Donor Engagement Associate

Riley Children's Foundation; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A nonprofit organization located in Indianapolis is seeking a Donor Engagement Associate to enhance fundraising success through tailored donor communications and impactful donor experiences. This role involves collaborating with various teams, implementing stewardship activities, drafting proposals, and supporting in-person donor events. The ideal candidate should possess strong writing skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit. This position is perfect for a professional looking to advance their career in donor engagement within a mission-driven organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in donor engagement or related field.
• Strong writing skills for creating tailored communications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Implement donor stewardship activities and draft donor reports.
• Develop tailored proposals and funding communications.
• Support in-person donor experiences and event coordination.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance processes for donor materials.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Collaborative

Communication

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM software

Project management software

Job description

The Donor Engagement Associate supports fundraising success by delivering tailored donor communications and contributing to personalized donor experiences that inform donors, highlight funding opportunities, and reinforce the value and impact of their giving. Reporting to the Director, Donor Engagement, this role collaborates closely with members of the Donor Engagement, Development and other teams to fulfill assigned projects and ensure donors receive meaningful, accurate, and timely communications and experiences that support cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition. This position is ideal for a detail‑oriented professional who can manage assignments with a high level of independence, contribute creative ideas, and thrive in a collaborative, donor‑centric environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Stewardship Implementation

• Working in collaboration with the Stewardship Manager, implement stewardship activities defined in Riley Children's Foundation stewardship matrices for assigned donor segments.
• Draft endowment reports and current‑use impact reports, incorporating relevant program, research, or clinical updates from hospital, research, and foundation partners.
• Produce special project reporting as assigned, such as project updates, small‑group stewardship pieces, or customized donor communications.
• Assist with donor recognition activities as assigned (e.g., donor lists, acknowledgments, recognition materials).
• Collaborate with the Stewardship Manager to support process improvements and ensure stewardship touchpoints reflect best practices.

2. Proposal & Funding Opportunity Case Implementation

• Working in collaboration with the Donor Communications Manager, develop and draft highly tailored, donor‑specific communications—including proposals, pre‑proposal materials, and menus/cases for funding opportunities—for assigned donor segments (e.g., annual giving, mid‑level giving, community giving, and select corporate supporters).
• Ensure materials are personalized, accurate, and aligned with donor interests; this role does not produce broad marketing or mass communications, which are overseen by the Communications/Marketing team.
• Gather and verify programmatic, clinical, or financial information from subject‑matter experts, hospital partners, and Foundation colleagues to inform proposal content.
• Follow established review and approval processes to ensure all proposals and funding opportunities align with Foundation and hospital priorities, policies, and branding.
• Support the Donor Communications Manager in tracking availability, updates, and timing of funding opportunities to ensure materials remain current and compelling.

3. Donor Experience Support

Support in‑person donor experiences—such as tours, meetings, ceremonies, and small‑group engagements—by preparing materials, coordinating logistics, and partnering with gift officers and internal teams as assigned.

4. Process Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Collaborate with the Director, Donor Engagement with input from the Stewardship Manager and Donor Communications Manager to understand assignment priorities, timelines, expectations, and deliverables.
• Track project timelines and deliverables for assigned work, communicating proactively about progress, dependencies, or potential challenges.
• Collect and verify information for donor materials through interviews, meetings, and data‑gathering with hospital, research, and Foundation partners to ensure accuracy, clarity, and donor‑appropriate messaging.
• Ensure all donor‑facing materials are thoroughly proofread, fact‑checked, and aligned with brand, tone, and style guidelines.
• Follow established review and approval processes for donor communications prior to distribution.
• Contribute to workflow efficiencies and participate in efforts to streamline processes within the Donor Engagement team.

5. Administrative

• Maintain accurate and timely CRM documentation of stewardship activities and tailored donor communications, including notes, actions, and relevant donor information.
• Utilize the Foundation’s designated project management software to track assignments, monitor progress, and maintain clear communication with internal partners.
• Upload finalized donor-facing materials to the Foundation’s digital asset management system to ensure resources are accessible, searchable, and available for use by colleagues across the organization.
• Maintain accountability to other administrative systems and procedures including submitting expense reimbursements, credit card reconciliations, invoices, and reports by assigned deadlines.
• Meetings: Prepare for and actively participate in all Riley Children’s Foundation meetings as appropriate. Ensure expectations and tools for meeting agendas and follow-up are implemented.
• Technology: Understand and effectively use the technology available at the Riley Children’s Foundation.
• Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with all Foundation policies, as well as local, state, and federal laws that govern business practices

6. Other Duties as Assigned

• Participate in Riley Children’s Foundation Events as requested.