Donor Relations Manager

Position Title: Donor Relations Manager                  Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Department: Development                                        Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $55K to $67,500K annually                   Job Level: Intermediate Level

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s mission is to cultivate our natural, horticultural, and historic resources for learning, enjoyment, and inspiration. This vibrant gem is the result of an exciting partnership between the nonprofit Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation (LAAF) and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). As it celebrates its 76th year, the Arboretum invites you to explore its stunning 127 acres, brimming with diverse plant life and captivating history. Join over 600,000 passionate and enthusiastic visitors each year and immerse yourself in a world of beauty, learning, and wonder.

Position Summary:

The Donor Relations Manager position is a fulltime position and will work closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to create and implement all aspects of the Development Department fundraising programs. This includes mail and email appeals, the annual giving campaign, design and production of fundraising materials, gift processing and acknowledgement letters, and pledge reminders. The position requires organization and event management skills, along with strong personal communication skills to enhance positive relations with prospects and donors.

Essential Duties:

• Plan and implement appeals and campaigns related to Annual, Major Gift, and Planned Giving support. Assist CDO with establishing both current year and long-term goals and objectives for the Development Department plan.


• Oversee the donor acknowledgement process including receipting of gifts, donor thank you letters, processing matching gifts, pledge processing, pledge reminders, and pulling donor lists.


• Maintain donor database integrity; build and run queries and reports as required.


• Manage the Benefactor program including the renewal and acknowledgement processes, providing a level of concierge care to this group of high-level supporters.


• Plan and implement Development events to include several Benefactor events each year, working with the CDO and CEO; this includes invitation planning, all event logistics, and ensuring the Benefactor webpage content is current. In addition, collaborate with the Development team to plan and implement other Development fundraising events as needed.


• Direct the Memorial and Tribute program and facilitate bench and tree dedications.


• Manage the Appeals process, including managing timelines, developing graphic design concepts, working with the mailing house/printer on print production and to ensure a high-quality appeal piece is delivered on schedule, and produce final result reporting for each appeal.


• Assist the Development Department in special fundraising initiatives that may develop from time to time.


• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

The following is required to effectively perform in this position:

• Exceptional organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written)


• Pleasant and professional demeanor in person and on the phone, representing the Arboretum positively


• Strong customer service orientation, providing a level of concierge care to our highest-level of supporters


• Collaborative team player with the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment


• Technologically savvy, with proficient experience with Blackbaud’s Altru or other Customer Relationship Management software; Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.


• Two or more years of relevant work experience, preferably with nonprofit organizations.

Working Conditions:

• The position primarily operates within an office environment. The successful candidate must possess the physical capacity to regularly lift and transport items weighing up to fifteen (15) pounds, including but not limited to office supplies, files, and event materials.