Donor Services Manager

EASTERSEALS CENTRAL ILLINOIS•Peoria, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Lead the systems and relationships that make our mission possible. At Easterseals Central Illinois, the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community partners helps make life-changing services possible for children and families across our region. The Donor Services Manager plays a key role in ensuring those relationships are supported through accurate gift processing, thoughtful donor stewardship, reliable fundraising data, and effective Development operations. This position serves as a technical and operational leader within the Development Department, overseeing our donor database and fundraising systems while supporting campaigns, special events, stewardship, and endowment-building activities. The Donor Services Manager also provides leadership to Development Department staff, helping build a team that is organized, knowledgeable, and equipped to support our fundraising efforts. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it has a direct impact on our ability to fulfill our mission. Every donation entered, acknowledgment sent, report generated, and donor record maintained helps strengthen the relationships and resources that allow Easterseals programs and services to thrive. Easterseals Central Illinois provides pediatric therapy, education, and family support services for children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special needs. With the support of our generous donors and community partners, we are able to expand access to life-changing services that help children reach their fullest potential and strengthen families across Central Illinois. Every gift makes a difference and behind every gift is a system that ensures it is received, recorded, acknowledged, and stewarded with care. The Development team plays a vital role in maintaining those relationships, and the Donor Services Manager helps ensure the systems and processes supporting that work are accurate, efficient, and effective.

Requirements

At least three years of experience managing fundraising software or donor databases, including gift entry, donor acknowledgments, reporting, and donor record management
Maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and understands the importance of data integrity
Enjoys analyzing data and creating reports that help others make informed decisions
Has an understanding of fundraising, philanthropy, donor stewardship, and nonprofit accounting
Communicates professionally and works collaboratively with Development, Accounting, and other departments
Can identify opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, and strengthen data management practices
Has experience hiring, training, supervising, coaching, or developing staff
Can balance independent work with changing priorities, fundraising campaigns, special events, and department needs
A minimum of three years of successful fundraising software management experience, including gift entry and acknowledgment, report generation and analysis, database management, and donor record management, is required.
Advanced knowledge of principles and strategies in philanthropy and nonprofit accounting.
Working knowledge of personal computers and software (MS Office Suite).

Nice To Haves

Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge is strongly preferred.
A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, technical writing, English, marketing, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent training and experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Manages donor file software, including oversight of gift entry, acknowledgment, donor demographics entry, report generation & analysis.
Reviews system data health annually and recommends/implements updates as necessary to improve performance.
Produces all queries, lists, and reporting to support Development team members and to liaise with Accounting, including special reporting for audit information, etc.
Supports development team fundraising targets through exceptional acknowledgment processes and follows up with donors, including appropriate and timely information regarding agency activities related to the donor’s gift.
Supports donor retention through regular retention reporting and collaboration with Development team members.
Supports Endowment building activities.
Posts and interviews for department positions as they become available.
Provides comprehensive onboarding and training to new staff utilizing the appropriate competencies for each position.
Responsible for the performance management of department staff, including completion of performance evaluations, performance improvement plans, and employee disciplinary reports as needed.
Responsible for the professional development of department staff, including approving continuing education requests and ensuring staff is up-to-date on the latest findings in their fields.
Cross-training of Donor Services Manager/Associate duties to take place on a continuous basis.
Provides support during and following Annual Campaign and Special Event fundraising.
Researches ways to improve efficiencies for current data management processes.
Writes and documents donor pledge forms and contracts, ensuring timely and effective stewardship.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
Vacation time that increases with tenure plus Sick and Personal time
5 Paid Holidays plus a paid Holiday break: both the Peoria Service Center is closed Christmas Eve through New Years Day
Comprehensive Group Health Insurance Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent Care expenses
Employer-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Life and AD&D Coverage options for employee, spouse, and/or children
Supplemental Coverage Options: Short-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Plans
401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for 24/7 confidential support
Exclusive Employee Discounts through PerkSpot and local gym partnerships
Professional Development Annual Professional Development & CEU Allowance
New Employee Referral Bonus
Easterseals qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program