Donor Relations Associate @ DHQ Kansas City, MO

Job Objective: The Donor Relations Associate is responsible for cultivating and managing a Tier-C fundraising program to prospect and cultivate donor relationships with the intent of identifying donors that qualify for a higher level of personal engagement with a Donor Relations Director (DRD). This position coordinates the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for Tier-C donors through strategic communications, mission-driven donor experiences, and personalization.

The Donor Relations Associate (DRA) is responsible for overseeing a range of activities that result in donors feeling appreciated, developing deeper bonds with and greater affection for The Salvation Army and its mission, and understanding that their gifts are critically important, thus increasing the likelihood of future gifts. Candidate will partner with leaders, colleagues, and members of the Development Department to achieve organizational goals.

The DRA 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. To appropriately thank donors giving at a specified giving range.

Essential Functions:

• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients and visitors; respect of others' property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind

• Manage a portfolio of 400+ of the organization's Tier-C giving prospects and donors

• Meet with the Sr. Donor Relations Director on a weekly basis for accountability and to discuss strategy and moves

• Cultivate relationships by updating, appreciating, and asking donors to deepen their partnership with The Salvation Army, including solicitation of gifts

• Execute strategy through phone, email, and USPS communication. Face-to-face communication is possible on a limited number of accounts that qualify at the highest level within the tier

• Capture new information for entry into the donor's database record regarding donor's interests, relationships, life events, and information about capacity for philanthropic giving

• Learn and stay current about Salvation Army programs and projects and effectively communicates the mission to donors

• Identify triggers regarding high capacity potential for referral to Donor Relations Directors

• Conduct oneself in a professional, friendly, and truthful manner to donors

• Work collaboratively with the Donor Relations Directors to identify major gift donor prospects among the Tier-C donors and help steward donors who have reached their maximum giving potential

• Engage with front-line fundraisers to assess the need for materials that 'tell the programmatic story' of Salvation Army service as a means to encourage giving; develop collateral to align with donor/prospects interests

• Assist with logistics related to William Booth Society and the Bed & Bread Club

• Coordinate with other team members and volunteers and work within budget to implement touch points and events

• Demonstrate the ability to respond with urgency to the needs and requests of others, internally and externally, and ensure a high degree of responsiveness to all donors without regard to giving level

• Solicit and secure minimum of $100,000

Time Distribution of Responsibilities:

40% Fundraising portfolio and moves management

40% Daily donor recognition, proof of performance and cultivation

15% Data recording, reporting and analysis

5% Professional development

Other Functions: Performs other related duties as assigned by Senior Donor Relations Director, Executive or Senior Director of Development.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree; relevant experience in lieu of degree will be considered

Experience: Minimum of five years of experience in a non-profit fundraising role with a proven track record of major gifts success

Certifications/Licenses: None

Skills/Abilities:

• Effective interpersonal, conversational and presentation skills, demonstrating emotional intelligence, situational awareness, excellent writing abilities and strong case development and pitching skills

• Ability to embrace, support and reflect well on The Salvation Army's mission and values through one's professional responsibilities and behavior at all times

• 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

• Ability to problem solve, think strategically and creatively, and take initiative with good follow through.

• Possess a high level of comfort with direct donor interaction is a must, including discussions of personal and family finances and asking for major financial commitments

• Function as a team player, able to check ego at the door, with an ability to collaborate effectively with officers, staff and volunteers for successful achievement of position and department goals

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly

• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment without extensive admin support. Must be highly organized and able to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities with professionalism and grace. Must keep good documentation through contact reports and activity tracking, according to Salvation Army protocols.

• Demonstrated orientation to achieving goals, with a drive to achieve agreed upon goals within agreed upon timeframes.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Physical Requirements: The position requires sitting; climbing and/or balancing; stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching, crouching and/or crawling; standing; walking; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; use of vision; driving a vehicle; pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying 25 pounds; traveling by airplane; both outdoor and indoor navigation of settings, and standing and/or walking up to 12 hours per day. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this job.

Mental Demands:

• Work under stressful conditions

• Interact with others with courtesy and tact

• Manage and prioritize multiple projects in an organized and efficient manner to meet tight deadlines

• Respond to crisis situations in a calm and effective manner

• Complete projects on schedule

• Maintain confidentiality

• Maintain regular and punctual work attendance

Communication Demands:

The position requires: Professionally communicating verbally with co-workers, other departments and program staff, clients, vendors, donors, volunteers, board members, philanthropic decision-makers, and officers; written communication; talking on the telephone; responding to written or verbal requests; training/giving verbal and written instructions; receiving verbal and written instructions; writing/composing written language; reading; visiting/working at other worksites and non-worksite locations; communication via the latest technologies.

Travel: Occasional travel up to 1 week/month

Driving: Yes. Must possess a valid driver's license from the state of residences. Must be approved through The Salvation Army Fleet Safety Program to drive either a Salvation Army or personal vehicle on Salvation Army business.

Working Conditions: Daily work is performed in a typical office environment; may require some weekend and evening work. Event work may include hotels, indoor/outdoor venues, Corps Community Centers, and other public venues.

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

The Salvation Army Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back to work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.