Annual Fund Manager

Full-Time | On-Site/Hybrid

About York Street Project

York Street Project disrupts the cycle of poverty by providing housing, education, childcare, and life-skills training to women and children in Jersey City. Through interconnected, wrap-around programs, we empower families to build lasting stability. As we expand our community of supporters, we are seeking a relationship-centered Annual Fund Manager to help deepen donor engagement and grow philanthropic investment.

Position Summary

The Annual Fund Manager leads all aspects of York Street Project’s annual giving program and plays a central role in stewarding and expanding our base of individual donors. This role includes direct donor interaction, including managing a portfolio of annual donors (generally up to $2,500), conducting cultivation and stewardship outreach, managing monetary third-party fundraising activities, and occasionally representing the organization at events, meetings, and donor gatherings.

Additionally, the Annual Fund Manager oversees all annual appeals (print and digital), donor communications, newsletters, “investors reports,” and cultivation events—including Trustee-hosted engagement opportunities. This position is an opportunity for significant professional growth for someone early in their development careers and is ideal for a strong communicator who thrives on building relationships, telling meaningful stories, and advancing a mission-driven cause.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy & Campaign Execution

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fund strategy to increase donor revenue, retention, and engagement.
• Lead all annual appeals, including but not limited to:
  • Direct mail campaigns
  • E-appeals and digital fundraising series
  • Third-party fundraising activities, including Giving Tuesday and peer-to-peer initiatives
• Build and manage segmentation strategies to personalize communication and maximize donor response.

Direct Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of annual fund donors, focusing on retention, upgrades, and long-term engagement
• Conduct proactive outreach, including:
  • Donor meetings (in-person and virtual)
  • Personalized emails and calls
  • Handwritten notes
  • Stewardship touchpoints throughout the year
• Identify prospects for increased giving and coordinate with leadership on cultivation strategies
• Serve as a frontline representative of York Street Project, articulating mission impact with clarity and warmth
• Manage and grow the HOPE Builders Program, a recurring giving program

Donor Communications & Content Development

• Produce compelling donor communications, including:
  • Newsletters
  • Investors reports (more in-depth pieces on particular program areas produced quarterly)
  • Impact stories, program highlights, and donor testimonials
  • Pitch decks
• Ensure messaging reflects York Street Project’s values, impact, and brand identity.

Events & Donor Engagement Opportunities

• Support and coordinate donor events, including:
  • Trustee-hosted cultivation gatherings
  • Small-group tours and mission-focused conversations
  • Donor appreciation events
• Manage invitations, logistics, run-of-show materials, and follow-up stewardship

Data, Reporting & Analytics

• Maintain accurate donor information in the CRM to ensure timely gift processing and acknowledgment
• Track annual giving results and prepare monthly reports and dashboards
• Analyze donor trends to inform segmentation, retention strategies, and upgrade pathways

Collaboration & Organizational Support

• Partner with the larger development team on integrated campaigns and storytelling
• Collaborate with program staff to gather mission-driven content and impact data
• Support special event and fundraising planning in general as needed
• Work closely with the Development Director to align annual fund initiatives with broader revenue goals

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
• 2–5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with specific experience in annual giving, donor relations, or individual giving preferred
• Demonstrated success in direct donor interaction and portfolio management
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with donor databases and digital fundraising tools
• Strong event coordination and project management skills
• Passion for York Street Project’s mission and commitment to social justice

Personal Attributes

• Warm, engaging communicator who enjoys building relationships
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and data-driven
• Creative storyteller with strong emotional intelligence
• Collaborative, proactive team player with a growth mindset

Interested candidates should send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to Jon Kornfeld at jkornfeld@yorkstreetproject.org. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 401k
• Paid Holidays
• PTO (192 hours)