Manager, Donor Engagement and Partnership Growth

Position Summary:

Development in Gardening (DIG) is seeking a Donor Engagement and Partnership Growth Manager to expand and strengthen our donor base as the organization scales its impact. The role will primarily focus on deepening relationships with individual donors and foundations, developing and executing strategies to engage, retain, and cultivate these key supporters. The Manager will also play a key role in managing events, fundraising campaigns, supporting solicitations, grant applications, and other stewardship activities to ensure long-term donor commitment.

While individual and foundation donors will be the central focus, this role will also involve exploring new opportunities for corporate partnerships as a secondary priority. Working closely with the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications Manager, and program teams, the Manager will ensure that all fundraising efforts align with DIG’s core programs and international growth strategies. This role presents a unique opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s mission of improving nutrition, health, and livelihoods for marginalized communities globally.

About Development in Gardening (DIG):

Development in Gardening (DIG) is an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the nutrition and livelihoods of some of the world’s most uniquely marginalized communities by teaching regenerative gardening practices. We are a growing organization with programs currently in Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal, and while our US-based team is small, we are part of a close-knit global network of teams, partners, and supporters working together to make a real difference. We might be biased, but DIG is a special place to work—our committed team, shared mission, and collaborative environment create an impact you can feel every day. The person who joins us will play a key role in this community, helping to increase food security, financial resilience, and social cohesion for communities that are often overlooked by other development organizations.

Key Responsibilities:

Funder Relationship Management

• Cultivate and Manage Relationships: Build and nurture long-term relationships with individual donors, foundations, and key supporters, ensuring alignment with DIG’s mission and priorities. Determine the cadence and style of engagement, including regular email communications, phone calls, donor visits, and presentations for a portfolio of supporters. Execute these communications with support from the Marketing/Communications team, Program team and Executive Director, ensuring consistency with DIG’s messaging and branding.
• Donor Solicitation and Stewardship: Develop and implement strategies to engage, retain, and grow donor relationships, ensuring regular and meaningful communication to maintain donor engagement and loyalty.
• Fundraising Campaigns: Manage annual and targeted fundraising campaigns, including major gifts, appeals, and stewardship initiatives.
• Community Building: Organize events and discussions to foster deeper connections with donors and create a sense of community among supporters.
• Database Management: Manage DIG’s donor database, providing insights and prioritizing key relationships for maximum engagement and high-impact opportunities.
• Event Support: Lead planning and executing donor-focused events, from cultivation events to executive meetings, to enhance donor relationships and fundraising efforts.

Grant Portfolio Growth and Management

• Grant Strategy and Development: Collaborate with the program team and a grants contractor to identify new grant opportunities, develop high-quality proposals, and grow DIG’s grant portfolio in line with organizational goals.
• Grant Management: Oversee the execution of successful grant proposals and ensure post-award compliance, working closely with the Director of Global Program Operations and grants contractor to meet deadlines and reporting requirements.

Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Donor Intelligence: Stay informed on trends in the philanthropic landscape, including changes in donor policies, funding priorities, and new opportunities. Provide strategic insights to DIG’s senior leadership team.
• Program Alignment: Collaborate with program teams and the Marketing and Communications Manager to highlight impactful program results and stories that resonate with donors, while refining donor-focused materials and executing strategic fundraising campaigns.
• Fundraising Strategy: Work with the Executive Director and Board Development Committee to develop a sustainable fundraising strategy for DIG’s growth through 2030.
• Analysis of Fundraising Results: Evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising efforts by analyzing donor engagement, campaign performance, and fundraising metrics. Use insights from these analyses to adjust strategies, identify areas for improvement, and inform future fundraising initiatives.

Operational Support

• Internal Communication: Facilitate internal communication about donor engagement efforts to keep the DIG team informed and aligned.
• Funder Meetings: Secure and support meetings with potential funders, providing talking points, presentations, and materials as needed to communicate DIG’s impact and programming.
• Systems Improvement: Help streamline internal systems and platforms to improve the efficiency and scalability of fundraising operations.

Corporate Partnership and Sponsorship Development (secondary/new area of work)

• Explore Corporate Partnerships: Identify and pursue opportunities for corporate partnerships to diversify funding and complement individual and foundation giving.
• Proposal Development: Assist in creating sponsorship packages and proposals to attract corporate donors and sponsors.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a passionate, results-driven professional with a deep commitment to DIG’s mission. They will be experienced in cultivating and managing relationships with individual and institutional donors and have a strategic mindset. The candidate must also be able to collaborate across teams and help shape DIG’s fundraising strategy as the organization grows.

Key Qualifications:

While no candidate will possess every quality, we are seeking someone who possesses many of the following attributes:

• Strong Executive Functioning Skills: Demonstrated ability to stay organized, manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment. Must excel at overseeing multiple initiatives simultaneously and ensuring that all deadlines and milestones are met with precision.
• Exceptional Project Management Abilities: Proven experience in planning, coordinating, and executing projects from start to finish. Capable of managing all aspects of fundraising efforts, including ideation, implementation, and follow-through.
• Strategic and Action-Oriented: Capable of thinking creatively about donor engagement while translating ideas into concrete actions and measurable outcomes.
• Fundraising Experience: 3+ years of domestic and/or global fundraising experience. Familiarity with donor engagement and relationship cultivation is essential.
• Relationship Cultivation and Stewardship: Proven ability to build and maintain long-term value-based relationships with donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience crafting compelling proposals and stewardship materials.
• Cultural Competency and Sensitivity: Ability to work effectively with diverse groups, both domestically and internationally, and to understand and communicate, with dignity, the unique needs and perspectives of marginalized communities.
• Highly Organized: Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Data Driven Storyteller: Ability to effectively translate complex data and metrics into compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders, donors, and partners. Skilled in using data to illustrate impact, communicate fundraising progress, and drive strategic decision-making through clear, concise, and meaningful insights.
• Proficiency in Donor Database Software & Technology Tools: Skilled in using donor database platforms such as eTapestry/Blackbaud to manage donor records, track engagement, and generate reports. Experienced with a wide range of software tools, including Canva for design, Dropbox for file management, Google Suite for collaboration, Asana for project management, and Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Why DIG?

• Impactful Mission: Be part of a growing and highly successful organization dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized communities through the principles and practices of agroecology.
• Global Reach: Work in a dynamic and expanding international organization with programs in Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal, and help drive global impact.
• Professional Growth: Join a committed team that values creativity, collaboration, and growth, with opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside passionate colleagues who share a commitment to making a lasting impact for some of the world’s most marginalized.