Donor Relations & Hospitality Specialist
About The Position
The Donor Relations and Hospitality Specialist will serve as a primary point of contact for upper-tier donors before, during, and after performances. This role combines donor relations, hospitality, and relationship-focused sales support to encourage renewals, increase donor engagement, and identify upgrade opportunities. Each Specialist will staff donor lounges during performance nights and donor-focused events, ensuring a consistent, trained, and professional presence that aligns with donor expectations. These positions support Development by providing proactive outreach, personalized communication, and in-person hospitality that reinforces loyalty and long-term giving.
Requirements
- 4 years in fundraising - specifically with donor relations and donor engagement strongly preferred
- Experience in scheduling and staffing event spaces
- Customer support experience
- Strong writing, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided.
- Candidate must be willing to work onsite.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in sales and/or client relationship-building preferred
Responsibilities
- Donor Communication and Sales Support Conduct proactive outreach including renewal reminders, benefit education, birthday calls, and performance invitations.
- Provide support with benefit access, ticketing questions, and membership-related concerns.
- Apply relationship-based sales techniques to encourage timely renewals and identify opportunities for giving upgrades.
- Maintain detailed notes on donor preferences, engagement history, and previous interactions.
- In-Building Donor Hospitality and Lounge Hosting Staff all Circles lounges and assume responsibility for hosting duties, donor check-in, guest assistance, and in-lounge coordination.
- Provide consistent, polished hospitality in all donor lounges and donor spaces as they reopen or are renamed.
- Ensure each lounge is professionally staffed, service-ready, and reflective of Kennedy Center standards.
- Welcome and assist donors, coordinate group arrangements, and address real-time questions or issues.
- Communicate donor arrivals and relevant details to bartenders, Food and Beverage, Lounge Operations, ushers, and other internal departments.
- Indirect Internal Coordination Maintain indirect communication with Development, Food and Beverage, Lounge Operations, and Protocol through established communication channels.
- Share accurate and timely donor information, visit schedules, and special requests that support internal preparation and coordination.
- Assist Development and Special Events with donor-facing needs during receptions, private functions, and donor activities.
- Donor Retention and Revenue Support Support Development by encouraging on-time renewals and increased engagement with membership benefits.
- Identify patterns of donor enthusiasm that may suggest opportunities for upgraded giving or expanded participation.
- Ensure donor inquiries and concerns receive prompt resolution to support long-term satisfaction and retention.
Benefits
- Staff offers for discount tickets
- Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
- Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
- Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
- Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
- 13 paid holidays per year
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
