Donor Relations Manager

The Nature Conservancy; United States; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Donor Relations Manager to plan and lead fundraising activities for major and deferred gifts, while nurturing donor relationships and fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. The role focuses on identifying capacity and inclination, and delivering tailored engagement strategies.

You will qualify prospects, manage a portfolio of 75–125 donors capable of gifts up to $50,000, and drive an annual fundraising goal of $500,000+, coordinating visits, field trips, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Major gift and direct fundraising experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
• Experience managing a qualified major gift portfolio of 75 – 125 donors.
• Experience working across departments.
• Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement fundraising activities for ongoing cultivation of donors capable of major and/or deferred gifts.
• Qualify major gift prospects through the donor discovery process.
• Build and manage a qualified major gift portfolio of 75 – 125 donors with capacity to give up to $50,000.
• Achieve an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, and assist in bequest notifications.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising

Relationship building

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Donor database

Job description

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 includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.Our 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. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Donor Relations Manager (DRM) is 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. You will also champion a safe environment, and assess processes with a diversity, inclusion, and equity lens. 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 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 (through June 30, 2031) with the potential for extension based on budget.

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 will also foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within teams, strategies, and projects, among staff and volunteers, across the organization and with partners.

What You’ll Bring:

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


• Major gift and direct fundraising experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.


• Experience managing a qualified major gift portfolio of 75 – 125 donors.


• Experience working across departments.


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


• Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.

In addition, the following desired skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required. For applicants without these skills, please view these as areas or skillsets where you will have opportunities for growth and professional development.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to qualify and disqualify major donor prospects using discovery tools and methods.


• Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.


• Ability to implement and coordinate multiple fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.


• Demonstrated experience using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.


• Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world! The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers. We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!