Development Manager - Individual Giving

Position Overview

KickStart International has helped over 1.6 million people across sub-Saharan Africa take a

major step out of poverty - and we're looking for a Development Manager to help us reach

millions more. This role is central to KickStart's individual giving strategy, encompassing

prospect research, donor cultivation and stewardship, management of our donor database

and recurring giving program, and coordination of donor engagement activities and events.

The Development Manager will report to the Chief of Staff and work closely with the

leadership and colleagues across the organization to deepen relationships with current

individual supporters and build a pipeline of new donors aligned with KickStart's mission.

About KickStart International

KickStart International is an award-winning nonprofit social enterprise with an ambitious

mission to empower millions of smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa to climb

out of poverty. Our organization designs and distributes low-cost irrigation tools and trains

vulnerable smallholder farmers in profitable irrigated farming, enabling them to grow,

harvest and sell high value crops year-round and to adapt to climate change. With our

headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, we work in 17 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive prospect research to identify potential major and mid-level

donors, building detailed biographical profiles and to inform cultivation strategies

• Support the Chief of Staff and CEO in cultivating and stewarding relationships with

individual donors, including coordinating communications, scheduling meetings,

and preparing briefing materials

• Manage and expand the Evergreen Circle, our recurring giving program, including

donor acquisition, retention, and communications

• Support the Chief of Staff and leadership in planning and coordinating donor

engagement activities and events such as house parties and donor trips to deepen

relationships with current supporters and attract prospective donors

• Compose compelling and informative, customized emails to individual donors to

further their commitment and engagement

• Ensure prompt and appropriate acknowledgment of all gifts, maintaining best

practices in donor stewardship and recognition

• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of KickStart's donor database (Bloomerang)

including data entry and generating reports for fundraising planning, goal-tracking,

and analysis

• Provide support as required to the development team, leadership, and the Board of

Directors including scheduling meetings, finalizing quarterly board reports, etc

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated

success in individual giving, donor cultivation, or development operations

• Experience conducting prospect research and utilizing research tools to identify and

assess donor capacity and interests

• Strong written communication skills with the ability to craft compelling donor-facing

materials that inspire engagement and support

• Proficiency with donor database systems (Bloomerang or similar CRM platforms)

and ability to generate reports and analyze fundraising data

• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple

projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines

• Strong interpersonal skills, including discretion, cultural competence, and ability to

build relationships with diverse supporters

• Self-starter with entrepreneurial mindset who brings creative ideas and solutions to

advance fundraising goals, including demonstrated ability leveraging AI and

technology tools to increase efficiency and impact

• A passion for international development and making a difference in the lives of

smallholder farmers in Africa

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; equivalent professional experience will be

considered.

This is a full-time remote position open to candidates residing in the United States with legal

authorization to work in the US. The role involves periodic travel, including a possible onboarding

trip to San Francisco, an annual team meeting in New York City, a possible visit to KickStart's

headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and occasional additional travel to support donor engagement

activities and events.

To Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to info@kickstart.org detailing your

relevant experience and interest in the role.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, pharmacy, and dental insurance

English required