Donor Relations Director

Overview

Make a Direct Impact Through Major Gift Fundraising

The Salvation Army New Jersey Division is seeking a Donor Relations Director to serve as a frontline major gift fundraiser, responsible for building meaningful donor relationships and securing transformative philanthropic investments.

This role is ideal for a fundraiser who is energized by engaging donors directly, leading conversations about philanthropy, and confidently asking for major gifts.

The Role

The Donor Relations Director (DRD) manages a portfolio of approximately 125-150 major donors and prospects, with focus on securing gifts of $10,000 to $25,000+. The DRD will manage and grow a portfolio of $1M+.

You will:

• Initiate and lead donor relationships from qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Develop and execute moves management strategies for each assigned donor
• Conduct face-to-face visits, discovery conversations, and solicitations
• Align donor passions with high impact funding opportunities across The Salvation Army's work

This is not a behind-the-scenes role - success requires a professional who is comfortable in the field, proactive in outreach, and confident in asking for gifts.

Responsibilities

The duties listed below are the primary duties of this position but are not all the required duties. The Salvation Army reserves the right to change, reduce or expand the duties of this position at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

What You'll Do - Frontline Fundraising

• Own a portfolio of major donors, actively managing qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Conduct regular in-person and virtual donor visits
• Develop and present compelling fundraising proposals
• Personally solicit gifts and guide donors through investment decisions
• Build long-term philanthropic relationships that grow investments and portfolio over time

Moves Management Strategy

• Create and execute individualized donor engagement plans
• Track all activity in CRM and maintain disciplined follow-up
• Partner with colleagues to refine strategies and move donors forward

Donor Engagement & Experience

• Coordinate site visits, briefings and mission experiences
• Design meaningful touchpoints that deepen connection and impact
• Deliver an exceptional, personalized donor experience

Qualifications

What We're Looking For - Required Experience

• Minimum 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising, with a demonstrated track record of securing major gifts from individual donors
• Proven success managing a portfolio of 125-150 donors and closing gifts at the $10K+ level
• Experience using moves management systems to drive results

Critical Competencies

We are specifically seeking candidates who:

• Are comfortable initiating donor conversations - including with new prospects
• Can lead discovery conversations about capacity, interests, and giving motivation
• Are confident and skilled in asking for financial commitments
• Have strong executive presence and can engage high-capacity donors effectively
• Bring a goal-oriented, proactive approach to relationship management

This role requires a high level of comfort with direct fundraising and solicitation. It is best suited for professionals who enjoy and excel at asking for gifts. This position requires local travel across the state of New Jersey

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (CFRE preferred)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate across teams and with volunteer leadership
• Valid driver's license is required
• Extensive local travel is required
• Access to a reliable vehicle is essential
• Willingness to work flexible hours is required