Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-DC) Washington, DC Metro Area Chapter
Donor Relations Manager
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-DC) Washington, DC Metro Area Chapter, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Donor Relations Manager
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $110,000 – $125,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Nov 20, 2025
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB) is seeking a Donor Relations Manager to play a key role in supporting and advancing the organization’s annual and strategic philanthropic goals. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this position will be integral to the effective identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects. The Donor Relations Manager will serve as the lead persuasive writer and editor for all development communications, including solicitations, newsletters, and web-based appeals, in coordination with the Director of Communications. The role also involves strengthening relationships with donors and prospects through stewardship and cultivation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Working with the Chief Development Officer to create a comprehensive donor relations program that supports the cultivation, recognition, and stewardship of donors and prospects.
Facilitating ongoing stewardship and donor relations, including high‑quality individualized experiences for top donors and prospects, acknowledgment letters, gift‑fund management, and impact reporting.
Monitoring “in‑the‑door” funds, including checks, wire, stock, and online donations.
Creating and implementing an innovative stewardship program that includes receipts, events, and acknowledgments.
Working with gift officers and leadership to identify unique and meaningful expressions of gratitude for all assigned donors.
Establishing an efficient acknowledgement process to express gratitude to all donors.
Collaborating across the organization to prioritize donor cultivation, retention, growth, engagement, and satisfaction.
Being accountable for cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations with a focus on retention, recapture, and growth.
Collaborating with finance and marketing teams to design and implement stewardship policies and procedures related to donor recognition and gift‑fund management and reporting.
Responding to donor requests for information regarding giving processes, procedures, and opportunities, including tax receipts and thank‑you letters.
Creating and implementing a robust donor relations program with multiple points of engagement for prospects.
Working closely with leadership and frontline development staff to leverage high‑level donors in creating sophisticated, intimate events that attract new prospects.
Coordinating with attorneys, leadership, and program leaders on engagement events and projects.
Becoming immersed in the key strategies and initiatives of LDB.
In coordination with the Director of Communications, producing annual giving communications such as direct mail, print and e‑newsletters, annual reports, case statements, brochures, days of giving marketing, and other materials to build relationships.
Integrating development communications with other organizational communication efforts, including web and social media presence, annual reports, and a new monthly e‑newsletter.
Researching, developing, and writing funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required.
Developing and maintaining an events timeline with goal targets, benchmarks, actual results, deadlines, and follow‑up plans.
Working with the Database Associate to maintain accurate and timely records using data management and reporting systems and following LDB policies and procedures.
Working with the Database Associate to generate reports and provide analysis that measures the impact of annual giving, alumni relations, and stewardship programming.
Meeting or exceeding metrics for events, meetings, and outreach as determined by the Chief Development Officer.
Managing the budget for events as assigned by the Chief Development Officer.
Staying informed of innovative ideas and best practices.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree required with 7+ years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, development, communications, marketing, or similar work.
Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent verbal, written, and proof‑reading skills with exacting attention to detail.
Evidence of understanding and ability to articulate the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization, along with sound judgment necessary for interacting with donors, prospects, board members, leadership, and staff.
Confidence to reach out and speak to potential donors in person or on the telephone.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting continuous deadlines.
Experience with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising.
Proven ability working with database software, spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel), graphing and charting software, word processing software (e.g., Word), and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint).
Proficiency with a donor database, preferably Virtuous.
Strong knowledge of fundraising and stewardship best practices.
Demonstrated respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and ability to foster relationships with current and potential donors.
Work Schedule Location: Washington, DC with a 3/2 hybrid work schedule.
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Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $110,000 – $125,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Nov 20, 2025
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB) is seeking a Donor Relations Manager to play a key role in supporting and advancing the organization’s annual and strategic philanthropic goals. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this position will be integral to the effective identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects. The Donor Relations Manager will serve as the lead persuasive writer and editor for all development communications, including solicitations, newsletters, and web-based appeals, in coordination with the Director of Communications. The role also involves strengthening relationships with donors and prospects through stewardship and cultivation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Working with the Chief Development Officer to create a comprehensive donor relations program that supports the cultivation, recognition, and stewardship of donors and prospects.
Facilitating ongoing stewardship and donor relations, including high‑quality individualized experiences for top donors and prospects, acknowledgment letters, gift‑fund management, and impact reporting.
Monitoring “in‑the‑door” funds, including checks, wire, stock, and online donations.
Creating and implementing an innovative stewardship program that includes receipts, events, and acknowledgments.
Working with gift officers and leadership to identify unique and meaningful expressions of gratitude for all assigned donors.
Establishing an efficient acknowledgement process to express gratitude to all donors.
Collaborating across the organization to prioritize donor cultivation, retention, growth, engagement, and satisfaction.
Being accountable for cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations with a focus on retention, recapture, and growth.
Collaborating with finance and marketing teams to design and implement stewardship policies and procedures related to donor recognition and gift‑fund management and reporting.
Responding to donor requests for information regarding giving processes, procedures, and opportunities, including tax receipts and thank‑you letters.
Creating and implementing a robust donor relations program with multiple points of engagement for prospects.
Working closely with leadership and frontline development staff to leverage high‑level donors in creating sophisticated, intimate events that attract new prospects.
Coordinating with attorneys, leadership, and program leaders on engagement events and projects.
Becoming immersed in the key strategies and initiatives of LDB.
In coordination with the Director of Communications, producing annual giving communications such as direct mail, print and e‑newsletters, annual reports, case statements, brochures, days of giving marketing, and other materials to build relationships.
Integrating development communications with other organizational communication efforts, including web and social media presence, annual reports, and a new monthly e‑newsletter.
Researching, developing, and writing funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required.
Developing and maintaining an events timeline with goal targets, benchmarks, actual results, deadlines, and follow‑up plans.
Working with the Database Associate to maintain accurate and timely records using data management and reporting systems and following LDB policies and procedures.
Working with the Database Associate to generate reports and provide analysis that measures the impact of annual giving, alumni relations, and stewardship programming.
Meeting or exceeding metrics for events, meetings, and outreach as determined by the Chief Development Officer.
Managing the budget for events as assigned by the Chief Development Officer.
Staying informed of innovative ideas and best practices.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree required with 7+ years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, development, communications, marketing, or similar work.
Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent verbal, written, and proof‑reading skills with exacting attention to detail.
Evidence of understanding and ability to articulate the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization, along with sound judgment necessary for interacting with donors, prospects, board members, leadership, and staff.
Confidence to reach out and speak to potential donors in person or on the telephone.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting continuous deadlines.
Experience with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising.
Proven ability working with database software, spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel), graphing and charting software, word processing software (e.g., Word), and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint).
Proficiency with a donor database, preferably Virtuous.
Strong knowledge of fundraising and stewardship best practices.
Demonstrated respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and ability to foster relationships with current and potential donors.
Work Schedule Location: Washington, DC with a 3/2 hybrid work schedule.
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