Analysis Skills, Calendar Management, Campaigns, Communication Skills, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Management, Detail Oriented, Donor Development, Email Marketing, Fundraising, Fundraising Campaign, Investment Management, Lift/Move 20 Pounds, Logistics, Marketing, Microsoft Office, Multitasking, Newsletter, Nonprofit, Operational Strategy, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Physical Demands, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Record Keeping, Reporting Skills, Research Skills, Return on Investment (ROI), Sales Prospecting, Spreadsheets, Stewardship, Storytelling, Sustainability, Systems Administration/Management, Time Management, Videoconferencing, Writing Skills
JOB SUMMARY
The Donor Engagement Manager is a key member of the Development team, responsible for managing donor data systems, implementing annual campaign strategies, tracking campaign performance, and generating reports that inform strategic decision-making. This role also supports stewardship activities that enhance retention rates, coordinates fundraising event logistics, sends mass donor communications, and responds to general donor inquiries. The Donor Engagement Manager will also manage a portfolio with experience in prospect research and managing legacy giving programs a plus.
The ideal candidate is proactive, analytical, and equally comfortable behind a spreadsheet or engaging with donors, volunteers, and senior staff. They bring care, discretion, and strong communication skills to this critical role, helping to strengthen community impact through effective and efficient development operations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Key Engagement Responsibilities
- Donor Stewardship & Retention: Develop and implement comprehensive stewardship plans to ensure donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the mission. This includes overseeing the acknowledgment process (thank-you letters, calls, and recognition) within prompt timelines.
- Portfolio Management: Actively manage a personal portfolio of donors with regular outreach to cultivate relationships and move donors through the giving pipeline.
- Strategic Communications: Draft and edit donor-facing materials, including impact reports, solicitations, newsletters, and briefing materials. Collaborate with marketing team to ensure consistent messaging and storytelling.
- Data & CRM Management: Utilize donor database to track donor interactions, maintain accurate records, and generate reports on fundraising KPIs.
- Prospect Research: Identify new potential donors and conduct research to qualify their capacity and alignment with the organization's goals.
- Legacy Giving: Assist in identifying and cultivating planned giving prospects to help build long-term sustainability.
Key Annual Fund Responsibilities
- Campaign Strategy & Execution: Design and manage the annual calendar of appeals, including year-end giving, spring drives, and "giving days."
- Donor Segmentation: Use CRM data to divide the donor base into groups (e.g., first-time, lapsed, monthly, or mid-level) to send more personalized and effective appeals.
- Monthly/Recurring Giving: Lead the growth and retention of "sustainer" programs, which provide the JCC with predictable, ongoing revenue.
- Pipeline Development: Identify donors from the annual fund who show the potential to become major gift donors and move them toward deeper personal cultivation (effective moves management).
- Analytics & Reporting: Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as donor retention rates, average gift size, and campaign ROI to adjust strategies in real-time.
OTHER DUTIES
- Performs all duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree is required
- 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising operations, or donor engagement
- Proficiency with donor databases (Raiser's Edge or similar CRM required), including queries, reports, and data segmentation
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience creating donor-centric content is a plus
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and pay close attention to detail
- Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating fundraising campaigns or events
- Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret data and apply insights to campaign strategies
- Familiarity with email marketing tools and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
- Comfort interacting with donors and community members with professionalism and discretion
- Proactive
- Ability to use Discretion
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Physical Demands
- Regularly sedentary work
- Regularly communicating effectively in person, over the phone and video-conferencing tools.
- Regularly use hands and fingers.
- Occasional standing, walking, bending and reaching.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 20lbs.
Work Environment
- Primarily an office setting with climate control and lighting.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The JCC of Greater Rochester is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive culture in which staff, members, and community partners can thrive.
EOE Disability/Veteran