Donor Relations Manager

Donor Relations Manager

The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency committed to permanently ending homelessness and offering innovative mental health services through ongoing supportive social work.

The Role: Reporting to the Executive Director and working in partnership with the development team, the Donor Relations Manager will play a pivotal role in securing essential financial support from major donors to sustain and expand our impactful programs and services.

Available Positions: 1 Temporary Position

Location: In Person (Burlington Vermont)

Schedule: Full Time (35-40 Hours Weekly)

Serves: Pathways Vermont

Supervised by: Executive Director

Application Requirements:

A Cover Letter and Resume are required with your application.

Responsibilities:

1. Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:

   • Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with major donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations through media resources, networking, and communications best practices.

   • Develop personalized engagement strategies to deepen relationships with existing major donors and secure new supporters.

   • Regularly communicate with major donors through various channels, including meetings, calls, emails, texts, and events, to provide updates on Pathways Vermont's work and impact. Ensure timeliness of thank you phone calls, notes, and letters to donors, special events sponsors, and in-kind donors, with periodical follow-ups.

   • Engage and acquire donors through external meetings, phone calls, and community events. Conduct informational sessions for prospective supporters and serve as a representative within the community to create an affinity for our mission.

   • Fill Pathways donor pipeline, turning interested individuals into supporters to meet our revenue goals.

   • Learn about donors and their interests to apply relevant acknowledgment and recognition strategies to improve donor loyalty. Maintain a strong gift recognition program (phone calls, reaching out, etc.). Keep strong communication with donors on Pathways news, giving opportunities, and upcoming events.

   • Improve retention rate and capacity of new and current donors, applying best practices with donors.

   • Help decrease donor fatigue and implement strategies to recapture lapsed donors.

2. Strategic Fundraising:

   • Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to achieve annual revenue goals from major donors.

   • Collaborate with the development team to integrate major donor cultivation efforts into the overall fundraising strategy.

   • Research and identify new opportunities for major donor engagement and funding sources.

3. Proposal Development:

   • Prepare compelling funding proposals, and donor presentations tailored to major donors' interests and priorities.

   • Work closely with program staff to gather information and data necessary for proposal development and reporting.

4. Event Management:

   • Plan and execute events, including donor receptions, cultivation dinners, and other special events to engage major donors and prospects.

   • Coordinate logistics, invitations, and follow-up activities for donor events.

5. Data Management and Reporting:

   • Maintain accurate records of major donor interactions, donations, and communications in the donor database.

   • Generate regular reports on major donor fundraising activities, progress towards goals, and donor engagement metrics.

6. Attendance at the annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager/HR. Retreats are held on workdays, during normal working hours, and are fully paid.

7. Other Duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred).

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on major donor cultivation and stewardship.

• Proven track record of successfully soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission and impact to diverse audiences.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build authentic relationships with donors, colleagues, and stakeholders.

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Proficiency in donor management software (or willingness and ability to learn).

• Commitment to the mission and values of Pathways Vermont, including a dedication to social justice, equity, and serving marginalized communities.

• Willingness to self-reflect, learn, and practice new ways of being in relationships

• Risk and discomfort tolerance

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Often meeting with persons in the community and/or visiting different businesses

• Statewide travel

• Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery including frequent typing

• Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication

• Extensive reading responsibilities

Compensation:

• Full-time, non-exempt, salary

• 35-40 hours per week, occasional weeknights and weekends as needed

• $40-50k annually (starting pay determined by starting pay matrix)

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• Long Term Disability/Life Insurance

• Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)

• 9 Paid Holidays Annually

• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Employee Wellness Reimbursement Program

• Longevity Recognition Rewards

• Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings including Intentional Peer Support

It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.