Donor Relations & Growth Manager (Major Gifts Path)

Auditorium Theatre; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Auditorium Theatre is seeking an Individual Giving Manager to cultivate a portfolio of mid-level and emerging major gift donors, coordinating stewardship and donor experiences across performances and events. You will partner with leadership on gift strategies and maintain donor records within Salesforce, while engaging with board members and auxiliary groups to expand philanthropic support.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, strategic donor engagement, and hands-on experience in donor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-4 years of fundraising, nonprofit, sales, customer relationship management, or related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong project management and administrative abilities.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, committees, or boards is preferred.
• Familiarity with donor database/CRM systems, Salesforce preferred.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of mid-level and emerging major gift donors and prospects. Create and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to increase donor engagement and philanthropic support.
• Partner with Development leadership on major gift strategies and donor pipeline development. Maintain accurate donor records, moves management plans, and activity tracking within the Salesforce CRM.
• Support and execute stewardship strategies that recognize and celebrate donor impact at all giving levels.
• Actively engage with donors and prospects in the donor lounge before, during, and after performances, fostering relationships and identifying opportunities for deeper engagement.
• Coordinate with front‑of‑house and box office teams to ensure exceptional donor experiences.
• Facilitate donor introductions to organizational leadership, artists, board members, and volunteer leaders as appropriate.
• Gather donor feedback and insights to inform cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison to the Board of Directors in partnership with organizational leadership.
• Coordinate board communications, meeting logistics, materials, and follow‑up activities.
• Manage stewardship and engagement strategies for board members as donors and philanthropic partners.
• Maintain board giving records and support efforts to achieve board participation and fundraising goals.
• Ensure board members are actively informed, engaged, and recognized for their contributions and leadership.
• Provide staff leadership and support for the organization’s Auxiliary Board.
• Recruit, engage, and steward Auxiliary Board members.
• Coordinate meetings, committees, fundraising initiatives, and volunteer opportunities.
• Support leadership development and pathways for deeper engagement within the organization.
• Serve as support for affinity groups, including Restoration Partners and Dance Partners.
• Support with the planning of meetings, events, communications, and engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate on developing strategies to strengthen affinity group participation and philanthropic support.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Organization

CRM familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Auditorium Theatre is seeking an Individual Giving Manager to cultivate a portfolio of mid-level and emerging major gift donors, coordinating stewardship and donor experiences across performances and events. You will partner with leadership on gift strategies and maintain donor records within Salesforce, while engaging with board members and auxiliary groups to expand philanthropic support.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, strategic donor engagement, and hands-on experience in donor