Development - Donor Relations Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

The Donor Relations Manager plays a pivotal role in helping Seva Foundation meet and exceed its annual fundraising goals. The position manages the Mid-level and Monthly Donor (Circle of Sharing) Programs and Workplace and Corporate Giving. The position will have the opportunity to lead special projects to increase revenue, support leadership in their engagement with donors and prospects, and help shape the processes that strengthen our development efforts.

The Donor Relations Manager plays a key role in maintaining the execution of key processes that direct the department’s fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship strategies. The role includes creating impactful donor communications, developing and promoting written and visual content, and creating motivating fundraising campaigns with the Communication and Marketing team.

You will be resourceful and demonstrate initiative to help advance the Department’s goals. You will contribute to our existing strong growth trajectory while driving further transformative growth and impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Development:

• Create and execute fundraising strategies that grow the Mid-level donor Program. Oversee a portfolio (25-40) of high-potential Mid-Level Donors ($500-$4999), advancing them to Major and Leadership Donor portfolios managed by the CEO and CPO.
• Devise special projects to increase revenue from Midlevel and Major Donors. Support leadership in their engagement with donors and prospects and help shape the processes that strengthen our development efforts.
• Expand the Monthly Donor (Circle of Sharing) Program. Develop revenue projections and provide financial analysis for the monthly giving program, which will increase the number of donors participating and provide annual gift upgrades.
• Expand the Workplace/Corporate Giving Program to increase employee/corporate matching gift participation; conduct research to attract new corporate sponsors.

Strategic Communications:

• Liaise with the Communications Department to create donor-centric appeal campaigns. Coordinate with the Direct Mail vendor for the Major Donor appeal mailings (in-house). Organize the CEO and CPO for personal letter signing and arrange volunteers to package the letters for mailing.
• Partner with the Senior Manager of Development Operations to create reports that track and analyze individual giving and progress toward meeting fundraising targets. Based on the results of the analysis, propose changes in the engagement strategy when needed.
• Meet with the Program and Communications teams to stay abreast of program updates and achievements.
• Promote and educate donors about individual giving strategies that include, but are not limited to, non-cash gifts (stock gifts, QCDs, and IRA rollovers), Planned Giving, and personal fundraising initiatives. Coordinate with the Communications team to create marketing and educational material.
• Follow up on Legacy Giving information requests, respond to Legacy gift commitments, and sync records in both Raisers’ Edge and FreeWill’s website regarding non-cash gifts and Bequest Giving.
• Build out the Corporate Giving Program to increase employee/corporate matching gift participation, research, and attract new corporate sponsors. Working with the Communications team, create a marketing campaign to promote employee matching gift participation.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement:

• Lead and refine the donor cultivation and stewardship strategies at Seva as needed. Implement new approaches to strengthen donor loyalty, increase giving levels, and successfully identify prospective donors.
• Maintain institutional giving calendar, ensuring pertinent information is collected promptly and deadlines are met.
• Organize events that inform, engage, and cultivate donors around Seva’s work. Manage logistics and post-event communications, including strategies to convert event attendees to donors.
• Engaging the Communications and Finance teams create and curate accurate materials to educate and inform donors about the impact of their support.
• Work with the development team to steward donors through communications, presentations, outreach, site visits, and donor appreciation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for fundraisers seeking collateral, impact reports, and other resources.
• Identify opportunities to support the Development and Program teams in achieving fundraising goals.
• Prepare senior management for engagement with donors and prospects.
• Organize all donor calls and postcard mailings with the Board and volunteers for gifts between $250 and $1999, and first-time donors $1k+.

Management Expectations:

• Oversee the Development and Board Coordinator position, including providing direction to his/her strategies and day-to-day work, and supporting their growth and learning.
• You will meet with your Manager (the Director of Grants and Leadership Gifts) weekly, and you and your manager will arrange regular meetings with the Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred.
• 5 years experience working in a Development Department with increasing responsibilities and managing staff.
• Strong knowledge of principles and best practices for fundraising operations to support cultivation and stewardship practices.
• Exceptional analysis and research skills, with the ability to effectively translate information to a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience with annual fund campaigns and development services work, including research, prospect tracking, cultivation and solicitation.
• Strong leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to motivate others and to be an effective team player. Extremely detail-oriented and a proven project manager.
• Expert knowledge of Raisers’ Edge CRM Database preferred, including pulling data, developing reports, and conducting analysis.
• Excellent written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate clear, persuasive, and concise thoughts.
• Excellent organizational skills: ability to effectively coordinate and prioritize workload. Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete multiple tasks on time.
• High level of proficiency in Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Google Drive applications, and familiarity with Monday.com a plus.
• Self-directed, performance-oriented individual who has demonstrated initiative and achievement of goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural setting.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive problem-solving, professional presence, and flexibility.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and observe development protocol.

Hybrid Position:

The official schedule is Monday through Friday, general business hours; the schedule can be a mix of remote and onsite workdays. Must be willing to participate in evening and weekend fundraising and public relations activities.