Manager of Individual Giving

Ghost Ranch; Abiquiu (NM); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement match

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Plan

Paid annual leave & holidays

Lunch provided daily

Job summary

Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center is seeking a thoughtful fundraiser to grow and steward individual donors in support of our mission. This full-time, hybrid role cultivates relationships, coordinates annual giving, and supports major gifts with a strategic approach.

Reporting to the Director of Development, you will manage a donor portfolio, collaborate with marketing and programs, and engage boards and volunteers to advance Ghost Ranch priorities.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of professional fundraising experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project management and the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with CRM systems; Raiser's Edge a plus.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual giving strategies to meet fundraising goals.
• Manage a portfolio of 25–50 individual donors with personalized cultivation.
• Identify prospective donors through research and engagement.
• Renew and upgrade annual giving programs to boost donor loyalty.
• Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship activities.

Skills

Donor relationships

Annual giving

Major gifts

Project management

CRM systems

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Self-motivation

Team collaboration

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Base Pay $55,000.00 - $67,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type Full-Time Exempt

Description

Ghost Ranch is seeking a thoughtful, relationship-centered fundraiser to cultivate, engage, and steward individual donors in support of our mission and priorities. This role is well suited to a self-motivated professional who enjoys building genuine relationships, connecting people to a meaningful place, and working collaboratively toward shared goals. The right person brings strategic thinking, strong follow-through, and a positive, resilient spirit to the work.

Summary

The Manager of Individual Giving & Annual Fund builds and deepens relationships with the people who believe in Ghost Ranch and want to help sustain its future. Working closely with the Director of Development, this position develops and carries out annual giving strategies, serves as Board Liaison to improve their engagement and relationships, manages a small portfolio of individual donors, supports major gift fundraising, and creates meaningful opportunities for donor cultivation and stewardship.

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Manager works across Development, Marketing, and Programs, and partners with the CEO, Board members, volunteers, and colleagues throughout Ghost Ranch to connect supporters with the people, programs, and possibilities their generosity makes possible.

Ghost Ranch is a historic, mission-driven retreat and education center set on 21,000 acres in the high desert of Northern New Mexico. It’s a place of wide-open skies, stunning clouds, and fierce natural beauty. Artists, adventurers, and seekers of all sorts find what they are looking for here: opportunities to learn, experiences that nourish and challenge, and connections that transform. Our guests come from near and far to take part in classes, workshops, and retreats; to camp, hike, and star gaze; and to reunite with family and friends.

While much of Ghost Ranch’s budget comes from earned revenue through hospitality and programs, philanthropy has been part of our story from the beginning. Ghost Ranch was born from a gift. For seventy years the generosity of donors has helped sustain this remarkable place and make its programs and experiences possible.

Requirements

Key Responsibilitie s

Annual Giving & Donor Relationships

• Develop and implement annual giving strategies to achieve fundraising goals. The Development team has a target of $1million for contributed revenue in 2027.
• Manage a portfolio of 25-50 individual donors, with a primary focus on those giving $500–$5,000, through proactive personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identify and build relationships with prospective donors through research, conversations, visits, and other opportunities to learn about their interests and connection to Ghost Ranch.
• Develop renewal, retention, and upgrade strategies that strengthen annual giving and donor loyalty.
• Create and oversee donor recognition activities, including personalized acknowledgments, impact updates, and opportunities for continued engagement. Show and express gratitude to donors consistently and authentically.
• Steward and administer the Camposanto Memorial Wall program, including responding to inquiries, coordinating orders and placements of memorial plaques, assisting with family visits to the site, and appropriate acknowledgement and communications with families.

Annual Fund & Communications

• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans in collaboration with the Director of Development and Marketing team, including direct mail, email appeals, targeted campaigns, and other donor engagement activities.
• Establish and track annual fundraising goals and measures of success, including donor acquisition, retention, increased giving, and overall revenue growth.
• Segment audiences and tailor appeals and communications to increase engagement and giving.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development and Marketing Director on fundraising messaging and cases for support.
• Stay curious about emerging fundraising practices, donor engagement trends, and new opportunities to strengthen Ghost Ranch’s annual giving program.

Major Gifts, Capital Campaign & Special Initiatives

• Partner with the Director of Development, CEO, and Board members to develop thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major donors.
• Support the Capital Campaign and Board Development initiatives by providing donor insights, narratives, data, and strategic engagement support.
• Collaborate across departments to identify and pursue opportunities that connect donors and volunteers with Ghost Ranch programs, priorities, and special events.
• Help plan, coordinate, and host in-person events for donor cultivation and fundraising.
• Develop and facilitate “Giving Groups” and other opportunities for donors to connect with one another and deepen their engagement.
• Re‑engage the currently dormant Chimney Rock Planned Giving group and manage at least one event annually.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of Ghost Ranch’s mission, programs, priorities, history, and fundraising goals in order to represent the organization accurately and compellingly to donors and to serve as an ambassador for Ghost Ranch in the broader community.

Data, Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely donor records, activities, and contact reports in Raiser’s Edge CRM.
• Track donor engagement, solicitation activity, retention, and movement toward increased giving.
• Develop regular reports and analysis to inform fundraising strategy and measure progress.
• Work with the Development Associate and Director of Development to produce data, reports, and presentations for the Board Development Committee.
• Prepare materials and take minutes for six annual Board Development Committee meetings.
• Understand and adhere to the Gift Acceptance Policy and other applicable policies and procedures.
• Support the Director of Development and Board leadership with communications and administration for Board Members.
• Attend four Board Meetings annually (two online; two in person). With the Development Associate, record minutes, document actions, and follow up with board members as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of professional fundraising experience in individual giving, annual fund, major gifts, or comparable experience building philanthropic relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic, productive one-on-one relationships with donors and inspire philanthropic support.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, organized, flexible, and able to work independently while staying connected to a collaborative team.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, including donor data management, reporting, and moves management; experience with Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with project or content management systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of Ghost Ranch, its history, setting, programs, and challenges is a plus.

Summary

The Manager of Individual Giving & Annual Fund reports to the Director of Development.This is a full-time position targeted at $55,000-$67,000 per year, depending on experience. This is a hybrid position, with a majority of work time expected onsite in Abiquiu or in person with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and community partners. The position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays for donor visits, special events, and staff retreats. Reliable transportation is required due to Ghost Ranch’s rural location and the need for occasional travel.

Ghost Ranch offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings with a match; Flexible Spending Account and an Employee Assistance Plan. Benefits include paid annual leave, sick leave, holidays, and community service. Lunch is provided daily in the Dining Hall. Staff are encouraged to participate in one tuition-free Ghost Ranch workshop annually. Overnight lodging is provided when work duties or inclement weather affect a commute.

Ghost Ranch provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or other protected characteristics.