Donor Relations Director SC​/DHQ - Development

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Donor Relations Director (DRD) plays a key and integral role in the success of the Southern California Division fund development efforts, specifically through ongoing and proactive relationship management, strategic communications plans, gifts cultivation and solicitation activity with an assigned caseload of qualified major donors and a smaller group (10%) of assigned, qualified major gift prospects. In this role, the DRD will identify, qualify, be assigned, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift donors (90%) and prospects (10%), acting as the primary contact between The Army and the assigned caseload, with an emphasis on securing gifts of $5,000 and much higher, increasing major gifts to The Salvation Army while retaining and strengthening existing giving.

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• The DRD establishes, manages and fulfills a caseload communications plan, including individual fund raising goals and personalized strategies, to effectively steward, educate, cultivate and solicit gifts from major donors each fiscal year, with an emphasis on gifts of $5,000 and higher.
• Manages a caseload of 150 assigned and qualified major donors and will maintain and seek to engage with a small additional prospective donor "watch list" as assigned, following the agreed upon communications plan that is specific to each donor and prospect and working, as appropriate, with donor leadership volunteers to secure visits with those in their peer networks who are assigned.
• Works diligently to meet territorially-approved annual activity metrics and income production goals and is purposeful about every visit and communication and the desired outcome for each "touch."
• Leads in one-to-one solicitation, gift acknowledgement and stewardship communication, traveling as necessary, establishing and maintaining excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including Army and/or volunteer leadership as appropriate.
• Leads the development of team solicitation strategies and facilitates the team planning process for peer- to-peer cultivation and solicitation approaches, involving leadership volunteers and internal leadership, as deemed appropriate. Develops research and briefing memos in preparation for team discussions. Works with territorial prospect research manager and local staff who are trained to do research to develop donor profiles to inform "moves management" strategies and planning conversations.
• Meets regularly with DOD to discuss and refine caseload plans, donor strategies, to track progress, to receive coaching, and to keep open lines of communication.
• Participates in recommended professional trainings as budget allows, conference calls with other major gifts staff, conference kindred sessions and other professional development opportunities.
• Works in close conjunction with other fund development officers, pursuing and contributing to harmonious collaboration between direct marketing, social media, foundation, corporation, and planned giving staff for optimal integrated strategies in regard to major donor communications as well as overall department initiatives.
• Works in close collaboration with local officers, program, finance and fund raising staff to present local Army resource development needs that correspond to where donors and prospects reside, while always being responsive to each donor's interests (even if elsewhere)…