Donor Relations Associate

Position Summary: The Donor Relations Associate plays an integral role in the success of the Great Lakes Division's fund development efforts. The Donor Relations Associate serves a portfolio of donors by initiating, building and maintaining dynamic, reciprocal relationships with individuals, couples, and families who have a desire to partner financially with The Salvation Army.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Manages a portfolio of 250 - 300 of the organization's Tier-C giving prospects and donors.
• Works collaboratively with the Donor Relations staff to identify major gift donor prospects among the Tier-C donors and helps steward donors who have reached their maximum giving potential.
• Coordinates the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts for Tier-C donors through strategic communications, mission-driven donor experiences, and personalization.
• Oversees a range of activities that result in donors feeling appreciated, developing deeper bonds with, and greater affection for The Salvation Army and its mission.
• Partners with leaders, colleagues, and members of the Development Department to achieve organizational goals.
• Captures new information for entry into the donor's database record regarding donor's interests, relationships, life events, and information about capacity for philanthropic giving.
• Learns and stays current with information about Salvation Army programs and projects and effectively communicates the mission to donors.
• Meets with the Senior Donor Relations Director on a weekly basis for accountability and to discuss strategy and moves.
• Identifies and utilizes the most effective means of communication with individual donors (phone, email, regular mail, texting, etc.). For accounts that qualify at the highest level within the tier, face-to-face communication may be possible.
• Travel within local community and throughout the Great Lakes Division, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (preferred)
• 4 - 5 years of relationship building or related work experience or comparable experience, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to create proposals and marketing material for donors.
• Effective conversational and presentation skills, demonstrating emotional intelligence and situational awareness.
• Must keep good documentation through contact reports and activity tracking, according to Salvation Army protocols.
• Proven expertise in developing and maintaining positive relationships with diverse individuals, including executives, leadership volunteers and wealthy donors, as well as internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Skilled in problem solving, strategic thinking, creativity, initiative and good follow-through.
• High level of comfort with direct donor interaction, including discussions of personal and family finances and asking for major financial commitments.
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with officers, staff and volunteers for successful achievement of position and department goals.
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized and able to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities with professionalism and grace.
• Demonstrated orientation to achieve goals, with a drive to achieve established goals within agreed upon timeframes.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
• Working knowledge of TEAMS and SharePoint
• Willingness to learn new software as needed

Certificates and Licenses:

• Complete Safe From Harm training, and keep current as needed
• Must have and maintain a current valid driver's license and pass the Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR)