Donor Relations Manager

Planned Parenthood of Illinois; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Paid time off

401k

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance

Professional development

Flexible spending accounts

Free medical services

Pet insurance

Job summary

Planned Parenthood of Illinois seeks a Donor Relations Manager to expand support from mid-level donors ($1,000–$24,999) and steward the portfolio to build a strong pipeline for major gifts.

You will implement communications strategies, coordinate stewardship events, and collaborate with PPFA and the CEO's team. The role requires four years of fundraising experience, exceptional written and verbal skills, and comfort with data in Salesforce, with occasional statewide travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of four years fundraising experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to manage multiple projects; self-motivated team player.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with mid-level donors through regular communication and in-person interactions.
• Develop and implement communication strategies for the mid-level donor group, including newsletters and briefing calls.
• Provide updates on impact and progress to demonstrate the value of donations through stewardship events.
• Manage and execute the donor stewardship program (e.g., thank-you calls).
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward mid-level donors to meet financial goals.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Travel availability

Driver's license

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

The Donor Relations Manager is responsible for inspiring, broadening, and deepening the support of individual donors to Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). The Donor Relations Manager executes the strategy and management of the midlevel portfolio with the responsibility of cultivating and stewarding this donor group to ensure a robust pipeline for major gifts.

The Donor Relations Manager focuses on engaging and cultivating relationships with donors who give in the range of $1,000-$24,999 annually, often involving strategies like personalized communications, cultivation event planning, and database management to increase donor retention and engagement. They are responsible for cultivating, stewarding and soliciting a Mid-Level gift portfolio of donors to meet the diverse financial goals of PPIL.

This position works under the supervision of the Chief Development Officer.

Essential Functions:

1. Build and maintain strong relationships with mid-level donors through individualized regular communication (phone, email, mail) and in-person interactions.
2. Develop, create, and implement communication strategies tailored to the mid-level donor group, including but not limited to quarterly newsletters(Inside Our Doors) and virtual briefing calls.
3. Provide updates on the organization's impact and progress, demonstrating the value of donor contributions through stewardship luncheons.
4. Manage and execute the donor stewardship program .ie. the thank you call list.
5. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward the assigned portfolio of individual prospects for mid-level gifts. Ensure that the assigned portfolio is managed with the highest professional and ethical standards.
6. Support planning and execution of statewide fundraising special events to meet departmental goals, including cultivation events throughout the state and the downstate engagement program.
7. Work in collaboration with the Events Manager for the annual President’s Circle stewardship event.
8. Design and executing targeted fundraising campaigns, such as Giving Tuesday, to reach specific donor segments.
9. Manage bi-weekly meeting with CEO and development leadership team, including preparing agenda items, tracking follow-up activities, and managing CEO’s donor cultivation list.

2. (30% - Strategy and Planning)

1. Work in collaboration with team members at PPIL, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and other affiliates where applicable to develop cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation strategies for the midlevel donor portfolio ($1,000 - $24,999).
2. Work closely with Major Gifts Officers to enhance the ongoing activities for the midlevel donor group that serves as a donor pipeline for major gifts ($24,999+).
3. Create and implement strategies to acquire, renew, and upgrade mid-level donors. Working closely with the PPFA, the Chief Development Officer, CEO, and Director of Major and Individual Giving on prospecting lists: identifying prospects through donor list mining, community events, and other intel.
4. Work collaboratively with colleagues across PPIL to create, disseminate, and amplify midlevel messages and ensure comprehensive and consistent messaging across all channels including digital and social.
5. Establish long term goals and annual performance metrics for a midlevel portfolio of individuals in collaboration with the Director of Major and Individual Giving and Chief Development Officer.
6. Oversee and update the Development team’s communications calendar and development activities on the PPIL Comms calendar to ensure timely messaging without overlapping communications.

3. (25% - Data Management and Analysis)

1. Conduct regular and ongoing portfolio analysis, communicate outcomes and challenges, suggest portfolio adjustments as needed, and project results as needed for reports and planning
2. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor records in the organization's CRM system (Salesforce NPSP). Updating the database to ensure accuracy.
3. Prepare reports on fundraising performance and donor engagement of the mid-level and major giving program.

Other responsibilities:

1. Adhere to all departmental policies and procedures, as well as the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to remain informed about PPIL protocols, policies, and procedures.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to PPIL core values of access, activism, care, confidentiality, diversity, excellence, integrity, respect, self-determination, and stewardship; practice these values in relations with internal and external customers.
4. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

Required: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Experience

A minimum of four years of fundraising experience

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects at one time. A self-motivated team player who can energize and lead both staff and volunteers. Dedication, flexibility, attention to detail and creativity a must. Ability to work with internal and external constituents. Familiarity with fundraising software (Salesforce experience a plus) and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite. Must be willing to maintain a flexible work schedule including evening and weekend hours and state-wide travel. Must possess a valid driver’s license. All candidates must have a commitment to operating goals of Planned Parenthood and possess the ability to contribute to the overall goals of the development department and organization.

Physical demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use the phone. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to key in data, handle, or feel and reach. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

$70,000 - $75,000 a year

Just a few of the Benefits enjoyed by PPIL employees...

• Company-subsidized premiums on Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Up to 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave for eligible emplpyees
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Mission-focused work
• 401k with employer matching
• 100% company-paid Life Insurance
• 100% company-paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development awards and opportunities
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Free Medical Services at PPIL
• Pet Insurance

Planned Parenthood does not discriminate in the selection of its staff based on factors including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, marital status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. We know that BIPOC and women identifying candidates are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every requirement. Do not be deterred if your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in job posting.