The Salvation Army Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division
Senior Donor Relations Director
The Salvation Army Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53244
Senior Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Strategist / Human Resources Business Partner
Join a Mission-Driven Movement with The Salvation Army!
Position:
Senior Donor Relations Director
At The Salvation Army, our work is more than a job—it’s a calling. As part of an international movement rooted in Christian values, we serve communities in need without discrimination. As
Senior Donor Relations Director
for The Salvation Army, you’ll guide a passionate team of fundraisers and build lasting relationships with generous individuals who believe in Doing the Most Good!
If you’re a strategic relationship‑builder with a heart for service and a proven record of inspiring major gifts, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
What You’ll Do The Senior Donor Relations Director plays an integral role in the success of the Division’s fund development efforts, specifically through ongoing and proactive relationship management, strategic communications, written plans, gift cultivation, and solicitation activity with an assigned caseload of qualified major donors.
Provides day‑to‑day leadership to the Major Gifts team (including corporations and foundation grants), including mentoring, supervising, and evaluating staff performance. Serves as point person for all matters pertaining to major gifts.
Promotes a spirit of collaboration among team members and with other development department staff, as well as with local corps and advisory boards/councils. Organizes and leads regular donor review meetings with staff to plan cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation strategies in coordination with the WUM Executive Director of Development and Territorial Director of Major Gifts.
Prepares the annual revenue budget for the major gifts area and monitors actuals to align with budget.
Establishes, manages, and fulfills a caseload communications plan, including individual fundraising goals and personalized strategies, to effectively steward, educate, cultivate, and solicit gifts from major donors each fiscal year, with an emphasis on gifts of $10,000 and higher.
Manages a caseload of 75 qualified major donors and maintains and seeks to engage with an additional prospective donor “watch list” as assigned, following a communications plan that is specific to each donor and prospect and working, as appropriate.
Meets agreed upon monthly and annual activity and income production goals and is purposeful about every visit and communication and the desired outcome for each such “touch.”
Leads in one‑to‑one solicitation, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship communication, establishing and maintaining excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including Army staff and/or volunteer leadership as appropriate.
Supports administrative and logistical functions of the Major Gift Team such as interaction with fundraising and community outreach events assigned by the Executive Director of Development.
Works with prospect research manager at THQ or its designate and local staff who are trained to do research to develop donor profiles to inform “moves management” strategies and planning conversations.
Meets regularly with immediate supervisor and territorial major gifts management or their designate to discuss and refine caseload plans, donor strategies, to track progress, to receive coaching, and to keep open lines of communication.
Participates in recommended professional training, conference calls with other major gifts staff, conference kindred sessions and other professional development opportunities.
Works in close conjunction with other fund development officers, pursuing and contributing to harmonious collaboration between direct marketing, social media, foundation, corporation, and planned giving staff for optimal integrated strategies on major donor communications as well as overall department initiatives.
Works in close collaboration with local officers, program, finance, and fundraising staff to present local Army resource development needs that correspond to where donors and prospects reside, while always being responsive to each donor’s interests and attentive to fiduciary responsibilities.
Works in collaboration with program, finance, development and graphic design/communications, and admin support staff to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities that documents funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, potential/real outcomes, shortfalls, and mission advancement opportunities. Presents these opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with Army service delivery advancement needs.
Supports and contributes to overall territorial policies, business practices, and strategies to continually increase major gifts revenue and program growth (as requested).
Keeps Divisional Development Director or their designate apprised of all significant interactions, consults with Divisional Development Director regarding organizational priorities, to develop strategies that benefit both donor and the Army, and to troubleshoot challenging situations.
Makes effective use of special events and other initiatives to engage with assigned donors to bring them closer to the Army and to deepen their awareness of the impact of the Army’s work, especially in areas of interest to them.
Maintains updated donor files, tracking spreadsheets, correspondence, and gift acknowledgments, in keeping with department policies and procedures. Documents all donor interactions through contact reports and according to established business practices.
Ensures excellent customer service is provided to donors through accessibility to staff and leadership (as granted), timely responsiveness, quality in all interactions and personalized communications.
What You Bring
8+ years
of nonprofit fundraising experience, including
3+ years leading a team .
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, nonprofit management, or related field (CFRE preferred).
Proven success in
securing major gifts ($10K+)
and managing long‑term donor relationships.
Strategic thinker, skilled communicator, and servant leader who thrives in a collaborative environment.
Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and willingness to travel regionally.
Or – Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fundraise.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
Be part of an organization with a long‑standing legacy of service to those in need through a
flexible schedule and generous paid time off
benefits
Holistic benefit package and
competitive pay , including a
403B retirement plan & TSA‑Sponsored Pension Plan
Help drive the future success of a beloved community organization while you
grow professionally – we provide additional support through tuition reimbursement
Work in a
collaborative environment
with a passionate team of individuals
Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 support, resources, and referrals to help you in your work and personal life
The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back‑to‑work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position:
Senior Donor Relations Director
At The Salvation Army, our work is more than a job—it’s a calling. As part of an international movement rooted in Christian values, we serve communities in need without discrimination. As
Senior Donor Relations Director
for The Salvation Army, you’ll guide a passionate team of fundraisers and build lasting relationships with generous individuals who believe in Doing the Most Good!
If you’re a strategic relationship‑builder with a heart for service and a proven record of inspiring major gifts, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
What You’ll Do The Senior Donor Relations Director plays an integral role in the success of the Division’s fund development efforts, specifically through ongoing and proactive relationship management, strategic communications, written plans, gift cultivation, and solicitation activity with an assigned caseload of qualified major donors.
Provides day‑to‑day leadership to the Major Gifts team (including corporations and foundation grants), including mentoring, supervising, and evaluating staff performance. Serves as point person for all matters pertaining to major gifts.
Promotes a spirit of collaboration among team members and with other development department staff, as well as with local corps and advisory boards/councils. Organizes and leads regular donor review meetings with staff to plan cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation strategies in coordination with the WUM Executive Director of Development and Territorial Director of Major Gifts.
Prepares the annual revenue budget for the major gifts area and monitors actuals to align with budget.
Establishes, manages, and fulfills a caseload communications plan, including individual fundraising goals and personalized strategies, to effectively steward, educate, cultivate, and solicit gifts from major donors each fiscal year, with an emphasis on gifts of $10,000 and higher.
Manages a caseload of 75 qualified major donors and maintains and seeks to engage with an additional prospective donor “watch list” as assigned, following a communications plan that is specific to each donor and prospect and working, as appropriate.
Meets agreed upon monthly and annual activity and income production goals and is purposeful about every visit and communication and the desired outcome for each such “touch.”
Leads in one‑to‑one solicitation, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship communication, establishing and maintaining excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including Army staff and/or volunteer leadership as appropriate.
Supports administrative and logistical functions of the Major Gift Team such as interaction with fundraising and community outreach events assigned by the Executive Director of Development.
Works with prospect research manager at THQ or its designate and local staff who are trained to do research to develop donor profiles to inform “moves management” strategies and planning conversations.
Meets regularly with immediate supervisor and territorial major gifts management or their designate to discuss and refine caseload plans, donor strategies, to track progress, to receive coaching, and to keep open lines of communication.
Participates in recommended professional training, conference calls with other major gifts staff, conference kindred sessions and other professional development opportunities.
Works in close conjunction with other fund development officers, pursuing and contributing to harmonious collaboration between direct marketing, social media, foundation, corporation, and planned giving staff for optimal integrated strategies on major donor communications as well as overall department initiatives.
Works in close collaboration with local officers, program, finance, and fundraising staff to present local Army resource development needs that correspond to where donors and prospects reside, while always being responsive to each donor’s interests and attentive to fiduciary responsibilities.
Works in collaboration with program, finance, development and graphic design/communications, and admin support staff to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities that documents funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, potential/real outcomes, shortfalls, and mission advancement opportunities. Presents these opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with Army service delivery advancement needs.
Supports and contributes to overall territorial policies, business practices, and strategies to continually increase major gifts revenue and program growth (as requested).
Keeps Divisional Development Director or their designate apprised of all significant interactions, consults with Divisional Development Director regarding organizational priorities, to develop strategies that benefit both donor and the Army, and to troubleshoot challenging situations.
Makes effective use of special events and other initiatives to engage with assigned donors to bring them closer to the Army and to deepen their awareness of the impact of the Army’s work, especially in areas of interest to them.
Maintains updated donor files, tracking spreadsheets, correspondence, and gift acknowledgments, in keeping with department policies and procedures. Documents all donor interactions through contact reports and according to established business practices.
Ensures excellent customer service is provided to donors through accessibility to staff and leadership (as granted), timely responsiveness, quality in all interactions and personalized communications.
What You Bring
8+ years
of nonprofit fundraising experience, including
3+ years leading a team .
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, nonprofit management, or related field (CFRE preferred).
Proven success in
securing major gifts ($10K+)
and managing long‑term donor relationships.
Strategic thinker, skilled communicator, and servant leader who thrives in a collaborative environment.
Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and willingness to travel regionally.
Or – Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fundraise.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
Be part of an organization with a long‑standing legacy of service to those in need through a
flexible schedule and generous paid time off
benefits
Holistic benefit package and
competitive pay , including a
403B retirement plan & TSA‑Sponsored Pension Plan
Help drive the future success of a beloved community organization while you
grow professionally – we provide additional support through tuition reimbursement
Work in a
collaborative environment
with a passionate team of individuals
Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 support, resources, and referrals to help you in your work and personal life
The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back‑to‑work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr