Donor Relations (Mid-Level) Manager

The Salvation Army Southern California; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity for hybrid-remote work

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

The Salvation Army Southern California is seeking a Mid-Level Donor Relations Manager to cultivate and strengthen relationships with a portfolio of 800–1,500 mid-level donors. This position involves driving donor engagement and retention while supporting the fundraising efforts of the Development team.

Qualified candidates should have at least three years of experience in donor relations or a related field and possess strong interpersonal skills. The role offers a full-time position in Seattle with opportunities for hybrid-remote work.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, customer service, or related field.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and providing exceptional customer service.
• Experience working with donor databases or CRM systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with mid-level donors and provide timely acknowledgments.
• Monitor donor giving trends and support portfolio revenue growth goals.
• Maintain accurate donor records and prepare reports to support fundraising strategy.

Skills

Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills

Excellent written, verbal, and telephone communication skills

Customer service mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Blackbaud CRM

Job description

POSITION TITLE: MID-LEVEL DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER

DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT

STATUS: REGULAR FULL-TIME; NON-EXEMPT HOURLY

SUPERVISOR: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Scope Of Position

The Mid-Level Donor Relations Manager cultivates, stewards, and strengthens relationships with an assigned portfolio of approximately 800–1,500 donor households contributing between $1,000 and $4,999 annually. Through personalized engagement, stewardship, and strategic communication, the position helps donors understand the impact of their giving while supporting donor retention, revenue growth, and advancement to major giving opportunities. The position is responsible for achieving annual portfolio growth goals and works collaboratively with Development team members to advance fundraising objectives throughout the Northwest Division.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Manage relationships with an assigned portfolio of mid-level donors including driving to offsite meetings and events.
• Provide timely acknowledgments, appreciation calls, impact updates, and stewardship communications.
• Respond promptly and professionally to donor inquiries.
• Invite donors to events, tours, and engagement opportunities.
• Ensure donors feel informed, valued, and connected to the mission of The Salvation Army.

Portfolio Management & Growth

• Monitor donor giving and engagement trends to identify opportunities for retention and growth.
• Identify and refer qualified donors to Donor Relations Director and Major Gift portfolios.
• Support annual portfolio revenue growth goals.
• Maintain portfolio health through ongoing donor engagement and stewardship.

Donor Records & Reporting

• Maintain accurate donor records and document meaningful donor interactions in the CRM.
• Coordinate gift documentation, including stock gifts and donor acknowledgments.
• Analyze donor activity and prepare reports to support fundraising strategy.
• Ensure donor information is managed in accordance with organizational standards and confidentiality requirements.

Collaboration

• Partner with Development team members, officers, and staff to strengthen donor relationships and fundraising outcomes.
• Support fundraising campaigns, special events, and other development initiatives as assigned.

Safety

• Follow all safety and driving requirements.

Education And Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, customer service, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and providing exceptional customer service.
• Experience working with donor databases or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Commitment to The Salvation Army's mission and values.
• Strong relationship‑building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with diverse cultures and population groups.
• Excellent written, verbal, and telephone communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and follow‑through.
• Ability to analyze information and identify opportunities for donor engagement and growth.
• Professional judgment when handling confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong use of the English language in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and maintain poise under pressure.
• Customer service mindset.
• Ability and willingness to keep information confidential.
• Ability to pass and follow The Salvation Army’s Protect the Mission program elements to ensure the safety of minors and vulnerable adults.
• Driving: Must possess a valid State of Washington driver's license, be able to pass the Salvation Army motor vehicle report standards and be at least 21 years of age.

Software-related Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with donor databases or CRM systems; Blackbaud preferred.
• Canva or desktop publishing experience preferred.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted tools such as Microsoft Copilot preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach over their head.
• Ability to operate telephone.
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer.
• Ability to understand written information.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Work is performed in a normal office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomfort associated without noise, dust, dirt and similar.

Work Schedule / Location:
Monday through Friday / In‑person at Northwest Division headquarters in Seattle, WA, with opportunity to work remotely on a part‑time basis per established headquarters hybrid‑remote work guidelines.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization’s need or when circumstances change.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.