Donor Relations Specialist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Generous retirement plan

Flexible remote work environment

Professional development opportunities

Global impact

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Donor Relations Specialist to cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners from a remote-first team. The role focuses on personalized engagement, donor communications, and stewardship to sustain funding for humanitarian programs.

The position requires at least 5 years in donor relations, strong writing and verbal abilities, and proficiency with CRM platforms like Salesforce or Raiser's Edge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Philanthropy, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in donor relations, fundraising, or non-profit development.
• Proven success in managing donor relationships and fundraising targets.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in CRM software (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) and digital communication platforms.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
• Experience in planning and executing virtual events is highly desirable.
• A deep understanding of ethical fundraising practices and donor stewardship.
• Passion for humanitarian work and the mission of our client.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and a team player in a virtual setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic donor stewardship plan to cultivate and retain individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Manage a portfolio of donors, ensuring personalized and timely communication, updates, and recognition.
• Organize and coordinate virtual donor events, webinars, and engagement opportunities.
• Craft compelling proposals, impact reports, and thank-you communications tailored to specific donor interests.
• Utilize CRM systems to track donor interactions, manage data, and generate reports on fundraising progress.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop engaging content for donor newsletters and social media campaigns.
• Identify new fundraising opportunities and potential donor prospects.
• Provide exceptional customer service to donors, addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
• Conduct research on potential donors and funding landscapes.
• Contribute to the overall fundraising strategy and goals of the organization, working seamlessly within a remote team structure.

Skills

Communication skills

Remote collaboration

Donor relationship management

Event planning coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Philanthropy, or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser's Edge

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading international humanitarian aid organization, is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Donor Relations Specialist to join their remote-first team. This position is crucial for cultivating and strengthening relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners, ensuring the continued financial support necessary for our client's life-saving programs. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing personalized engagement strategies, managing donor communications, and overseeing stewardship activities to foster loyalty and increase contributions. Operating from a remote setting, this role requires exceptional communication skills, a proactive approach to relationship management, and a deep understanding of fundraising principles. You will be a key player in enabling our client to deliver critical assistance worldwide, making a profound impact from wherever you work. This role is specifically designed for professionals who thrive in a distributed team environment and are passionate about humanitarian causes. The Donor Relations Specialist will be the primary point of contact for many of our client's most valued supporters.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic donor stewardship plan to cultivate and retain individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Manage a portfolio of donors, ensuring personalized and timely communication, updates, and recognition.
• Organize and coordinate virtual donor events, webinars, and engagement opportunities.
• Craft compelling proposals, impact reports, and thank-you communications tailored to specific donor interests.
• Utilize CRM systems to track donor interactions, manage data, and generate reports on fundraising progress.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop engaging content for donor newsletters and social media campaigns.
• Identify new fundraising opportunities and potential donor prospects.
• Provide exceptional customer service to donors, addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
• Conduct research on potential donors and funding landscapes.
• Contribute to the overall fundraising strategy and goals of the organization, working seamlessly within a remote team structure.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Philanthropy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, or non-profit development.
• Proven success in managing donor relationships and achieving fundraising targets.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for crafting persuasive narratives.
• Strong proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) and digital communication platforms.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
• Experience in planning and executing virtual events is highly desirable.
• A deep understanding of ethical fundraising practices and donor stewardship.
• Passion for humanitarian work and the mission of our client.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and a team player in a virtual setting.

Benefits

• This remote position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a generous retirement plan.
• Our client values work-life balance and provides a flexible work environment, enabling you to work effectively from home.
• Opportunities for professional development, including access to online courses and virtual conferences, are provided.
• You will be part of a globally recognized organization with a strong commitment to its mission, experiencing the deep satisfaction of contributing to critical humanitarian efforts.
• The ability to connect with a diverse global community of supporters and make a tangible impact from your own workspace is a unique benefit of this role.
• We offer a supportive and collaborative remote culture where your contributions are valued and recognized.