Manager - Donor Engagement, Growth, and Stewardship

CURE Epilepsy•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

CURE Epilepsy is a parent-founded nonprofit dedicated to funding research to find a cure for epilepsy. Epilepsy is a significant neurological disorder affecting many Americans, with a substantial portion of individuals not responding to medication or experiencing challenging side effects. Since 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised over $100 million to advance research and initiatives aimed at discovering cures. The organization believes research is the most promising path to freedom from seizures and medication side effects for those with epilepsy. The Manager of Donor Engagement, Growth, and Stewardship will develop and implement data-driven strategies to enhance donor engagement, improve retention, and increase individual philanthropic support (up to $10,000 annually). This role involves collaboration across fundraising, communications, and programs, utilizing CRM and other fundraising technologies to analyze donor behavior, identify growth opportunities, and guide donors through their philanthropic journey. Key responsibilities include creating compelling donor communications, stewardship initiatives, annual fundraising appeals, digital giving campaigns, and memorial/tribute giving programs. Success requires strategic thinking, analytical skills, and strong storytelling to ensure donors receive relevant and inspiring communications that foster engagement, loyalty, and long-term giving.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of 3-5 years of progressively responsible fundraising, annual giving, and donor engagement experience.
A genuine enthusiasm for CURE Epilepsy’s mission and the ability to promote and communicate the philosophy, values, and impact of the organization to external and internal stakeholders.
Experience utilizing CRM systems (Blackbaud), fundraising databases, and reporting tools to drive fundraising decisions.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Experience writing donor-centered fundraising appeals and stewardship communications.
Strong project management, organizational, and collaboration skills.
Self-starter with ability to handle concurrent projects and creatively solve problems.
Data literacy
Use data for decision-making
Perform measurement and impact of initiatives
Ability to translate data into action
Create donor journey development
Conduct donor segmentation and targeting
Understand audience insights and personalization
Develop retention and reactivation strategies
Content creation
Craft compelling stories
Translate science for lay audiences
Develop personalized communications
Technology proficiency
Possess CRM expertise (Blackbaud preferred)
Manage digital fundraising platforms
Utilize project management tools (e.g., Monday.com)

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of healthcare, medical research, scientific, or mission-driven nonprofit communications preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and execute targeted engagement and stewardship strategies for donors contributing up to $10,000 annually to build lasting relationships.
Create donor journeys that support movement from first-time donor to recurring supporter and future major gift prospect.
Ensure timely and meaningful donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship activities.
Write and edit compelling donor-facing content, using multiple media channels including appeals, stewardship, communications, impact stories, campaign materials, and fundraising emails.
Serve as primary strategist for donor segmentation, fundraising analytics, and performance measurement within the annual giving program.
Analyze donor trends, campaign performance, retention rates, and engagement metrics to identify opportunities for growth.
Create unique messaging for donor segments based on their behavior, demographics, and interests, deepening relationships by connecting donors with other fundraising and educational content/programming.
Leverage emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance content development, audience segmentation, and fundraising effectiveness.
Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy to increase donor acquisition, retention, reactivation, and revenue growth.
Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of all annual fundraising appeals (email, digital, direct mail, day-of-giving, and multichannel campaigns).
Oversee all memorial and tribute giving programs and communications.
Develop stewardship processes that appropriately recognize honorees, families, and donors.
Identify opportunities to deepen engagement with tribute and memorial donors and convert one-time gifts into ongoing support.
Performs other duties as assigned.