Development Fundraising Manager

Organization Overview

Mitzvah Circle [https://mitzvahcircle.org/ ] serves neighbors in need with compassion, dignity, and effectiveness. We help where others leave gaps.

In 2025, Mitzvah Circle served more than 500,000 people, with the help of 4,276 volunteers, 15 full-time staff, and 255 community partners. Over 200 teen ambassadors (high schoolers) are actively, meaningfully involved annually, and over 400 college students have deepened their higher education experiences through formal internships.

Like many legendary things, it all started in a garage (literally). Fifteen years later, Mitzvah Circle’s “forever home” campus in Landsdale is filled with light, love, character, and vigorous volunteers making a difference in the world around them.

Position Summary

The Development Manager is a crucial, new mid-level role responsible for advancing Mitzvah Circle’s fundraising goals, with a primary focus on strengthening and advancing relationships with individual donors. Reporting directly to the Executive Director (ED), this role will be integral to executing a proactive and relationship-centered development strategy. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, collaborative, and mission-focused professional with a desire to potentially grow – given demonstrated success – into the Development Director over time.

Key Responsibilities and Core Job Elements

I. Donor Relationship Management

Top Donor Strategy: In partnership with the Executive Director, strategically manage and advance relationships with the organization's top 200 donors, developing tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.

Proactive Engagement: Proactively engage and deepen relationships with current and prospective major donors through personalized outreach, meetings, and ongoing communication.

Data Management: Maintain exceptional organization and accuracy. Ensure donor plans and touchpoints are logged and tracked in donor database (Little Green Light) in a timely manner.

Pipeline and Portfolio Management: Support the ED in managing the major gifts pipeline and portfolio, ensuring consistent advancement of donors through the development cycle.

II. Storytelling, Public Relations, and Campaigns

Storytelling: Support Executive Director and broader team in messaging framework, strategy, and storytelling focused on advancing the mission of Mitzvah Circle. Advise and support storytelling through print, online, social media, and video production.

Fundraising Campaigns: Design and implement fundraising campaigns and appeals. While major gifts and planned giving are strategic priorities, monthly and annual giving are also fundamentally critical. The ability to oversee monthly and annual giving campaigns – in addition to the major gifts and planned giving work with the Executive Director – is essential.

Media Relations: Support Executive Director and other team members in media relations, public visibility, crisis communications, and PR.

III. Teamwork, Operations, and Events

Organizational Collaboration: Act as a true team player, working honestly, kindly, and collaboratively with peers (Volunteer Manager, Private Grants Manager, Public Funding Manager, and more) and all other departments to ensure fundraising strategy is congruent with organizational culture and goals.

Donor Experiences and Events: Oversee the planning and execution of donor engagement and stewardship experiences and events, ensuring they align with fundraising objectives and enhance the donor experience.

Strategy & Planning: Participate actively in annual development planning and budget processes, bringing data-driven insights and a proactive approach to all strategic discussions.

Professional Growth: Actively participate in a professional fundraising association (e.g., Association of Fundraising Professionals) and seek opportunities for continued professional development.

Required Experience and Competencies

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting individual donors.

Decision-Making: Proven ability to make prudent, strategic decisions relative to fundraising that are well-aligned with the organizational culture, mission, and resources.

CRM Proficiency: High proficiency with donor databases/CRMs (Little Green Light), with a commitment to data integrity and disciplined record-keeping.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Essential Soft Skills

Relationship Development: Exceptional ability to build genuine trust and long-lasting relationships with diverse individuals (donors, staff, board).

Teamwork and Collaboration: A deep commitment to humility, collaborative work, and the success of the entire team.

Communication: Excellent professional communication skills, both written (proposals, correspondence) and verbal (in-person and virtual meetings).

Flexibility & Adaptability: A willingness to be flexible, embrace change, and thrive in a dynamic nonprofit environment.

Career Path

This role is designed for a motivated, mid-level professional seeking growth. The Development Manager will receive mentorship from the Executive Director and an organizational consultant. Within approximately two years – if proven success is evident – this person could have the opportunity to advance into the role of Development Director, pending performance and organizational needs. This position is a key part of our in-person, strong team culture.

Benefits

Our benefits include 13 holidays, 3 weeks of vacation, paid sick time, medical and 401K.

We encourage you to review our work via our website https://mitzvahcircle.org as well as our social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.

We are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. We will perform a background check on all employees.

Our benefits include 13 holidays, 3 weeks of vacation, paid sick time, medical and 401K.