Position Summary
The Donor Relations Manager is a key member of Washington Conservation Action’s development team. We are looking for a relationship builder who is excited to connect people with our mission and engage with the organization’s supporters. The Donor Relations Manager is an “out-the-door” fundraiser. Ideal candidates will enjoy connecting and interacting with donors who have an interest in protecting Washington’s environment and communities. This person will passionately represent Washington Conservation Action’s mission, programs, and message with donors, and will proactively network to activate support. The Donor Relations Manager will work closely with Washington Conservation Action’s development team to build a donor pipeline and deepen relationships with existing supporters.
About Our Organization
Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies and pushes for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.
We champion policies that center the expertise and resilience of our overburdened communities for environmental progress and justice in the Pacific Northwest. Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) partner organization. Together, we advance a shared a vision for thriving communities where people and nature grow strong together.
Washington Conservation Action is committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes Warm Springs, Oregon.
Responsibilities
The Donor Relations Manager connects Washington Conservation Action’s mission and policy advocacy with donors who have the capacity to make major gifts. The person in this role cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of both current and prospective donors. They work closely with policy staff and program leadership to creatively grow engagement and involvement with the organization among donors in their portfolio. The role upholds values based and equitable fundraising practices within the organization.
Key responsibilities for the Donor Relations Manager include:
- Manage and solicit a portfolio of donors and prospects giving $10,000+ annually.
- Build and strengthen the organization’s relationships with its supporters.
- Develop and implement an annual calendar for donor engagement and solicitation.
- Coordinate donor solicitation and stewardship meetings and calls with staff to support a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
- Identify prospects for increased giving and develop strategies for advancing donor relationships.
- Collaborate with development team colleagues to steward donors and ensure timely and accurate acknowledgement of contributions.
- Embrace a Values-Based Fundraising approach in communicating and building relationships with donors and supporters.
- Understand organizational needs and priorities and develop compelling narratives and stories that connect donor interests with aligned programmatic work.
- Participate on a racial equity team.
Required Skills
- 1 – 3 years of experience working with individual donors or supporting a donor management program (could include volunteer experience or comparable experience in sales or client service).
- Strong verbal communication and presentation skills across mediums and audiences.
- Understanding of data management practices and experience using a Constituent Relationship Management platform (Salesforce preferred).
- Strong writing skills and experience producing persuasive written content such as strategic communications plans, proposals, or other written materials.
- A commitment to an ongoing anti-racist learning journey, both personally and professionally.
- A strong desire to be a productive member of a team that is deeply engaged in the work of building power with Black, Brown, and Indigenous people.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously and meet deadlines while working across teams.
- Driven to improving systems and solving problems.
- Commitment to working collaboratively and track record working as part of a development team.
- Bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience.
- Experience using the Microsoft Office suite of tools.
Desired Skills
- Experience organizing and supporting small donor events including briefings and house parties, and large donor events such as fundraising galas.
- Familiarity or experience with grant writing or donor proposal development.
- Customer service or relationship management experience.
- Knowledge of and experience with Community Centric Fundraising or Values-Based Fundraising.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full time, non-exempt position with a salary of $65,500. We also offer a generous benefits package including 100% employer paid medical and dental insurance premiums for a silver level health plan, 401k plan and organizational match of up to 3% of your annual salary, a Flexible Spending Account, four weeks of paid vacation to start, sick leave, thirteen paid holidays per year, an unlimited ORCA transit pass if you are in the ORCA service region, $1,000 per year for professional development and if you work for five consecutive years you are eligible for a two-month paid sabbatical. We welcome new and diverse people to a great team who together shape environmental protection in Washington.
Location Information
This position is hybrid with a minimum of 40% of time in the Seattle office. A hybrid remote agreement is required. Washington Conservation Action’s office is based in downtown Seattle.
Most of our nearly 50 staff work in a flexible hybrid model, with staff typically in the office two days a week for collaboration and celebration. The remainder of our staff are considered fully remote, since they live outside the greater Puget Sound area but within Washington. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support work from home, whether hybrid or remote. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference.
The position requires travel to other parts of Washington state and occasional travel elsewhere in the U.S. Travel is estimated to be 25% or less of the time.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
This job requires frequent sitting. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position. Washington Conservation Action is a unionized employer represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter and a resume here. No phone calls or mailed applications please. This position is open until filled.
WCA is an equitable opportunity employer committed to dismantling structural racism and creating a welcoming work environment. We believe in equitable opportunity for all employees and applicants. WCA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other status or identity protected by local, state, or federal law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in our recruiting process and, if hired, perform the essential functions of the position.
