Manager of Contributing Members and Major Gifts

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS INC•Denver, CO

8d•$63,244 - $79,055

About The Position

Denver Botanic Gardens is seeking a full-time Manager of Contributing Members and Major Gifts in its Development Department. The position supports the department’s fundraising efforts by developing and executing major and planned giving programs, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for major gifts, contributing memberships, and legacy giving. It also manages donor Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and works collaboratively with Development, IT, and Membership colleagues to maximize their effectiveness and maintain seamless customer-facing applications. The role shares responsibility for fundraising for the Master Development Plan for Chatfield Farms; cultivates, solicits, and stewards major-gift prospects and contributing members; and manages campaign prospect assignments and communications. It oversees planned-giving outreach, Perennial Friends Society engagement, donor acknowledgements, and fulfillment of contributing-member benefits. The position also coordinates CRM updates and migrations, uses database analysis and prospect research to identify donors and improve fundraising and stewardship, and provides departmental leadership at the request of the Director of Development. The position requires regular attendance at the worksite; remote work may be available at management’s discretion for employees in good performance standing. It includes travel of up to 30%, including to remote locations or other Garden sites. The employee must support Denver Botanic Gardens’ mission of connecting people with plants and provide a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented experience to donors, members, and visitors.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree and/or a combination of education and equivalent experience.
At least 6 years of experience in fundraising and donor management.
Experience working in and managing a CRM platform.
Proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills when dealing with the public.
Experience working with donors and prospects in identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Ability to maintain donor confidentiality and accurate donor records, gift documentation, and reporting.
Ability to remain stable under pressure and handle stressful situations.
Flexibility and willingness to modify plans as needed during the day.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Knowledge of CRM platforms and the online giving platform GoFundMePro.
Ability to work overtime as necessary.
Commitment to working safely and cooperating respectfully with colleagues and the public.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to travel up to 30%, including to remote locations or other Garden locations.
Ability to frequently position, transport, and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Ability to occasionally walk or move across large areas, including uneven terrain; remain stationary for long periods; perform repetitive motion; use hands to handle or feel; reach above the head and to ground level; push and pull materials and equipment; and operate a motorized vehicle, including a golf cart.
Ability to perform work involving computer and phone use, verbal and written communication, and the specified close, distance, peripheral, and depth vision and focus adjustment.

Nice To Haves

Salesforce proficiency.
A recognized industry certification such as CFRE.

Responsibilities

Share responsibility with the Director of Development for fundraising for the Master Development Plan for Chatfield Farms.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects for selected major gifts supporting programs and activities across operational sites.
Personally solicit selected prospects, independently or in partnership with volunteers or staff.
Manage the capital campaign prospect list, including assignment and progression through identification, education, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Communicate regularly with staff and volunteers who have campaign responsibilities about prospect management, moves, successes, and next steps.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned individual contributing members.
Work with Development staff, the Membership Department, and the capital campaign on contributing members giving $2,500 and above.
Coordinate fulfillment of contributing membership benefits, including concert benefits, ticketed events, the Plant Sale Preview Party, and garden consultations.
Collaborate with the Annual Giving Manager and membership colleagues to identify members for potential upgrades and develop strategies to increase membership levels.
Solicit and document planned gifts, including bequest intentions, and encourage membership in Perennial Friends.
Manage Perennial Friends Society communications, stewardship, and engagement.
Train appropriate staff on gift batching and approve all gift batches.
Manage timely acknowledgement of all gifts, including personal contacts and written acknowledgements.
Coordinate individual recognition and benefits when appropriate.
Coordinate with IT and database users on migrations to cloud-based platforms, new iterations, updates, conversions, projects, and product upgrades.
Maximize database use for communications and establish and analyze metrics.
Conduct prospect research, identification, and recording.
Use database analysis tools and prospect research techniques to identify prospective donors.
Explore technologies and products that can expand fundraising and stewardship opportunities and improve donor relations engagement.
Maintain a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented demeanor when serving donors, members, and visitors.
Work safely, respectfully, and cooperatively with employees and the public, and represent the Gardens positively.