Donor Relations Manager

LOCATION:              Business Offices, 610 Academy Drive

REPORTS TO:        Director of Development

JOB CLASS:            Full-time / Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Donor Relations Manager has previous nonprofit experience in a fundraising capacity. They understand the need for a strong donor base for support and is skilled in building relationships with donors as part of an annual giving program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build relationships with new, current and lapsed donors to renew their commitment to Keshet; develop and implement plans for engaging, soliciting, and stewarding lower and mid-level donors.
• Document and maintain clear and timely records and call reports to track contacts, donor giving, notes, and assist in the maintenance of an accurate database.
• Manage all cultivation and stewardship and stewardship of a portfolio of both individual and corporate donors and prospects; maintaining confidentiality.
• Work closely with the development team to build a prospect portfolio and ensure the flow of prospects into the giving pipeline, from identification through solicitation.
• Support the efforts of volunteer committees to identify and solicit prospects, with a specific focus on the annual banquet, family committee/family campaign and smaller cultivation events.
• The manager will work closely with the Director of Development on logistics and oversight of an annual comprehensive event fundraising program that incorporates in-kind, volunteer, and sponsorship support to ensure financial goals of the organization are met on an annual basis.
• Implement and oversee all the functions of fundraising event productions.
• Work with Director of Development to be a liaison for the Leadership Council to create a giving program targeting the support of the younger friends of Keshet.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of fundraising experience
• Solid background and demonstrated competence in fund development, specials events and donor solicitation and cultivation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor databases, preferably DonorPerfect
• Experience with special events including but not limited to galas, banquets and 3rd party events.
• Working knowledge of the Chicago philanthropic landscape
• A passion for Keshet’s mission
• Positive energy and a strong work ethic
• The ability to manage multiple projects at any given time while paying keen attention to detail

• Strong writing and presentation skills; ability to communicate to diverse audiences while tailoring messages to each audience
• New hires need to be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination or provide documentation for an ADA or religious exemption and participate in weekly COVID testing.

ABOUT KESHET

Keshet is a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, residential, social, and vocational activities for 600 people with disabilities each year. From the very start, Keshet has grown alongside our participants, creating a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live, and grow together. 

Today, Keshet continues to flourish, with over 75 programs in the Chicago and Wisconsin area, four residential homes, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, and thousands of engaged donors around the world. Nurtured by respect, creativity, tenacity and unconditional love, Keshet makes a powerful difference in the lives of each child and adult with disabilities, their families, the community and beyond.