Donor Relations Manager

Salary: $65,000 - $70,000

Residency Requirement: Primary residence must be in the state of Georgia

Job Summary

The Donor Relations Manager is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts from high-net-worth individuals. This role is vital to the success of Open Hand's Annual Fundraising efforts. He/she will be responsible for designing and implementing engagement strategies for individual major gift prospects. In this role, the Donor Relations Manager will be responsible for individual/personal major gift goals in addition to overall departmental goals for philanthropic giving via multiple channels, including major gifts, direct mail and electronic appeals, tailored personal communications and special event support. This position also works closely with the Development Database Administrator to ensure the proper and timely acknowledgement of gifts.

This position requires a team-oriented approach and an understanding of the dynamic of working with multiple members of the team to achieve common organizational goals.

Familiarity with non-profit mission messaging and fundraising and/or customer service and sales are preferred. Tenacity, integrity, honesty, ethics, creativity, proactive thinking, and a strong sense of curiosity are helpful characteristics. Someone who is a self-starter and can independently assess and determine priority will do well in this position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise Database Administrator

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Cultivate strong relationships with current and prospective major donors through personalized outreach, one-on-one meetings, and strategic engagement events.
• Maintain a portfolio of donors across all giving levels using a moves management strategy to deepen relationships and move donors through the pipeline.
• Approach major gift prospects, clearly communicating Open Hand’s mission, impact, and funding priorities.
• Nurture relationships post-gift to encourage long-term engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities and oversee Annual Fund communications, including direct mail, email campaigns, personalized messaging, social media, and donor solicitations, in collaboration with the Communications Manager and under the direction of the Director of Development.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to develop social media strategies that support each fundraising appeal.
• Coordinate with the Director of Development, Donor Relations Manager, and Database Administrator to ensure consistent, effective donor stewardship and timely communication.
• Oversee all aspects of Advisory Board engagement, including recruitment, stewardship efforts, meeting preparation, and event planning.
• Support the Director of Development with Board of Directors activities, including preparation of giving statements, event coordination, and board communications.
• Lead and grow the Open Hand CORE monthly giving program, including development of annual strategies to boost participation, average pledge size, and donor retention.
• Collaborate with the Database Administrator on the gift batching process and ensure timely preparation, review, and delivery of donor acknowledgment letters.
• Partner with Corporate and Faith Partnerships and Volunteer Services to enhance Open Hand’s community visibility and engagement with corporate, civic, and faith-based groups.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Services to implement strategies that strengthen volunteer engagement and convert volunteers into active donors.
• Assist the Director of Development in creating and maintaining timelines and work plans for donor engagement, including receptions, appeals, and strategic touchpoints.
• Keep detailed, up-to-date records of all donor and stakeholder interactions and regularly brief the Director of Development on major activity.
• Manage the annual fundraising and appeals calendar in partnership with the Communications Manager and Director of Development to ensure timely execution of key initiatives.
• Assist in crafting compelling appeal content and coordinate with the Database Administrator to generate targeted recipient lists.
• Ensure donor records in GivEffect are accurate and consistently updated in collaboration with the Development Database Administrator.
• Support inventory tracking of Development department materials and collateral, in coordination with Communications and Donor Relations staff.
• Help plan and execute internal and community events, and support third-party fundraising event participation as needed.
• Provide occasional assistance with donor data research and maintenance in GivEffect as needed.
• Work with the Database Administrator and Controller to complete monthly Batch and Leadership report
• Delegate stewardship-related tasks to the Special Events and Donor Relations Coordinator, including donor mailings and communications.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Proven track record of successfully soliciting and recruiting major gifts.
• Exceptional verbal and formal writing skills with the ability to convey professionalism, gratitude, empathy and organizational voice in written communications.
• Excellent relationship management skills are required as this role will interact with donors and stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Meticulous attention to detail, the ability to organize information, and prioritize will be critical.
• Flexibility regarding working evening and weekend hours as needed is required.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment, take initiative, and be able to start and resume work on projects as priorities change.
• Be able to attend events that sometimes take place outside the office and normal business hours.

Education/Experience

• Undergraduate degree in related field or related experience
• Minimum five years of experience in fundraising or a related field/position
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is required
• Experience using a donor management system preferred

Physical Requirements

• The employee is regularly required to sit at a computer. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, drive a car, and lift and/or move 25 pounds.

Drug Free Workplace

Open Hand is a drug free and substance abuse free work environment. All candidates hired are subject to a pre-employment drug screen. Random drug testing may be conducted by an external, neutral tester on all employees. Any perceived use of drugs or reporting to work under the influence of alcohol may be grounds for immediate dismissal.

Equal Opportunity

Open Hand is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Open Hand complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled employees.