Job Title: Donor Relations Officer
Employment Status: Full-Time
Supervisory Role: Individual Contributor
Organization Level: Mid-level
Organization Department: Development
Reports to Position: Director of Development
FLSA/Union Classification: Exempt– CBA
Salary Range: C- $85,076 - $97,435.44 The Donor Relations Officer will be responsible for managing a portfolio of c3 (Foundation) and c4 (Union) donors and relationships. They will play a key role in ensuring the Development team meets our fundraising goals and increasing contributed revenue to the organization. The Donor Relations Officer will develop personalized gift strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, ensuring consistent, compelling communication with portfolio donors and prospects. The Donor Relations Officer will report to the Director of Development and will work with other members of the affiliate and nationwide Development teams, ACLU-MD’s Board of Directors, and program staff on fundraising to advance the ACLU of Maryland’s work.

They will work to secure the financial resources to support ACLU-MD’s mission and strategic plan and will ensure we are connecting our mission, values, and impact to our external supporters. They will be committed to Community-Centric Fundraising principles and ensuring the fiscal sustainability of ACLU-MD’s work.

The Donor Relations Officer role lives within the Development team and is supervised by the Director of Development.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of 125+ current donors, ensuring their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to strengthen long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Proactively solicit major and planned gifts to advance the organization’s mission.
• Develop individualized strategies and goals for portfolio donors by leveraging analytical data, including giving history, donor capacity indicators, and relevant research tools.
• Produce tailored correspondence for donor engagement, such as emails and letters.
• Produce donor strategy materials, including briefing memos for ACLU staff and board members when necessary.
• Conduct and complete scheduled in-person and/or virtual meetings with donors across Maryland, in alignment with priorities established by the Director of Development.

Engage grassroots and mid-level donors

• Proactively engage select grassroots and mid-level donors with the goal of transitioning them into the major gifts portfolio.
• Secure gift renewals and pursue upgrades through a strategic, personalized, and relationship-centered approach.
• Ensure thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for all donors in the pipeline.
• Conduct ongoing discovery and evaluation to identify opportunities for strengthening and deepening donor relationships.

Reporting

• Utilize Salesforce, Tableau, ResearchPoint, and any additional fundraising technology introduced.
• Record all interactions and post-meeting reports promptly in database.
• Maintain accurate donor records and update CRM/ fundraising database regularly
• Ensure timely and prompt processing of donations.
• Track portfolio activity and progress.
• Communicate progress on portfolio activity to Director of Development.

Planning

• Set annual qualitative and quantitative goals in consultation with the Director of Development.
• Produce and implement a work plan that aligns with the strategic plan and annual department plan.
• Participate in Development strategic planning and annual department planning.

Collaboration with ACLU Colleagues

• Represent the ACLU consistently and effectively in all donor interactions, ensuring alignment with organizational values and messaging.
• Partner with colleagues across the organization to gather the information needed to solicit gifts and strengthen donor relationships.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of local and national programmatic priorities and emerging issues to inform donor engagement strategies.
• Actively participate in National ACLU Development Resource offerings, including calls, trainings, and opportunities to connect with Development peers nationwide.

Board Engagement

• Collaborate with the Board Development Committee and engage Board Members in Development-related activities.
• Provide strategic support and resources to enhance Board Members’ confidence and effectiveness in fundraising.

Education and Experience

Desired qualifications are described below
Five (5) years or more of experience in Development with at least two (2) years in an external-facing role

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• Portfolio management experience
• Salesforce experience
• Experience with issues relating to human rights, civil rights, or racial and social justice.
• CFRE

Competencies

• Fundraising Acumen
  • Understanding of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies across grassroots, mid-level, and major gifts.
  • Ability to synthesize complex legal and policy issues into conversational language.
• Relationship Building & Stewardship
  • Demonstrates the ability to build and sustain authentic, long-term donor relationships.
  • Skilled in engaging individuals across diverse backgrounds with tact, professionalism, and inclusivity.
• Communication Skills
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages for donors, board members, and colleagues.
  • Proficient in preparing donor correspondence, briefings, and impact reports that are clear, compelling, and mission-aligned.
• Collaboration & Teamwork
  • Works effectively across departments to gather information in support of donor engagement strategies.
  • Contributes as a collegial, solutions-oriented team member in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking
  • Uses donor data and research tools to identify opportunities and set goals for donor engagement.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to track, measure, and report donor activity.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving
  • Flexible and resourceful in navigating challenges to meet donor and organizational needs.
  • Open to feedback and able to pivot strategies in response to changing priorities or donor interests.
• Ethics & Confidentiality
  • Maintains the highest level of integrity in handling sensitive donor information.
  • Demonstrates alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and fundraising ethics.

Work Environment

• The Organization currently operates as a hybrid work environment.
• On-site environment is a professional office.
• Hybrid work schedule.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Travel Required

• Driver’s license required
• Ownership of personal vehicle required
• 25% - 40% statewide travel required for meetings and events
• Flexibility to work as needed to accomplish organizational goals may be required and may include evenings and weekends.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be a resident of Maryland

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Statement

The ACLU of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maximizing our team's diversity and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We encourage persons with disabilities and those persons that are differently-abled to request reasonable accommodations through our office of People and Culture.

Other Duties

Performs other duties as assigned that are consistent with the role’s responsibilities and decision-making authority.

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