Manager, Donor Engagement

ABOUT VOTE SOLAR

Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people-first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns.

Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track record to prove we can do it: Twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision-makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

Vote Solar is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

THE ROLE

The Manager, Donor Engagement is a new position created to provide direct support and attention to our dedicated monthly and grassroots donors, create opportunities to build and connect with our broader community through donor engagement and events, as well as provide support to our Foundations team by assisting with grant proposals and sending regular updates on our progress.

This role is a great opportunity for a fundraising professional who has an interest and passion for executing a variety of strategies and engaging a diverse donor base through individual, corporate and foundation fundraising.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Philanthropy, this role will plan and execute a robust calendar of stewardship and engagement activities for all levels of individual, corporate and foundation donors. In addition to leading the planning and execution of fundraising events, this role will also help inform the strategy for online fundraising campaigns targeted at building Vote Solar’s donor base by overseeing the donor engagement pipeline and managing the cultivation, stewardship, and renewal strategies of our monthly and grassroots donors.

In their first year, this role will spend roughly 75% of their time prioritizing and managing a corporate giving and grassroots and mid-level donor program, gaining a deep understanding of Vote Solar’s work and how best to communicate to our key audiences, and will enable deeper engagement and relationship building with our donor base through through mail, phone and digital interactions as well as occasional in-person events. This role will also spend roughly 20% of their time supporting Vote Solar’s stewardship efforts to its foundation funders through proposal and report support as well as relationship management activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager, Donor Engagement primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

INDIVIDUAL GIVING (30%)

• Manage an engaging digital mid-level annual membership program, with a fresh name and branding, aimed at increasing donor engagement and giving
• Deepen the organizational relationship with a portfolio of ~300+ grassroots and mid-level donors and prospects through compelling digital stewardship and cultivation tactics, including the sending of Quarterly Impact Reports, and other regular, personalized communications
• Work with the Communications Team and Managing Director of Philanthropy to develop and execute an annual digital fundraising strategy aimed at increasing the number of new donors as well as the size and revenue from our mid-level donor group and build a solid pipeline of warm prospects for the Major Donor program
• Deepen relationships with existing monthly donors and work with Communications Team to develop and execute tactics to increase the participation and revenue of our monthly giving program
• Consult with the Philanthropy and Communications Teams to ensure list segmentation is updated and maximized to facilitate renewal and upgraded giving for mid-level and monthly donor groups
• Ensure records are updated in Salesforce

CORPORATE GIVING (25%)

• Contributes to building a robust corporate giving pipeline by identifying and engaging corporate prospects
• Supports the solicitation of corporate gifts and sponsorships, and manages the execution of sponsorship benefits in partnership with the Communications Team
• Cultivates relationships with corporate donors and prospects through compelling stewardship activities such as reports, and other regular, personalized communications

EVENTS MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTION (20%)

• Working with the Managing Director of Philanthropy, develop a robust but realistic calendar of engagement events that strategically engage each segment of our donor base
• From ideation to execution and follow-up, drive the entire process of planning and executing events in partnership with our program staff, supporters, and key volunteers
• Oversee event program development and speaker prep, secure location and refreshments, and create a plan for excellent follow-up to ensure each opportunity is maximized
• Work with the Communications Team and designer to develop effective materials for fundraising events

FOUNDATIONS GIVING (20%)

• Submit foundation proposal and reports through grant portals with attention to detail
• Supporting foundation relationship management activities such as scheduling meetings with foundation staff and setting up communications for leads
• Supporting project management through activities such as compiling and sending quarterly reminders to all staff of upcoming Foundations Team deliverables

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING (5%)

• Continue personal learning and contribute to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion
• Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our fundraising program
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity

REQUIREMENTS

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED

• Three-five years of experience in either fundraising, event planning, or a demonstrated track record that matches this experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in advocacy, DEIJ, fundraising, or other issue-driven areas
• Experience developing and implementing various forms of fundraising or donor engagement events
• Experience managing a lower-dollar or mid-level donor program
• Experience relationship building with donors or stakeholders both virtually and in person

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR WOULD BE EXCITED TO LEARN HERE

• Track record of success in managing lower-level, monthly, or digital fundraising program or other non-profit development experience
• Ability to translate complex content into creative and compelling people-centric content that makes it impossible to resist
• Have helped facilitate a culture of fundraising within your organization

MINDSETS

• A personal commitment to being a part of an inclusive and just workplace, including a commitment to being on a journey with Vote Solar to develop personal, and interpersonal core competencies related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• A commitment to fundraising as a form of organizing or community building; a tool for change
• Passion for building new capacity at a growing organization.
• Emphasis on relationship building as the path toward organizational growth
• A desire to build skills toward cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting major gifts
• Understanding that how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership), is as important as what we work on

LOCATION

This is a remote position within the United States, with a preference for candidates based near a transportation hub. This position will require some national travel (one to three trips per year, typically for team/organization retreats and events.) Workplace arrangements are flexible, including options to work from a co-working space or work from home.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $88,100 - $95,600. At Vote Solar, we work hard to ensure that our compensation is equitable internally and aligned with our compensation philosophy and defined job levels. In order to ensure equitable compensation across roles in the organization, we do not negotiate new hire offers.

Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 4 days of personal leave and 16 paid holidays. We also offer 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for both the employee and dependents; a retirement savings plan with an employer contribution of 3.5%; and a paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a letter of interest and resume to Vote Solar. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that all qualified applicants may participate in the application process. Please inform Adrena Lambert at alambert@votesolar.org of accommodation requests at the time of application.

Application Process Note: Vote Solar is required to enroll in the E-Verify Program to verify employment eligibility of certain employees. Candidates who receive an offer may be required to complete this step depending on their state of residence.