Manager of Annual Giving

Position: Manager of Annual Giving

Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer 

Salary Grade: Manager II

Salary Range: $80,000-$95,000

Location: Washington, D.C. Required 

Job Type: Hybrid (in-office Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Voluntary Self-ID Questionnaire 

About Us: 

Issue One is helping lead the fight to protect U.S. elections and election workers in 2022, ensure a peaceful transfer of power in 2025, and win comprehensive reforms to combat disinformation on technology platforms. Issue One built the National Council on Election Integrity and led its $15 million Count Every Vote Campaigns to defend the integrity of the 2020 elections and push back against attempts to undermine faith in our democratic process. 

Over the past several years, Issue One has become home to one of the largest bipartisan coalitions of its kind to advocate for solutions to fix our democracy. We are poised to continue our outsized impact. This position is key in helping us continue our “punch above our weight” mentality. The position is based in Washington, D.C., and requires working in our downtown office every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Position:

The Manager of Annual Giving is pivotal in developing and executing strategies for engaging with low- to mid-level donors, those contributing up to $10K to our annual campaign. This role focuses on the strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of these key supporters to enhance donor relations, drive solicitation initiatives, and secure the fund's continued growth and sustainability. This opportunity is ideal for a development professional eager to join a fast-paced, high-performing, and rapidly growing Advancement team. The role offers the opportunity to shape and drive fundraising initiatives within a dynamic portfolio, alongside implementing Issue One's related fundraising plans and priorities. It's an exceptional chance to contribute to our mission and grow with us.

Responsibilities:

Donor Strategy Development 

• Develop and implement targeted strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors contributing $1,000-$10,000. 
• Focus on expanding our donor base and increasing annual contributions by spearheading an annual engagement plan for low and mid-level donors.

Donor Stewardship

• Create and maintain systems to acknowledge donations promptly and express gratitude alongside a stewardship plan that engages donors with the impact of their support and integrates them more closely with our mission. 
• Act as the primary contact for low and mid-level donor communications.

Email/Direct Mail Campaigns

• Manage direct mail and email campaigns from concept to execution, optimizing messaging for impact and ensuring timely delivery. 
• Continually evaluate and adjust solicitation strategies to improve donor engagement and financial support.

Event Planning and Execution

• Support the organization of donor cultivation events, both virtual and in-person, to enhance engagement and support. This includes handling logistics, content, and follow-ups to solidify donor relationships.

Reporting and Analysis

• Conduct regular analysis and reporting on annual fund performance, focusing on donor acquisition, retention, and overall campaign success. 
• Utilize insights from data to guide strategic planning and communicate key findings to leadership and stakeholders.

Other/Advancement Department Support 

• Assist with a variety of tasks within the advancement department, including but not limited to proposal writing, report generation, research, and the creation of materials for donor interactions and sector events.

Job-Related Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in humanities or a related field, with 5+ years of experience in fundraising or advancement roles, including internships.
• Demonstrated ability in a fundraising coordinator or donor communications position, with a track record of professional growth within the advancement field. 
• Proven experience in managing portions of a donor portfolio and crafting successful donor appeals.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Raiser’s Edge NXT, or similar donor CRM software preferred.

Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in crafting and executing strategic fundraising plans; a specialization in individual donor strategies and a strong foundation in donor communications best practices is preferred.
• Strong skills in donor communications, strategic engagement, and database management, including CRM systems. 
• Knowledge of fundraising metrics with the ability to analyze and report on campaign performance.
• Creative thinker with experience in developing fundraising strategies and organizing events.
• Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented with the capability to work collaboratively across teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication abilities, capable of conveying complex information clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Proven skills in initiating, prioritizing, and managing projects effectively, ensuring timely completion.

Decision Making

• The Manager of Annual Giving will be tasked with developing engagement plans for both low-level and mid-level donor segments. After receiving approval, they will independently manage their donor portfolio in collaboration with the development team.
• The Manager may recommend strategies for donor engagement, specific fundraising campaigns, or significant changes to communication approaches with donors, which will require review and collaboration with the rest of the development team.
• To make any substantial purchases or major changes to our standard operating procedures, the CAO must give final approval.
• The CAO should approve any VIP communications to donors or other key stakeholders in advance, in coordination with our Comms teams. 
• The Manager is empowered to autonomously address donor inquiries.

Physical Demands 

• Most work is carried out in an office-like environment, with the Manager completing projects at a desk for extended periods of time and working with a computer. During special events or meetings, the Manager may be required to stand for a long period of time. 
• The Manager may have to lift, push, and/or carry items weighing more than ten (10) pounds. 
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.

Work Coordination and Supervision 

• The Manager reports directly to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). The CAO assigns all work, and most projects need to be reviewed and approved before implementation.
• Issue One is a collaborative workplace, with some projects and assignments coming from other departments or leaders. The Manager should always inform their supervisor of any work-related requests from outside the department. 

Structure and Location

This is a full-time, salaried, fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. This position is required to be in the Washington, DC area. 

Benefits

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance: 

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff. 
• Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures. 
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. They are also eligible to be reimbursed for stepping outside of their comfort zone and doing something they have never done before. 
• All staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship. 

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

• April 2-14: The position is posted, and resumes are collected 
• April 15-19: Resumes are screened, and phone screens are scheduled.
• April 22-26: Phone screens take place, and first-round panel interviews are scheduled. 
• May 6-10: First-round panel interviews take place, and finalists are named. 
• May 13-17: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place along with paid assessment (if needed).
• May 20-24: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials). 

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after April 12, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

At Issue One, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to voluntarily complete our self-identification questionnaire. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities for success.

How to Apply:

1. Interested applicants can apply by clicking "apply for this job" in the top-right of this page. Please include how you heard about the position.
2. All applicants are encouraged to complete the self-identification questionnaire. 

Due to the volume of applications, we will unfortunately not be able to acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please. 

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.