Donor Relations Associate

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Chicago, IL

13h•$23 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Donor Relations Associate is responsible for cultivating and managing donors $1,000 + with the intent of identifying donors that qualify for a higher giving amount. This position coordinates the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for Tier-C donors through strategic communications, mission-driven donor experiences, and personalization. They are responsible for overseeing a range of activities that result in donors feeling appreciated, developing a bond for the mission of The Salvation Army and increasing of future gifts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
Three plus years of donor relationship building or related work.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, and savvy in the maintenance of current contact and activity tracking reports.
Knowledge with utilizing CRM solutions such as Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics or similar.
Ability to perform basic math skills.
Valid Driver’s license/MVR clearance.

Nice To Haves

Willing to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
Ability to create proposals and marketing material for donors.
Uses diplomacy and good judgment.
Demonstrated ability to use initiative and be a self starter.
An attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies.
A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in light of changing job situations/priorities.
An ability to work with confidential material.
A communication and management style that exhibits the principles and values of the Army as well as fosters team relationships and effectively communicates information.
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, and exceptional organizational abilities with fluency in managing multiple projects and competing priorities with professionalism and grace.
Drive to make a difference, goal-oriented with a proven ability to achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines.
Prowess in problem-solving, strategic and creative thinking, and taking initiative with consistent and good follow-through.
A “hands-on” knowledge of how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 350 + of giving prospects and donors with a capacity $1,000 and above.
Meet with the Regional Senior Director of Development giving weekly accountability and to discuss strategy and moves to include: 85% Fundraising portfolio and moves management, Daily donor recognition, proof of performance and cultivation, 10% Data recording, reporting and analysis, 5% Professional development.
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 expected for the top 25-30 donors.
Capture new information for entry into the donor’s database record on Salesforce within 24-48 hours after engaging with the donor regarding their interests, relationships, life events, and information about capacity for philanthropic giving.
Learn and stay current about Salvation Army programs and projects and effectively communicate the mission to donors.
Identify triggers regarding high capacity potential for referral to Regional Senior Director of Development.
Conduct oneself in a professional, friendly, and truthful manner to donors.
Cultivate donors toward a planned gift by requesting donors to consider putting The Salvation Army on their will and fostering an introduction to planned giving colleagues.
Work collaboratively with the Regional Senior Director of Development to identify major gift donor prospects among the $5,000+ and help steward donors who have reached their maximum giving potential.
Engage with fellow development colleagues 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.
Promote annual events like the Annual Civic Luncheon, Golf Classic Outing, and the William Booth Society Dinner with all donors.
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.