Donor Relations Manager

About Marquis Studios

Marquis Studios is a nonprofit arts and education organization based in New York City, dedicated to enriching learning by bringing arts programs into underserved schools. Through partnerships with local schools and skilled teaching artists, Marquis Studios provides inclusive, creative, and curriculum-aligned art experiences across visual arts, theater, music, dance, and more. Its mission focuses on inspiring lifelong learning and creative expression, with special attention to inclusive programming for students with disabilities and schools in high-need areas.

Founded in 1977, our administrative staff of 11 and roster of over 85 experienced Teaching Artists provide a full spectrum of arts experiences in over 150 schools in all 5 boroughs of NYC. With an annual operating budget of $3.25 million, Marquis Studios directly serves 25,000 children each year.

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to join a growing Development team in a newly-created Donor Relations role. The Donor Relations Manager spearheads donor communication, individual fundraising and Board initiatives. The Donor Relations Manager will develop cultivation and engagement plans for new and existing donors and support the Executive Director in major gift stewardship. Works alongside the Executive Director and Development Manager to create and execute strategic plans for organization fundraising.

Marquis Studios operates on a hybrid schedule of remote and in-person work. This position is based in New York City and requires regular commuting to our administrative office in DUMBO as well as school sites throughout the city.

Responsibilities

Individual Giving

• Design and execute creative donor engagement strategies to significantly increase funding from existing, lapsed, and new individual donors
• Work with the Executive Director to support the solicitation and renewal of mid-level and major gifts, including support of correspondence, meeting briefings, solicitation plans, and cases for support.
• Use sophisticated research techniques to expand the individual giving pipeline and identify viable new funding prospects with clear outreach strategies
• Support moves management of donors and prospects to cultivate and deepen relationships with donors.
• Refine and implement a donor engagement plan and stewardship calendar, ensuring consistent and meaningful donor touchpoints.
• In partnership with the Development team, develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship events as appropriate
  • Designing and execute successful strategies for leveraging these events to identify and cultivate new donors
• Work with Development Manager to ensure Salesforce supports Individual Giving needs

Board Support

• Partner with the Development team to set annual and long term strategies for the development and growth of the Board.
• Support Board members on a one-on-one basis with customized engagement and giving plans.
• Engage members in current giving campaigns and events.
• Schedule and attend school site visits for Board members.
• Identify and cultivate prospective new Board members.

Donor Communications

• Plan and implement donor communications and recognition strategies, with guidance from the Development team and support from the Communications Manager.
• Develop outreach collateral to keep donors apprised of the work their giving supports.
• Manage e-newsletter, including content development, list management, and platform management, with support from the Communications Manager.

Qualifications

• 5- 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record of success in donor moves management, increasing giving levels or frequency
• Proven ability to generate revenue growth; highly motivated to identify new funding opportunities.
• Experience creating personalized cultivation and stewardship plans, developing relationships with donors, and providing outstanding stewardship and customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of development best practices, including using data to make informed decisions, and willingness to learn and stay apprised of industry trends/best practices for fundraising.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines, projects, and tasks and be extremely well-organized and reliable.
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills, resulting in compelling storytelling of work and impact.
• Experience with giving and communications platforms, CRM database and prospect research tools

Marquis Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, immigration or citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital and partnership status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or active military service member or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment policies.