Donor Relations Manager

The Donor Relations Manager is a full-time employee who builds and maintains relationships with current and prospective donors to secure funding for Literacy Network programs. Core functions include cultivating relationships with donors, thanking donors, managing the donor CRM, meeting agency budget goals, and collaborating on agency funding and marketing initiatives.

Working at Literacy Network means:

• Making a difference: The opportunity to support a mission helping adult students achieve their dreams and goals, from Citizenship to GED to family-sustaining jobs!
• Dedicated and supportive co-workers. Literacy Network was voted one of Madison’s Best Places to Work in 2017, 2020 and 2022!
• Work-life balance with generous PTO and a work-from-home bank

Immediate Supervisor: Executive Director

Hours: 36.5 – Full-time; Monday-Friday. Literacy Network offers two scheduled work-from-home (WFH) days per week, as well as an annual WFH bank. This position typically works standard business hours but must have flexibility to work occasional evenings for Literacy Network and community events and to work at peak fundraising times and at year-end.

Pay: $26-$34/hour commensurate with experience. Literacy Network offers health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits and competitive PTO as part of a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Deadline: Monday October 20th at noon

Start Date: Negotiable - late November or early December 2025

To apply: Send resume and cover letter to robin@litnetwork.org

Applications submitted only via LinkedIn, Indeed, or other recruitment sites will not be considered.

Responsibilities:

1.Secure and manage individual and corporate contributions - 75%

• Serve as primary contact for individual donors and planned gift donors
• Provide and implement strategy for communications and engagement with donors and potential donors, including a plan for communication with, and recognition of, major donors
• Research individual donors and prospective donors to develop strategies for gift growth and acquisition
• Administer a timely and relevant gift acknowledgement program
• Administer a monthly donor program
• Administer a planned giving program
• Write and oversee mailing of appeal letters
• Research trends and best practices for individual giving

2.Data management and financial tracking - 10%

• Work with Executive Director and team to create fundraising goals and revenue forecasts
• Monitor revenue for individual and corporate contributions and prepare regular revenue reports for the Board of Directors
• Collect and use quantitative data to analyze the success of Literacy Network fundraising activities
• Manage Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system
• Collaborate with Financial & Administrative Specialist on gift processing and thank you letters
• Serve as back-up for processing gifts

3.Serve on Development & Marketing Staff Team and collaborate with program staff - 5%

• Jointly strategize messaging with the development and marketing team regarding agency funding requests
• Coordinate work plans and strategies with Grants Manager and Marketing & Events Manager
• Work with program staff to learn about agency programs in order to best communicate program impact and student and agency needs
• Periodically update staff on agency fundraising
• Participate, and foster donor participation, in two annual fundraising events

4.Support the Board of Directors and the Development and Marketing Committee - 5%

• Attend monthly Committee meetings
• Identify, recruit, and help onboard Committee and Board members
• Collaborate with the Committee Chair and Marketing & Events Manager in organizing meetings
• Engage Committee and Board members to support donor outreach and relationship building
• Attend Board meetings as requested

5.General Office Duties / Agency Representation - 5%

• Attend staff meetings and collaborative meetings with Literacy Network colleagues
• Engage in professional development opportunities as applicable and as schedule permits
• Act as a representative of Literacy Network, on behalf of our student population and in service to community members seeking information on our programs and your areas of expertise

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for creatively engaging people in Literacy Network’s mission
• At least 2 years’ experience in direct fundraising
• Experience using a fundraising database, Word, and Excel
• Warmth and confidence interacting with various constituencies
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and foster productive relationships with staff, donors, volunteers, and community
• Excellent written communication, research, digital, and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Adaptability to change, following timelines, and meeting deadlines
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Interest in working with adults from diverse backgrounds

The Donor Relations Manager will be a self-motivated, personable, flexible, and organized individual who is able to work well under pressure and is adept at managing multiple projects. The manager will have good judgment, the ability to connect genuinely with others, and, ideally, a sense of humor. This person will also demonstrate a passion and a commitment to community education, and to building connections among the Literacy Network learning community and the greater Dane County community.

This position description offers guidelines for the employee; however, it does not limit the scope of the position, nor does it limit opportunities for expansion of the duties and responsibilities.

Literacy Network offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and an attractive benefits package. Literacy Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strongly believes it benefits from the perspectives and talents of a racially and culturally diverse staff.

Literacy Network offers health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits and competitive PTO as part of a comprehensive benefits package.