The Donor Relations Specialist is a member of the Development team and is responsible for carrying out Bethesda Project’s mission through fundraising data management, donor stewardship and relationship building.
Reports to Director of Development
Major Responsibilities
Identify, investigate, analyze, organize, and evaluate information using donor software (Raiser’s Edge), to determine a donor prospect’s capacity to give, philanthropic interests and relationship to Bethesda Project; provide recommendations, strategy, and data for major gifts campaign; identify donor trends and preferences and update database accordingly.
Ensure that calls and stewardship contacts, and information gathered are recorded in the donor’s data record.
Plan a variety of donor appreciation and stewardship activities in conjunction with the Development team; create and maintain annual calendar of donor stewardship and outreach touch points; and facilitate the planning of and logistical support for fundraising and stewardship events.
Skills/Educational Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required
Advanced proficiency in Raiser’s Edge database
Minimum of 3 years of prior donor relations experience. Knowledge of fundraising, prospect research and donor relations is required
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Must be able to comfortably interact with diverse audiences and stakeholder groups
Candidate should be a self-starter, possess the ability to understand constituent’s motivations, expectations, goals, and nurture relationships over time to create lasting bonds
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including writing, proofreading, and copy editing, with the ability to articulate Bethesda Project’s mission with energy, passion, and commitment
Intermediate computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office
Ability to develop timelines and meet deadlines while handling multiple projects concurrently
Excellent organizational skills with precise attention to detail
Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships
Physical Requirements
Ability and willingness to travel, as needed; requires repetitive movement of hands and fingers for typing and/or writing. Ability to communicate and exchange information. Frequent standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching and lifting up to 35lbs. Ability to reach with hands and arms and perform audio and visual assessments, as required.