Donor Engagement Specialist

ROME GROUP; Missouri; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Hybrid workplace

HRA & FSA

401(k) plan

Paid time off & holidays

Disability insurance

Life & AD&D insurance

Employee assistance program

Wellness support

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The AAO Foundation is seeking a Donor Engagement Specialist to design and manage its annual giving program, focusing on individual donors up to $5,000. You will drive strategies across direct mail, email, digital channels, and events to increase participation and retention.

Responsibilities include setting fundraising goals, tracking performance metrics, stewarding donor relationships, and collaborating with AAO staff to align campaigns with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; nonprofit/related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years in nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, or related experience.
• Experience managing fundraising campaigns and donor communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual giving strategies via direct mail, email, digital, social media, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and monitor progress toward targets.
• Manage recurring giving programs to increase donor participation and long‑term support.
• Track, analyze, and report on campaign performance and donor engagement metrics.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors with up to $5,000 gifts.
• Develop donor stewardship and recognition initiatives to promote retention.
• Implement planned giving strategies for long-term fundraising.
• Create segmented, personalized donor communications based on history.
• Collaborate with Foundation and AAO staff to align activities with priorities.
• Maintain accurate donor records and activity in the donor CRM.
• Prepare regular reports on fundraising outcomes and engagement trends.
• Support Foundation events and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communications

Data analysis

CRM software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Donor Engagement Specialist

Department: AAO Foundation

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

Reports To: Vice President, AAO Foundation

About AAO

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is a professional association of educationally qualified orthodontic specialists dedicated to ethically advancing the art and science of orthodontics, improving the health of the public by promoting quality orthodontic care, and supporting the practice of orthodontics. The AAO is comprised of more than 19,000 members in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Orthodontics is the oldest and largest dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.

Position Summary

The Donor Engagement Specialist plans, implements, and manages a comprehensive annual giving program to secure philanthropic support for the AAO Foundation. This position is responsible for increasing donor participation, strengthening donor relationships, and improving donor retention through strategic fundraising campaigns, targeted communications, and effective stewardship practices. The role focuses primarily on individual donors with annual giving levels up to $5,000.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform this role successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Develop and execute annual giving strategies utilizing direct mail, email, digital, social media, and peer-to-peer fundraising channels.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and monitor progress to ensure performance objectives are met.
• Manage recurring giving programs to increase donor participation and long-term support.
• Track, analyze, and report on campaign performance and donor engagement metrics.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors with a primary focus on annual gifts of up to $5,000.
• Develop and implement donor stewardship and recognition initiatives to promote donor retention and satisfaction.
• Implement planned giving strategies to continue long term strategic fund raising.
• Create segmented and personalized donor communications based on donor history and engagement level.
• Collaborate with Foundation and AAO staff to align fundraising activities with organizational priorities.
• Maintain accurate donor records and activity documentation in the donor database.
• Prepare regular reports related to fundraising outcomes, donor trends, and engagement activity.
• Support Foundation events, initiatives, and other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, donor engagement, or related professional experience.
• Experience managing fundraising campaigns and donor communications preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of annual giving programs and donor stewardship best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze data and apply insights to improve fundraising performance.
• Proficiency with donor management systems (CRM) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position primarily involves sedentary office work in an indoor environment. Occasional travel is required, typically one trip annually lasting 5-8 days. The role requires the ability to lift, pack, and unpack boxes of supplies and to stand or walk for extended periods (up to 10 hours per day) during an annual conference or similar events.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Hybrid Workplace (minimum 16 hours per week in office)
• HRA and FSA
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Vacation and Sick Time, Volunteer Day, Personal Days, Paid Holidays, Summer Fridays
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Support
• Tuition Reimbursement