Donor Relations Manager

Gulf of Maine Research Institute•Portland, ME

3d•$65,000 - $73,000

About The Position

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org. The Donor Relations Manager (DRM) creates and implements plans to cultivate donors capable of making major gifts and/or planned gifts to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). They conduct meetings with donors and prospects to cultivate relationships, solicit gifts, and deepen engagement with GMRI. The DRM provides ongoing opportunities for contact with new and current donors and plays a critical role in elevating donors into major, principal, and planned gift cultivation strategies in collaboration with senior fundraisers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience or an equivalent combination.
Major gift and direct fundraising experience.
Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
Demonstrated ability to manage and track multiple prospects and donors.
Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.
Demonstrated success working with cross-functional teams.
Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Asana, and Slack.

Nice To Haves

Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping GMRI meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with GMRI’s work.
Capacity to implement and manage fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.
Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to work with various stakeholders (both internal and external) at all organizational levels.
Knowledge of fundamentals and current trends in charitable giving in the areas of capital and/or comprehensive campaigns, major gifts, or planned giving.
Strong negotiating and organizational skills.
Strong analytical, planning/time-management, and organizational skills.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Sensitivity, discretion, understanding, and experience working with confidential information.
Strong work ethic and impeccable attention to detail.
A commitment to working in a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
Manage a portfolio of 125-175 individual donors with the capacity to make a gift up to $50,000, once the portfolio is developed and will be responsible for 125–175 visits and 375–525 moves annually.
Partner with senior fundraising staff and advancement services to identify key prospect pools and set cultivation strategies to persuasively convey the mission and impact of GMRI.
Manage several concurrent fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, while achieving fundraising goals, meeting deadlines, and demonstrating accountability, all while contributing to shared team objectives and fostering a collaborative team culture.
Ensure donor intent is honored in programmatic commitments and collaborate with Advancement Services to manage communications internal stakeholders as needed.
Financial responsibilities include meeting fundraising objectives and may include negotiating and/or contracting with vendors or supporting budget development.
May manage or participate in complex or sensitive negotiations during solicitation process.
Act with autonomy and exercise independent judgement to identify and execute solutions.
Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
Travel frequently, work long and flexible hours as needed.