Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Donor Relations Manager is responsible for driving engagement and fundraising strategies to increase revenue from private and individual donors. This position supports the Executive Director and Board members in fundraising efforts, donor reporting, and VIP donor stewardship. The successful candidate will be highly organized, capable of managing multiple projects independently, and skilled at building strong collaborative relationships with our team in Kenya, and US. This role requires a proactive approach to enhancing donor experiences and expanding Hurus donor base, particularly at the major gift level.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management:

Lead our comprehensive donor stewardship efforts to retain and upgrade existing, new, and lapsed donors.

Develop and manage donor engagement strategies, including VIP and major donor cultivation.

Implement the onboarding process for new donors, ensuring a positive first experience.

Oversee and expand our monthly giving program, including monthly communications and donor outreach.

Regularly deliver personalized donor updates and meaningful engagement opportunities to foster ongoing relationships.

Donor Communications and Reporting:

Create and execute quarterly donor updates and impact reports to keep donors informed and engaged.

Develop and distribute frequent donor stories and updates in collaboration with the marketing team for newsletters, eblasts, and social media.

Prepare VIP donor reports for our internal teams and external partners.

Fundraising Campaigns and Appeals:

Collaborate with the marketing team on the development and execution of direct mail and digital fundraising campaigns, including work with printers, mailing houses and external support services.

Manage annual and special appeals (e.g., MH Day, Back-to-School, Giving Tuesday, and year-end campaigns) from conception through completion.

Drive monthly general fundraising appeals, ensuring alignment with our mission and goals.

Design and create compelling appeals using photos, videos and presentations.

VIP and Donor Experiences:

Lead the coordination of VIP guest experiences with Huru, including pre-trip, on-site, and post-trip touchpoints.

Manage and execute all donor inquiries, ensuring prompt and personalized responses via phone calls, email, acknowledgement letters and handwritten notecards.

Plan and organize donor recognition events and experiences, both virtual and in-person, to deepen donor engagement.

Strategic Planning and Reporting:

Contribute to the development of our annual fundraising plans and goals, particularly in individual giving.

Prepare regular reports for leadership on donor activity, including retention rates, major gifts, and progress toward fundraising goals.

Share learnings, insights and recommendations with the team to ensure continuous improvement in donor relations and funding.

Data Management and Donor Insights:

Oversee donation tracking and reporting, ensuring accurate records in Bloomerang, our CRM system.

Perform donor segmentation analysis to develop targeted communication and stewardship strategies.

Regularly analyze donor metrics, including retention rates and giving trends, to inform future strategies.

Collaboration and Cross-functional Support:

Partner with Hurus finance team to ensure accurate gift processing, acknowledgments, and tax receipts.

Lead the team meetings (establishing agenda, scheduling meetings)

Manage general inbox to respond to inquiries and connect them with the appropriate internal teams.

Professional Development and Industry Engagement:

Stay informed about trends and best practices in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, and CRM, bringing innovative ideas to the team.

Attend relevant conferences, webinars/workshops, and training to enhance knowledge and share insights with the team.

Qualifications:

5 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, or a similar role within a non-profit organization.

Proven success in individual donor fundraising, with an ability to cultivate relationships and drive donations.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to connect with diverse audiences, including donors, board members, VIPs, and internal teams.

Strong writer in a variety of mediums, including external and internal communications

Ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail in an administratively heavy and fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Expertise in donor CRM systems (Bloomerang preferred) and email marketing platforms (MailChimp).

Experience working with cross-functional teams, particularly marketing and finance, to align donor engagement with broader organizational goals.

Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suites, FundraiseUp, and Zapier.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience).

Must be based in the tri-state area.

Familiarity with managing donor databases and fundraising technologies.

Experience in non-profit donor engagement, major gift cultivation, and campaign management

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