Director of Donor Engagement
About The Position
Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization founded in 1981. It provides food, nutrition education, and innovative programs to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. The organization serves 200,000 people each month through 330 partners across 27 counties in Missouri and Illinois, combining immediate food assistance and supportive services with long-term solutions and systemic change. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Donor Engagement is a fundraiser and key leader in annual, legacy, and special project fundraising. The role focuses on individual donors throughout the giving cycle, learning their passions and motivations and tailoring donor interactions accordingly. The Director will have one direct report, a Donor Engagement Manager, expected to be hired in mid-2027.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree.
- Five to seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
- Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, stewardship, and relationship-building.
- Experience working specifically with individual donors and key volunteers.
- Passion for Operation Food Search's hunger relief mission.
- Goal- and data-focused, energetic professional with a track record of building strong donor relationships.
- Excellent communication skills and a drive to consistently exceed donor expectations.
- Ability to develop strong working relationships across the organization, cultivate collaboration, and enhance team effectiveness.
- Strong computer skills with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
- Knowledge of CRM systems such as DonorPerfect or Blackbaud.
- Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced nonprofit environment.
- Occasional travel for meetings, events, and conferences.
- Flexibility to work occasional after-hours or weekend activities for special events.
- Willingness to cover other Operation Food Search duties outside regular job responsibilities.
Responsibilities
- Grow a donor portfolio through identification, qualification, cultivation, and stewardship.
- Develop donor strategies that consider both the organization's longevity and donors' immediate intentions, integrating planned, endowment, and long-term stewardship plans into solicitation and cultivation.
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Operation Food Search programs and funding priorities.
- Record donor interactions, relationships, and other relevant information in the CRM.
- Conduct or coordinate prospect research to develop strategies for engaging individual donors.
- Lead donor cultivation and stewardship events as needed.
- Create donor affinity groups and engage them in the organization's mission.
- Lead engagement with third parties conducting fundraising on behalf of Operation Food Search.
- Partner with the Chief Development Officer to expand legacy giving through creative stewardship strategies, marketing, and resulting data findings.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- HRA, HSA, and FSA
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays and birthday
- Short- and long-term disability income
- Company-paid term life and AD&D insurance
- Voluntary employee-paid term life and AD&D insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Wellness support
- Potential for student loan forgiveness, if qualified
- Potential for Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
