Donor Engagement Manager

Position Summary

The Donor Engagement Manager is a key, forward-facing player on African Wildlife Foundation’s (AWF) Development team. The Manager will be responsible for Northeastern US states (Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine) and will represent AWF in the competitive west coast market.
S/he will manage a dynamic portfolio of ~150 existing and prospective major donors who are currently giving or have the capacity to give $10,000 annually.
Together with the Director, Major Gifts, the Manager will design strategies to steward existing donors and cultivate new relationships. The Manager will be responsible for implementing strategies to upgrade target individuals, be a team player, and collaborate with the Development team to achieve annual unrestricted, restricted and Special Gifts campaign goals.

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Key Duties and Responsibilities*

• Build and cultivate relationships with a small, targeted and dynamic portfolio of ~150 individual donors and prospects.
• Working in partnership with the senior staff on the Development Team, develop and implement moves management strategies designed to move donors up the donor pyramid in a well thought out and strategic way.
• Participate in each step of the donor pipeline including: identification; qualification, cultivation; ‘making the ask’, timely stewardship, and recognition.
• Organizes and participates in major donor cultivation events in coordination with the Development team.
• Attend events in her/his territory that are centered on conservation topics to network with potential donors and partner organizations as well as increase the public’s awareness of AWF’s presence in the market.
• Understand and effectively communicate AWF’s unique approach to African conservation, its goals, as well as details about its programs, with clarity and a demonstrated passion for the organization’s mission.
• Customize proposals and subsequent reports to solicit restricted and unrestricted funding from individual prospects and donors.
• Customize program collateral for major donors to keep them engaged and informed on AWF’s impact in target landscapes.
• Proactive tracking of all donor communications and strategies on Raiser’s Edge.
• Explore and implement creative ways to acknowledge donors
• Manage travel logistics for his/herself and on occasion other staff members – when appropriate –ensuring we are within budget requirements
• In collaboration with the Special Advisor, Development and Public Engagement, lead on stewardship activities for AWF’s Trustee Alumni and Trustee Emeriti programs.
• Co-lead donor safaris to Africa as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Passionate about advocating for AWF’s mission to ensure that wildlife and wild lands endure in modern Africa.
• Demonstrative knowledge of conservation issues and the organizational players.
• At least 4 years successful track record of fundraising with individual major donors and prospects.
• Persuasive written communication skills in both creative and technical formats.

. Excellent interpersonal skills with genuine ability to relate to people from various geographic and economic backgrounds.

• Confident public speaker, able to present compelling short programs to groups of donors and prospects.
• Ability to travel at least 35% of the time (including travel to Africa when appropriate).
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge software.

Job Type: Full-time