Annual Giving Manager

Annual Giving Manager

Position Title: Annual Giving Manager

Department: Development

Classification: Exempt/full-time

Reports to: Senior Director of Development

Background 

Alaska Wilderness League is the only national conservation group devoted full-time to protecting Alaska’s public lands and waters including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Tongass National Forest. We are committed to promoting a narrative that elevates a broad spectrum of voices and values related to protecting public lands, including providing for a safer climate future; supporting the human rights of Indigenous peoples; advocating for the right to clean, thriving, and healthy land, water and wildlife for all; and, serving as a source of hope and inspiration for the country. We are also committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace by deepening our understanding of the history of federal lands and waters in our country, by reimagining conservation as a tool for justice, and by advancing diversity and inclusion in the environmental community by transforming our hiring and recruitment practices for both staff and board.

You can learn more about Alaska Wilderness League’s mission, vision approach, and commitment to justice here.

About the Role – Annual Giving Manager

The Annual Giving Manager plays a critical role in the League’s efforts to engage with current and prospective donors across channels. The role is responsible for crafting content and strategies to steward active annual fund donors (<$1,000), assist with the acquisition of new donors, and help grow the mid-level giving program at AWL ($1,000 - $4,999). Additionally, the role oversees the management of evergreen content – such as acknowledgment messaging and contribution pages – and works across department to achieve the League’s fundraising goals.

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Donor Engagement & Strategy
• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and monthly giving program that includes print and digital solicitations, stewardship communications and other engagement strategies including virtual or in-person events.
• Manage the donor journey for monthly donors and the annual fund – from acquisition, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship – to bolster donor retention and pipeline annual fund donors into higher levels of giving.
• Maintain a modest portfolio (15-20) of mid-level prospects and donors and over time, grow this portfolio.
• Manage the creation and operation of an online store to support fundraising initiatives.
• Content Creation & Communications
• Write persuasive fundraising content for direct mail appeals, email fundraising arcs, and other channels as needed; manage a library of past content to potentially repurpose in future arcs.
• Collaborate with the communications team on the development calendar, maintaining brand consistency and amplifying donor storytelling.
• Stay informed about the League’s campaigns to protect Alaska’s public lands and waters to help inform new content and ensure it accurately reflects the work being done.
• Data Management:
• In partnership with the database manager, track progress on fundraising campaigns and report on results
• Track donor correspondence in the League’s CRM, and complete assigned follow ups as needed.
• Management, Administrative, Budget
• Work with the Senior Director of Development in setting annual giving goals to help achieve the organization’s revenue growth goals.
• Manage external consultants to support direct mail and digital fundraising initiatives
• Other duties as assigned.

Ideal candidates will have:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience.
• Strong communication skills – written and verbally.
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a team or independently depending on the project.
• An interest in working with a development department keen on testing out new ideas and increase their fundraising goals each year
• Background in direct marketing programs, engaging with current/prospective donors and/or customers through at least one or multiple channels (direct mail, email, social media, digital advertising, texting, etc).
• Background in working with relational databases, a.k.a. CRM software (EveryAction, Raiser’s Edge, Salsa, Salesforce, etc)
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word
• Cultural competency to work with a diverse range of people.
• An ability to adhere to a code of ethics and maintain confidentiality of privileged information.

The strongest candidates will also have some of the following skills and experience:

• Background in managing external vendors/consultants to achieve goals
• Experience in a front-facing role as a fundraiser or in a customer service position
• Passion for land conservation and advocacy, climate justice, and indigenous rights.
• An Associate or Bachelor’s degree is helpful, though not required

Compensation and Location

The League provides its employees with a competitive salary that is benchmarked annually with other nonprofits. Salaries at Alaska Wilderness League are determined by experience level and working location. The starting salary range for this role, if based in Washington, D.C is between $63,000 and $73,000. Remote salary range will vary depending on specific location.

In addition, Alaska Wilderness League offers an outstanding benefits package that includes:

• Generous health insurance for individuals and competitive rates for families/dependents.
• Flexible Spending Account for eligible medical, childcare or elder care expenses.
• Life Insurance, Short-Long Term Disability.
• 3% contribution of employee salary to a 401K Retirement Plan.
• 24 Days of Paid Time Off (PTO) for employees with less than 5 years of employment.
• 29 days of PTO for employees with 5+ years of employment.
• 12 Paid Holidays and Birthday leave.
• Parental Leave.
• Communication stipend for business-related mobile expenses.
• Employee discount programs
• Dedicated budget to support employee professional growth and training opportunities.

Location & Travel

• This can be a remote position, with preference given to candidates on the East Coast. If located in the Washington, D.C. area, there is an opportunity to work a hybrid schedule (one day in the office). Some travel will be expected (approximately 2

3 times per year).

Alaska Wilderness League is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Alaska Wilderness League is continually seeking to diversify its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in environmental advocacy.

The Application Process

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to careers@alaskawild.org

This position is open until filled. Individuals who apply by May 2, will be given priority. Applications will be screened against the criteria listed in this profile and applicants will be contacted after May 2 if qualifications match position requirements.

When you apply, please remove the names of your undergraduate and graduate schools from your resume. There is no need to reformat your resume, but simplify it to “B.A. Economics,” for example. This process is aimed at opening this opportunity to more candidates, reviewing applicants on performance assessments instead of resume proxies (e.g., where you went to school).

The overall evaluation process will look to follow this anticipated timeline:

• Early May: Selected candidates asked to complete short answer questions
• Mid-May: Video interview with League Staff
• Mid-May: Finalist candidates will be asked to complete a timed trial assignment
• Late May: Finalists will participate in a multi-team member group interview via video conference. Candidate references will also be checked at this step
• Early June: Offer extended

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.