Manager, Garden Patrons Program

The Manager, Garden Patrons Program supports the operation and continued growth of the Garden Patrons Program, a high-level membership group recognizing annual gifts of $1,500-$25,000, and the Young Garden Circle, an engagement program for young donors giving $500-$1,500 annually. Additionally, in support of the Institutional Advancement department’s broader donor engagement needs, the Manager will occasionally support outreach and stewardship for individual donors as assigned by department leadership or requested by the President’s Office. This position reports to the Director of the Garden Patrons Program.

Partnership is vital to this position’s success. As such, the Manager is expected to be a collaborative and strategic member of the Institutional Advancement department and the Individual Giving team. Internally, the Manager is a diligent, proactive, well-organized administrator. Externally, they are a warm, helpful representative of the Garden Patrons Program, an enterprising front-line fundraiser, and an enthusiastic advocate for NYBG’s work and mission.

Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

Specific Responsibilities:

  Manage a portfolio of current and recently-lapsed Garden Patrons, proactively cultivating and upgrading them to increased levels of giving, with an emphasis on developing NYBG’s pipelines of Major Gifts, Special Events, and Planned Giving prospects. Increase giving by 3% (average) year-over-year for the next five years to support the NYBG’s strategic planning emphasis with a particular focus on upper-level Patrons and generational diversity. 

·       Administer the Garden Patrons’ concierge line and email inbox; field a high volume of inquiries and accommodate frequent requests from Garden Patrons.

·       Maintain current and accurate records in database, tracking documents, and files.

·       Contribute to the planning and execution of Garden Patrons events and communications, including by drafting appeal letters and other correspondence.

·       Assist in staffing other NYBG events, as required.

·       Provide general administrative support for the Individual Giving team.

Qualifications:

·       Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising and/or relevant customer service, ideally with a membership or patrons’ program at a comparable cultural institution.

·       Propriety, thoughtfulness, and discretion in communicating with donors and colleagues at all levels, both verbally and in writing. Excellent judgment.

·       Experience and comfort with asking for monetary donations (or investments, etc.) by phone, in person, and in writing.

·       Exceptional time management and organizational skills, sharp attention to detail.

·       Ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

·       Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Writing samples will be required during the interview process.

·       Experience writing fundraising communications strongly preferred.

·       Willingness to work occasional evenings/ weekends for events and donor visits, and more frequently during spring, required.

·       Driver’s license required.

·       Fluency in Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferred.

·       Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge, SiriusWare, and/or Luminate software preferred.

·       Bachelor’s Degree required.