Donor Relations Manager

The Nature Conservancy (All); Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota is seeking a Donor Relations Manager to plan and implement fundraising activities for major and deferred gifts in support of the One Future: Together We Find a Way campaign.

You will qualify donors, grow and manage a portfolio of 75–125 prospects with gifts up to $50,000, cultivate relationships through meetings, events and personalized outreach, and travel locally for donor visits with a hybrid schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
• Major gift and direct fundraising experience.
• Managing a qualified major gift portfolio of at least 75 donors.
• Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.
• Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
• Experience working across departments.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement fundraising activities for major and deferred gifts.
• Conduct exploratory meetings to determine capacity and inclination for giving.
• Qualify major gift prospects and manage a portfolio of 75–125 donors.
• Travel locally for donor visits and across states as needed; maintain donor records in the database.
• Draft personalized correspondence and acknowledgments; coordinate with programs and partners.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor relations

Prospect management

Relationship building

Cross-department collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Donor database

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

As the Donor Relations Manager (DRM,) you will be responsible for planning and implementing fundraising activities for the ongoing cultivation of donors capable of major and/or deferred gifts to support TNC’s One Future: Together We Find a Way campaign.

In this role, you will conduct exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity and inclination for giving. You will foster relationships with donors on a professional and personal level, and also provide ongoing opportunities for contact with past, current, and prospective donors.

As our DRM, you will be responsible for the qualification of major gift prospects through our donor discovery process. Through this process, you will eventually build and manage a qualified major gift portfolio of 75 – 125 donors with the capacity to make a gift up to $50,000 and be expected to achieve an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.

You will additionally assist in qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual, foundation, and corporate donors through meetings, field trips, events, and other activities. You will work on a variety of activities including providing detailed program information to prospects and drafting personalized correspondence and acknowledgments. You will use TNC’s donor database to update information and track activity related to donors. You will also be responsible for 75 – 125 visits, and 225 – 375 moves annually.

The preferred work location is within the Twin Cities of Minnesota, with a hybrid schedule (2 days in our Minneapolis office and 3 days remote.) You will travel locally for donor visits on a weekly basis, travel once a quarter across the three states, and travel for annual training opportunities. The position allows for some flexible hours to better encourage a healthy work-life balance. The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

This is a term-limited position with funding secured through June 2031 with possibility to extend beyond 2031 dependent on budget and business needs.

We’re Looking for You:

Not only will you impact conservation objectives in our beautiful states, but you’ll contribute to The Nature Conservancy’s global conservation goals by building meaningful donor relationships.

Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.

We’re looking for a passionate and motivated fundraising professional who can deliver on program goals, and use tact and diplomacy to strengthen relationships across the organization and with partners.

A successful Donor Relations Manager will also thrive in an environment that prioritizes safety and where they can contribute to TNC’s culture of community and engagement.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience or an equivalent combination.

• Major gift and direct fundraising experience.

• Managing a qualified major gift portfolio of at least 75 donors.

• Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.

• Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.

• Experience working across departments.

• Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $82,700 - $95,200/annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

• health care benefits
• flexible spending accounts
• a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
• parental leave
• accrued paid time off
• life insurance
• disability coverage
• employee assistance program
• other life and work well-being benefits

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.