Donor Relations Officer (Major and Middle Gift Officer)

Bridgeport Rescue Mission (BRM)

Position Title: Donor Relations Officer

Reports To: Director of Development

Position Summary

The Donor Relations Officer (DRO) will play a vital role in advancing Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s vision by cultivating and stewarding relationships with major/middle level donors who want to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of struggling families in Connecticut.

This position requires an experienced, motivated, and persuasive fundraising professional who is committed to the Mission’s faith-based values and service to the community. The DRO will build and manage a portfolio of major donors/middle donors that generates sustainable annual revenue to support BRM’s programs.

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, skilled at presenting BRM’s case for support in a compelling and authentic way, and able to develop strong, trust-based donor relationships.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• • Build, cultivate, and steward strong relationships with current and prospective donors.
  • Increase annual giving levels from existing donors and acquire new major and middle donors.
  • Create, plan, and execute an annual donor cultivation plan utilizing BRM’s portfolio system and permission-based asking technique.
  • Implement the donor cultivation plan; provide weekly progress updates and portfolio metrics to the Director of Development.
  • Ensure timely and thorough follow-up after donor interactions.
  • Prepare written proposals, reports, and donor communications.
  • Accurately track donor activity in the BRM database (DonorPerfect).
  • Identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and proactively connect donors with appropriate BRM programs.

Presentations & Engagement

• • Prepare and deliver compelling presentations to individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations.
  • Host cultivation and solicitation visits, including tours of BRM facilities.
  • Plan and host small donor engagement events (e.g., coffees, lunches, dinners, or other gatherings) that align with cultivation strategies and team objectives.

Events & Campaigns

• • Take lead responsibility for planning and delivering one special event annually.
  • Support BRM’s large-scale annual events and banquets by securing corporate partners, donor participation, and volunteer engagement.

Collaboration & Representation

• • Maintain and communicate a thorough knowledge of BRM programs and services.
  • Establish credibility and represent BRM with professionalism, maturity, and poise.
  • Collaborate closely with BRM staff and development colleagues to advance team goals.
  • Represent BRM at community functions and church events to broaden visibility and strengthen donor relationships.
  • Proactively identify and leverage opportunities to increase awareness of BRM within the community.

Qualifications & Skills

• • Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in fundraising, development, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating and stewarding donor or partner relationships, with knowledge of donor cultivation strategies; familiarity with planned giving vehicles a plus.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with the capacity to inspire, persuade, and build trust.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with DonorPerfect or similar donor database systems preferred.
  • Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region to attend donor visits and events

Additional Requirements

As part of the BRM team, the Donor Relations Officer will be asked to:

• • Sign the BRM Statement of Faith & Ministry Principles Acknowledgement (Section VIII, Appendix B).
  • Commit to following the guidelines outlined in the BRM Employee Handbook (Section VIII, Appendix A).

Compensation

• • Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience and qualifications.