Director Donor Relations

Western Michigan University; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI seeks a Donor Relations Manager to oversee a comprehensive donor relations program aligned with strategic goals and donor retention. You will coordinate communications, stewardship activities and donor events while partnering with leadership to enhance major gifts.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree, 2+ years of donor relations or fundraising experience, and strong communication skills to engage internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field is required.
• Two years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Familiarity with databases.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience providing high-level customer service to internal and external constituents.
• Experience in fundraising or constituent relations.
• Ability to work irregular shifts including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develops a coordinated matrix of communication and stewardship strategies across email, mail, phone, visits and volunteer engagement.
• Creates programs to thank and steward donors and handles gift acknowledgements.
• Directs donor recognition programs to increase gifts and donor numbers.
• Collaborates with University leadership on donor stewardship plans and reporting for major donors.
• Develops strategies for donor events and campus visits.
• Monitors policies related to gift acceptance and recognition.
• Works with internal partners to oversee use of gift funds.
• Tracks donor relations activities in databases and responds to inquiries.
• Manages area budget.

Skills

Donor relations

Customer service

Communication

Database familiarity

Office software

Event planning

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

General Summary

Manages a comprehensive donor relations program to assist the department with meeting its strategic goals, with special attention towards strategies that retain donors.

Major Duties

• Develops a coordinated matrix of communication and stewardship strategies involving email, mail, phone, personal visits and volunteer engagement to steward donors at all levels.
• Creates innovative programs and projects to thank and steward donors and is responsible for gift acknowledgements.
• Directs the University’s donor recognition programs to strategically increase gifts and donor numbers.
• Collaborates with University leadership on individual donor stewardship plans, correspondence, and specialized reporting for major donors.
• Develops strategy for donor-related events and donor campus visits.
• Develops, monitors, and helps enforce adherence to policies related to development such as gift acceptance and recognition.
• Works with internal partners to effectively monitor the use of gift funds.
• Tracks donor relations and stewardship activities in appropriate databases. Responds in a timely manner to donor inquiries.
• Manages area budget.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
• Two years’ relevant experience.
• Proficiency in office software, including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
• Familiarity with databases.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience providing a high level of customer service to internal and external constituents.
• Experience in fundraising or constituent relations.
• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.