Program Manager, Donor Relations

nshs; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 100,748,000 - 156,165,000; Full time

Job summary

nshs is seeking a Program Manager, Donor Relations to coordinate stewardship across hospitals and foundations in Illinois. You will lead donor communications, reports, and recognition efforts, while aligning plans with fund managers and leadership.

The role requires 5+ years in donor relations, strong project management, and CRM proficiency, with travel to different locations for meetings and events. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years in a development office or donor relations/stewardship experience required.
• 3–5+ years with Salesforce or other CRM preferred.
• Experience coordinating budgets, projects and events with vendors is required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Philanthropy Communications to produce stewardship materials (acknowledgments, reports, donor communications) with a cohesive system brand identity.
• Lead stewardship meetings with frontline fundraising teams to define owners and timelines.
• Document stewardship actions and donor notes in CRM; coordinate pledge reminders with Donor Services.
• Contribute ideas to advance program impact and donor engagement across the foundations.
• Maintain donor recognition walls/plaques and ensure accurate donor records across locations.
• Ensure timely fund balance details with finance and philanthropy leadership; align donor intent with fund purposes.
• Support strategic planning for stewardship and cultivation events with events and fundraising teams.
• Develop and update policies and SOPs related to gift and fiscal procedures across foundations.

Skills

Donor relations

Stewardship planning

Project management

CRM (Salesforce)

Communication skills

Budget coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Program Manager, Donor Relations

Hourly Pay Range: $35.16 - $54.50 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.

Position Highlights:

• Position: Program Manager, Donor Relations
• Location: Evanston, Elmhurst, Naperville, or Arlington Heights, IL
• Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (40 hours)
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm
• Required Travel: travel to other locations may be required for meetings and events

What you will do:

• Working collaboratively with Philanthropy Communications to write and manage the production of stewardship vehicles that lend consistency and cohesiveness to the identity of the system brand, including acknowledgment templates, endowment reports, impact reports, annual reports, personal stewardship communications for C-suite leadership and top-tier donor engagement, and segmented donor cohort stewardship communications.
• Lead standing stewardship meetings with the foundations' frontline fundraising teams to align on stewardship plans with clear owners and timelines.
• Ensure stewardship plans, actions and relationship notes are well documented in donor CRM records. Ensure pledge balances and reminders are coordinated with the Donor Services team and communicated to donors appropriately.
• Contribute new ideas to advance the strategic efforts and impact of the program on an ongoing basis.
• Manage the upkeep of donor recognition walls and plaques across the hospitals and system locations.
• Maintain accurate historical donor files; and update electronic and hardcopy files as applicable to ensure transparent, comprehensive records.
• With financial reporting leadership and Philanthropy Operations, ensure system leadership, foundations' teams and fund managers have timely and accurate details regarding their philanthropic fund balances, fund impact and alignment of donor intent in fund purposes, including special purpose, research and endowment funds.
• In tandem with the events team and fundraising partners, inform and contribute to strategic planning and counsel for all stewardship and applicable cultivation events.
• In collaboration with Philanthropy Operations and foundation teams, lead updates to policies and procedures to harmonize gift and fiscal policies across the foundations. Create and update Standard Operating Procedures and train on new procedures across the foundation teams.

What you will need:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Certification: n/a
• Experience: 5+ years in a development office or with related donor relations and stewardship experience is required, along with an inherent joy of working with donors and colleagues to celebrate philanthropy to be successful.
• 3-5+ years with Salesforce or other CRM is preferred.
• Experience with project management tools and techniques is required.
• Experience coordinating budgets, projects and events with vendors is required.

Unique or Preferred Skills:

• Deep knowledge of best practices in donor relations and stewardship with demonstrated success in developing and executing impactful plans and initiatives that lead to meaningful donor engagement and repeated and increased donor giving.
• Proficiency with MS Office and proactively working with Salesforce or similar CRM is strongly preferred.
• Tech-savvy and avid learner with a keen interest in fundraising, nonprofit trends, data and donor relations.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to relate and interact warmly and professionally with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including system leadership, cross-departmental partners, vendors, prospects and discerning donors.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion.
• Excels in project management: multi-tasking, goal setting, accountability, attention to detail and workload prioritization.