Donor Relations Manager

The Nature Conservancy•Minneapolis, MN

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Donor Relations Manager (DRM), you will be responsible for planning and implementing fundraising activities for the ongoing cultivation of donors capable of major and/or deferred gifts to support TNC’s One Future: Together We Find a Way campaign. In this role, you will conduct exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity and inclination for giving. You will foster relationships with donors on a professional and personal level, and also provide ongoing opportunities for contact with past, current, and prospective donors. As our DRM, you will be responsible for the qualification of major gift prospects through our donor discovery process. Through this process, you will eventually build and manage a qualified major gift portfolio of 75 – 125 donors with the capacity to make a gift up to $50,000 and be expected to achieve an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications. You will additionally assist in qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual, foundation, and corporate donors through meetings, field trips, events, and other activities. You will work on a variety of activities including providing detailed program information to prospects and drafting personalized correspondence and acknowledgments. You will use TNC’s donor database to update information and track activity related to donors. You will also be responsible for 75 – 125 visits, and 225 – 375 moves annually. The preferred work location is within the Twin Cities of Minnesota, with a hybrid schedule (2 days in our Minneapolis office and 3 days remote.) You will travel locally for donor visits on a weekly basis, travel once a quarter across the three states, and travel for annual training opportunities. The position allows for some flexible hours to better encourage a healthy work-life balance. The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain. This is a term-limited position with funding secured through June 2031 with possibility to extend beyond 2031 dependent on budget and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
Major gift and direct fundraising experience.
Managing a qualified major gift portfolio of at least 75 donors.
Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.
Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
Experience working across departments.
Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
A valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

If you’re looking for a career with purpose and the opportunity to make positive change, we encourage you to apply to be a part of the exciting work happening in the Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota chapter.
Contribute to The Nature Conservancy's global conservation goals by building meaningful donor relationships.
Passionate and motivated fundraising professional who can deliver on program goals, and use tact and diplomacy to strengthen relationships across the organization and with partners.
Thrive in an environment that prioritizes safety and where they can contribute to TNC’s culture of community and engagement.

Responsibilities

Planning and implementing fundraising activities for the ongoing cultivation of donors capable of major and/or deferred gifts.
Conducting exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity and inclination for giving.
Fostering relationships with donors on a professional and personal level.
Providing ongoing opportunities for contact with past, current, and prospective donors.
Qualifying major gift prospects through our donor discovery process.
Building and managing a qualified major gift portfolio of 75 – 125 donors with the capacity to make a gift up to $50,000.
Achieving an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
Assisting in qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual, foundation, and corporate donors through meetings, field trips, events, and other activities.
Providing detailed program information to prospects and drafting personalized correspondence and acknowledgments.
Using TNC’s donor database to update information and track activity related to donors.
Responsible for 75 – 125 visits, and 225 – 375 moves annually.