Development and Donor Relations Manager

The Development and Donor Relations Manager is a key member of the Development team responsible for advancing the mission of Easterseals Bluegrass through strategic fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and community relations efforts. This position supports the organization’s philanthropic growth by managing donor cultivation activities, coordinating fundraising campaigns and events, stewardship efforts, and strengthening community partnerships. This role has a strong emphasis on annual giving, donor stewardship, relationship management, and strategic communications to foster long-term philanthropic engagement and community support for the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Annual Giving

• Develop and launch, in partnership with Director, new donor engagement programs to strengthen community connections and diversify the donor pipeline.
• Manage implementation and coordination of Easterseals Bluegrass’ annual giving campaigns.
• Manage and grow recurring giving initiatives.
• Develop donor communications, appeals and campaign materials.
• Track campaign participation, revenue, and retention.
• Identify opportunities to upgrade annual and recurring donors.
• Meet or exceed fundraising metrics as determined by Director and CEO.
• Develop and execute direct mail campaigns to ensure donor appeals are effective with a mission-driven message.

Events

• Manage signature fundraising event logistics, vendors and communications.
• Coordinate invitations, reminders and follow-up.
• Develop post-event stewardship plans.
• Ensure donors receive appropriate recognition and follow-up.
• Secure fundraising event sponsorships.

Donor Stewardship

• Track donor engagement and stewardship activities within the donor database/CRM to support relationship management and moves management strategies.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor stewardship calendar.
• Ensure timely and personalized acknowledgments.
• Execute donor recognition; calls, notes, visits, etc…
• Create impact communications and donor reports.
• Follow stewardship plans based on giving levels and donor interests.

Donor Relations

• Manage relationships with annual and mid-level donors.
• Maintain regular communications with assigned donor portfolios.
• Identify, develop, and expand donor portfolios for increased engagement or major gifts.
• Make recommendations to Director regarding donor movement and cultivation opportunities.

Community Engagement

• Develop relationships with community businesses and smaller corporate partners.
• Manage smaller sponsorship opportunities as delegated by the Director.

Donor Database & Reporting

• Ensure accurate donor records and relationship information.
• Manage segmentation for appeals, stewardship and communications.
• Monitor retention, acquisition, upgrade and recurring-giving metrics.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Development and executive leadership to achieve organizational goals.
• Provide support and guidance for development and communications projects and timelines.
• Collaborate in strategic planning and departmental goal setting.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all donor and organizational interactions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position will supervise the Development and Communications Specialist.