Donor Relations Specialist

Job Announcement

Title: Donor Relations Specialist

Position Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Reports To: Development Director

Hiring Range: $54,075 - $75,705

Benefits: Full benefits including three weeks of annual vacation, every other Friday off, paid health days, annual wellness week closure, paid family and medical leave, retirement match, health, dental and vision insurance, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability benefits, and a CWEE-issued laptop

Founded in 1982, the Center for Work Education and Employment (CWEE) is one of Denver’s leading workforce and anti-poverty organizations. CWEE provides personal and professional support to address each career seeker’s unique challenges and to facilitate a supportive path to long-term employment success. CWEE’s mission is to foster personal and professional transformation for low-income families through confidence building, customized skills training, and career advancement. CWEE believes that regardless of personal situations and other barriers to employment, when an appropriate level of education and support is provided, individuals can and will succeed.

The values that drive CWEE’s mission of helping individuals succeed also drive CWEE’s approach to organizational management and employee development. CWEE embraces a culture of organizational learning and continuous quality improvement while centering trauma-informed care and wellness at all levels of the organization.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Donor Relations Specialist collaborates closely with the Director of Development to grow CWEE’s base of philanthropic support and advance organizational priorities. This role focuses on the Department’s annual fund, events, and communications. This also includes CRM data management (DonorPerfect), as well as special projects as needed.

CWEE is seeking a relationship-oriented professional who can manage multiple projects, communicate clearly, and follow through on detailed work. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking, creativity, and technical abilities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Fund & Communications

• Execute CWEE’s full-cycle annual fund, including but not limited to Colorado Gives Day, end-of-year giving, monthly giving, peer-to-peer, and third-party campaigns.
• Develop mass communications, impact stories, stewardship materials, event collateral, and other organizational content, including monthly newsletters and CWEE’s annual report.
• Implement mass communications plan, including storytelling across social, web, email, video, and design.
• Design departmental and organizational content such as signs, flyers, slideshows, etc.

Event Execution

• Execute 2-4 annual departmental events including CWEE’s annual fundraiser and stewardship events.
• Co-develop registration processes, staffing plans, marketing materials and program content
• Manage vendor relationships and oversee event logistics with a focus on guest experience
• Track progress, provide updates, and troubleshoot issues with the development department and event committees.
• Adhere to budget, track revenue and expenses, and reconcile with finance department.
• Recruit and coordinate event volunteers and serve as their primary contact during events.
• Represent CWEE at occasional appearances such as special events, lunch and learns and volunteer events.

Donor Data Management

• Maintain accurate records in CRM (DonorPerfect), including gift entry, contact reports, donor information, tax acknowledgements, etc.
• Build donor and mailing lists, prepare routine and special reports, and conduct regular data cleanup and quality checks.
• Support donor outreach and other stewardship activities assigned by the Development Director.

Professional Growth and Wellness

• Regularly reflect on progress toward professional goals, both individually and with supervisor, identifying and following through on learning opportunities
• Identify opportunities to mitigate stress.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Five years of relevant experience in nonprofit development, event planning, communications, community engagement, customer service, or similar work. Comparable transferable experience will be considered.
• Experience coordinating events or managing large projects with multiple timelines, vendors, participants, and logistical needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create donor-facing content and communicate professionally with donors, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and partners.
• Strong organization, time management, initiative, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Experience with database entry, reporting, list building, gift processing, or similar record management. Experience with DonorPerfect or another fundraising CRM is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and graphic design tools such as Canva.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to CWEE’s mission of providing long-term, durable self-sufficiency through quality employment
• Active contributor to a positive work culture built on ongoing learning, continuous improvement and attention to wellness
• Passion for working cooperatively and effectively with others to enhance organizational effectiveness
• Goal oriented with ability to operate in a dynamic environment as well as perform in a self- directed manner
• Professional maturity, listening, and interpersonal skills in order to engage all audiences and build relationships
• Excellent written and oral communication with an ability to communicate key messages.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be located in the State of Colorado by the agreed upon start date
• CWEE operates in a hybrid workplace model that balances the responsibilities of being a direct service organization with the benefits of a flexible work environment; all staff should expect time in the office
• Willingness to work a varied schedule beyond core office hours, including occasional evening and weekend hours with advance notice
• Ability to attend meetings and events within the Denver Metro area

TO APPLY

Send cover letter, resume and writing sample to careers@cwee.org. Please indicate ‘Donor Relations” in the subject line. Materials will be reviewed and interviews scheduled as qualified applications are received.

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

CWEE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all qualified applicants. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to careers@cwee.org. Applicants of any and all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. CWEE is also dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role and your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the requirements in the job description, we encourage you to still apply. You might be the right candidate for this or other roles within the organization.

A criminal background check of 7 years is required and CWEE will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

Full benefits including three weeks of annual vacation, every other Friday off, paid health days, annual wellness week closure, paid family and medical leave, retirement match, health, dental and vision insurance, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability benefits, and a CWEE-issued laptop