Director of Donor Relations

Foundation for Economic Education; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as the Director of Donor Relations, where you will cultivate strategic relationships with major donors and funding partners. This role is pivotal in advancing the mission of promoting the principles of a free society through high-impact programs. You will engage in personalized donor cultivation, manage a dedicated team, and represent the organization at key events. With an emphasis on collaboration and strategic thinking, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a dynamic environment. If you are passionate about classical liberalism and have a knack for building lasting partnerships, this role is for you.

Benefits

Health and dental insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Flexible time off

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in donor relations or major gift fundraising.
• Proven track record of building relationships with high-net-worth donors.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies for donor relationship building and engagement.
• Manage a team and produce reports on donor engagement and revenue.

Skills

Donor relations

Major gift fundraising

Strategic thinking

Persuasive communication

Relationship building

Job description

Director of Donor Relations – Foundation for Economic Education – Atlanta, GA

Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) has dedicated itself to making the fundamental economic, ethical, and legal principles of a free society both accessible and compelling to a general audience.

FEE is at the forefront of youth engagement with the freedom philosophy, delivering high-impact programs and digital content that reach millions annually. We continue to scale our efforts, building on a strong legacy of innovation and thought leadership.

The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) is seeking a Director of Donor Relations, reporting to the Chief Development Officer, whose leadership will cultivate strategic relationships with major donors, identify new funding opportunities, and advance sustainable growth in support of FEE’s mission.

This role focuses on high-level prospecting, donor cultivation and solicitation, and relationship-building to foster long-term, meaningful partnerships.

What you will do:

Strategic Relationship Development

• Develop and execute strategies to build and strengthen relationships with major donors and funding partners.
• Collaborate with the President to manage a high-value portfolio of donor relationships, ensuring consistent communication and stewardship.
• Craft compelling messaging and value propositions to connect donors with FEE’s mission.
• Identify and research potential major donors, foundations, and other funding sources to expand FEE’s donor base.

Prospecting and Engagement

• Lead efforts to identify new funding opportunities, with a focus on high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partnerships.
• Design and execute personalized donor engagement plans tailored to the interests and philanthropic goals of each prospect.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors, and solicit major gifts through face-to-face meetings.
• Represent FEE at donor meetings, events, and other engagements, fostering personal connections with supporters.

Management, Collaboration and Reporting

• Manage a team that includes a major gift officer and a mid-level donor program manager.
• Work closely with FEE’s President and development team to align donor cultivation efforts with organizational priorities.
• Produce regular reports on prospecting, donor engagement, and revenue trends to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Act as a liaison between donors and FEE program areas to position the organization for funding, develop pitches, and facilitate collaboration and communication.

Who you are:

• You have a deep passion for the ideas of classical liberalism.
• You have 5+ years of experience in donor relations, major gift fundraising, or a similar role.
• You have a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with high-net-worth donors.
• You excel at strategic thinking, with a focus on personalized donor engagement and cultivation.
• You thrive in a results-oriented environment and can manage multiple priorities effectively.
• You are a persuasive communicator with exceptional written and verbal skills.
• You are willing to travel up to 20-30% of the time to meet with donors, attend events, and represent FEE.

Where you will work:

The Director of Donor Relations will preferably work from FEE’s Atlanta, GA, office. However, for the exceptional candidate, FEE is open to a remote candidate based in the Northeast United States who can regularly travel to Atlanta.

What we offer:

FEE prides itself on attracting and retaining top-tier talent. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including:

• Health and dental insurance with deductible reimbursement.
• A 401(k) plan with a 50% employer match up to $4,000.
• Flexible time off.

You’ll join a collaborative, creative, and energetic work environment dedicated to the advancement of the freedom philosophy.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position and FEE’s mission, and your salary requirements.

Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [e-mail].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.