Donor Relations Associate

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division is seeking a Donor Relations Associate to manage a portfolio of donors and build reciprocal partnerships with individuals, couples and families who support the organization’s mission.

You will coordinate cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for Tier-C donors, travel within the local community as needed, and work with the Development Department to achieve fundraising goals while maintaining donor records and communicating program impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and 4–5 years in relationship building.
• Experience in donor relations and stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 250–300 Tier-C donors.
• Collaborates with Donor Relations staff to identify major gift prospects and steward top donors.
• Coordinates cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for Tier-C donors.
• Maintains donor records and ensures accurate documentation.
• Travel within local community and Great Lakes Division as needed.

Education

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

At The Salvation Army our employees are the heartbeat of our mission. We foster a community of passionate people dedicated to changing lives and bringing hope to those who need it most.

Position Summary:

The Donor Relations Associate plays an integral role in the success of the Great Lakes Division’s fund development efforts. The Donor Relations Associate serves a portfolio of donors by initiating, building and maintaining dynamic, reciprocal relationships with individuals, couples, and families who have a desire to partner financially with The Salvation Army.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 250 - 300 of the organization’s Tier-C giving prospects and donors.
• Works collaboratively with the Donor Relations staff to identify major gift donor prospects among the Tier-C donors and helps steward donors who have reached their maximum giving potential.
• Coordinates the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts for Tier-C donors through strategic communications, mission-driven donor experiences, and personalization.
• Oversees a range of activities that result in donors feeling appreciated, developing deeper bonds with, and greater affection for The Salvation Army and its mission.
• Partners with leaders, colleagues, and members of the Development Department to achieve organizational goals.
• Captures new information for entry into the donor’s database record regarding donor’s interests, relationships, life events, and information about capacity for philanthropic giving.
• Learns and stays current with information about Salvation Army programs and projects and effectively communicates the mission to donors.
• Meets with the Senior Donor Relations Director on a weekly basis for accountability and to discuss strategy and moves.
• Identifies and utilizes the most effective means of communication with individual donors (phone, email, regular mail, texting, etc.). For accounts that qualify at the highest level within the tier, face-to-face communication may be possible.
• Travel within local community and throughout the Great Lakes Division, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
• 4 - 5 years of relationship building or related work experience or comparable experience, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to create proposals and marketing material for donors.
• Effective conversational and presentation skills, demonstrating emotional intelligence and situational awareness.
• Must keep good documentation through contact reports and activity tracking, according to Salvation Army protocols.
• Proven expertise in developing and maintaining positive relationships with diverse individuals, including executives, leadership volunteers and wealthy donors, as well as internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Skilled in problem solving, strategic thinking, creativity, initiative and good follow-through.
• High level of comfort with direct donor interaction, including discussions of personal and family finances and asking for major financial commitments.
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with officers, staff and volunteers for successful achievement of position and department goals.
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized and able to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities with professionalism and grace.
• Demonstrated orientation to achieve goals, with a drive to achieve established goals within agreed upon timeframes.

Computer Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
• Working knowledge of TEAMS and SharePoint
• Willingness to learn new software as needed

Certificates And Licenses

• Complete Safe From Harm training, and keep current as needed
• Must have and maintain a current valid driver’s license and pass the Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR)