TITLE: Philanthropy Officer
SALARY & FLSA: $33.88 - $50.82 per hour; FLSA non-exempt
The $33.88 hourly starting pay is structured to be competitive and may extend up to $38.99, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive compensation to qualified candidates.
OPENING DATE: 09/15/2026
CLOSING DATE: 10/4/2026 - This position may close early if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.
JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-Time
UNION: Non-Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Hybrid (on grounds 2-3 days/week and remainder work remotely)
DEPARTMENT: Advancement
This role may be required to work occasional weekends or evenings to support donor events. Advanced notice will be provided.
HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.
WHO YOU ARE
As our new Philanthropy Officer, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:
- A Relationship Builder: You excel at cultivating meaningful connections with donors and prospects, engaging them through personalized outreach, stewardship, and donor experiences that inspire deeper investment in the zoo’s mission.
- Strategic and Results-Oriented: You are driven by goals and enjoy identifying new opportunities to grow donor support. You can move prospects through the donor pipeline while meeting fundraising and revenue objectives.
- An Exceptional Communicator: You confidently and professionally articulate the zoo’s mission, vision, and impact through compelling conversations, donor meetings, tours, reports, and written communications.
- Highly Organized and Detail-Focused: You thrive on managing donor portfolios, tracking engagement activities, maintaining accurate records, and using data to inform strategy and measure success.
- Creative and Donor-Centered: You enjoy developing innovative engagement and solicitation opportunities that strengthen donor relationships, increase giving, and create lasting partnerships with the zoo.
YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with the department leadership and team members to identify new leads of mid-level, major, and principal level relationships for the zoo.
- Work with the department leadership and the team members to develop new donor engagement opportunities, moving prospects into a deeper relationship with the zoo, and future gift conversations.
- Professionally articulate the zoo’s mission, vision, and values verbally and in writing to prospects and current donors.
- Develop positive and professional relationships with lapsed donors to reactivate them at the mid-level or major donor level.
- Deepen relationships with new and current mid-level donors to increase their giving.
- Meet annual revenue goals for the mid-level portfolio, as established by department leadership.
- Implement unique and timely gift-ask opportunities that support and enhance donors’ partnerships and relationships with the zoo.
- Conduct solicitations on behalf of the zoo through building relationships with donors.
- Give donor tours and meetings. Accompany other members of the major giving and development team on donor tours and visits to expand skill set as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and two or more years of non-profit fundraising experience and or training; and/or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Experience in philanthropy work, telephone fundraising, cold-calling, or tele-fundraising.
- Excitement to work for Woodland Park Zoo and further its mission to make conservation a priority in everyone’s lives.
- Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors and interact via telephone and in-person.
- Ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with donors, potential donors, and volunteers.
- Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and organizational communication and ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
- Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.
- Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
- Ability to work on a non-standard/flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
- Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
REFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
BENEFITS
The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff including:
- Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
- 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidaysâ¯
- Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)â¯
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)â¯
- Tuition reimbursementâ¯
- Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 daysâ¯
- 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perksâ¯â¯
- Free staff parkingâ¯
- 403(b) Retirement Planâ¯
SELECTION PROCESS
Application: Please include a resume and cover letter with your application through our Zoo Careers site atâ¯zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.â¯
This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.
Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.
