AFT’s work in the Northeast. Participate in regional meetings and integrate program priorities with development outreach strategy.  
• Employs a growth mindset and contributes to a culture of gratitude.  
   

• Must be experienced and confident asking for philanthropic support.  
• Experience in community engagement around natural resources conservation, agriculture, food systems, and sustainability is highly desired.  
• Knowledge of New York/New Jersey and/or New England’s agricultural landscape is essential. 
• Superior verbal and written communication skills and ability to speak intelligently and passionately to external stakeholders about AFT’s mission and impactful programs around the country. 
• Experience managing project budgeting and planning. 
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.  
• Good with technology and systems, experience with Raiser’s Edge/NXT is preferred. 
• Willingness to trav