Donor Relations Officer

Inside Philanthropy; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Constitutional Rights is seeking a Donor Relations Officer to manage a mid-level donor portfolio and execute the annual Development Plan. You will collaborate with senior staff to implement moves management, craft donor communications, and identify strategies to grow giving across Founders’ Circle donors.

The role involves in-person and virtual cultivation, collaboration with program staff, and occasional travel to major donor events, with 1–2 days in-office weekly.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years development experience with 2 years of donor stewardship experience required
• Strong relational skills and ability to engage with donors
• Superior writing skills, including translating legal work for general audiences
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills; digital literacy in MS Office
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Professionalism, initiative, and personal responsibility

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors to execute the annual Development Plan
• Develop yearly fundraising plans, strategies, and goals for the mid-level program
• Implement donor-centric moves management, including cultivation, stewardship and solicitation
• Create strategic cultivation and solicitation communications for Founders’ Circle donors
• Conduct prospect research to prioritize high-capacity donors
• Identify strategies to increase giving among current Founders’ Circle donors
• Contribute to newsletters, annual report, and updates
• Coordinate meetings and travel for major donor outreach across cities

Skills

Relational skills

Donor engagement

Writing skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Written & interpersonal comms

Digital literacy

Independence & teamwork

Humor under pressure

Multicultural competence

Tools

Raiser's Edge

EveryAction

Job description

Background:

The Center for Constitutional Rights works with communities under threat to fight for justice and liberation through litigation, advocacy, and strategic communications. Since 1966, we have taken on oppressive systems of power, including structural racism, gender oppression, economic inequity, and governmental overreach.

Too often, the law supports systems of power that violate our most fundamental rights and prevent people from living with dignity. We use creative and aggressive advocacy, communications, and legal strategies to combat the most virulent forms of oppression and to push law and policy to meet the demands of justice. Our teams partner and work with systems-impacted communities and social movements to build power and co-design legal, policy, and cultural interventions that advance the vision of the world our partners and clients want to see. And through strategic communications, we increase public support for our efforts in order to challenge dominant narratives that normalize injustice.

Our approach is holistic, fearless, and relentless. You have a role to play in this fight. Join forces with our activists, lawyers, and storytellers to fight oppression and build power.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Director of Development and in collaboration with the Senior Donor Relations Officers, the Donor Relations Officer is responsible for managing a portfolio of donors who give $1,000- $5,000 to the Center for Constitutional Rights. Portfolio management includes the development and implementation of efficient yearly plans for the 300+ mid-level, Founders’ Circle donors.

Location:

In-office presence currently 1-2 days per week, subject to director's discretion.

Responsibilities:

Founders’ Circle- Mid-Level Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of donors to support execution of the annual Development Plan and other fundraising initiatives
• With the Director of Development and Senior Donor Relations Officers, develop yearly fundraising plans, strategies, and goals for the mid-level giving program
• With the Director of Development, Senior Donor Relations Officers, program staff, and/or board members, implement meaningful donor-centric moves management, including in-person and virtual cultivation, stewardship and solicitation meetings, event participation, and email and mail outreach
• Develop and implement strategic cultivation and solicitation communications for Founders’ Circle donors – including email and mail appeals
• Conduct prospect research on donors in portfolio to prioritize donors with more capacity and propensity to give
• Identify and propose strategies to increase giving among current Founders’ Circle donors
• Assist and/or contribute to periodic program updates, the Development newsletter, and the annual report
• In collaboration with the Director of Development and Senior Donor Relations Officers, meet with donors and/or recommend meetings for the team traveling to various cities for major donor meetings

Special Events

• Support the implementation of the Insider events – small special events with an emphasis on meaningful cultivation and stewardship of current and prospective major donors
• Assist the team with the annual donor thank you reception and quarterly donor forums

Miscellaneous

• Contribute content to direct mail pieces, newsletters, acknowledgement letters, the annual report, and other written materials as needed
• Participate in departmental and organizational planning and projects, and organization-wide committees, as assigned by the Director of Development
• Assist with other departmental work as assigned by the Director of Development

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years development experience with 2 years of donor stewardship experience required
• Strong relational skills
• Experience engaging with donors
• Superior writing skills, including ability to translate technical legal work for a general audience
• Database experience required; experience with Raisers Edge and EveryAction preferred
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, including proven ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks and priorities under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including ability to anticipate problems and use judgment appropriately to plan solutions
• Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent written and interpersonal communications
• Strong digital literacy, with proficiency in MS Office applications
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Professionalism, initiative, and personal responsibility
• Integrity, grace under pressure, and a sense of humor
• Multi-cultural competence and comfort – ability to work with a diverse team and to work across differences at all levels
• Comfort working in a progressive legal and advocacy environment
• A belief in the mission of the Center for Constitutional Rights
• Ability to travel; valid driver’s license preferred