Development Manager

Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $65,000.00 Annually

POSITION TITLE:
Development Manager
-Annual Giving and Stewardship

FLSA STANDARD: Exempt, Regular - Full Time

REPORTS TO: VP of Development and Communications

ANNUAL COMPENSATION : $60,000 to $65,000

DIRECT REPORTS :0

WHAT IS BRIDGES USA?

BRIDGES is a 100-year-old, Memphis-based youth development organization. BRIDGES unites and inspires diverse young people to become confident and courageous leaders committed to community transformation.

WHY WORK AT BRIDGES?

BRIDGES offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including a 401(k) plan, 20+ days of annual paid leave, good work-life balance, and a dog-friendly work environment.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development Manager is responsible for leading BRIDGES’ annual giving and donor stewardship strategies while ensuring strong data integrity and collaborative fundraising communications. This role manages donor renewals, stewardship initiatives, Salesforce data management, and fundraising communications while supporting grants and advancing annual events as effective fundraising opportunities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Annual Giving Strategy & Donor Renewals – 30%

• Plan and execute annual giving campaigns, including direct mail, email, digital appeals, and targeted donor outreach.
• Lead donor renewal strategies to increase retention, consistency, and gift upgrades.
• Support individual giving strategies in collaboration with the VP of Development & Communications.
• Track annual giving performance and recommend strategy adjustments based on results.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement – 25%

• Lead donor stewardship efforts, including acknowledgment letters, honorariums, memorial gifts, and thank-you calls.
• Ensure stewardship practices reflect BRIDGES’ commitment to relationship-based fundraising.
• Support donor cultivation before, during, and after fundraising events.
• Enter and maintain accurate donor, gift, and campaign data in Salesforce.
• Ensure data integrity, consistency, and compliance with internal reporting standards.
• Generate donor and fundraising reports to inform strategy and leadership decision-making.
• Support donor segmentation and list management for appeals and stewardship.

Fundraising Communications & Digital Strategy – 15%

• Draft solicitation letters and donor communications.
• Collaborate with the Strategic Communications Manager on integrated fundraising campaigns.
• Support digital fundraising strategies, including email, online giving, and social media campaigns.

Grants & Events Support – 10%

• Support grant development and reporting in collaboration with the VP of Development & Communications.
• Assist in advancing annual events into fundraising opportunities.
• Track event-related donor engagement and giving outcomes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five-seven (5-7) years of direct fundraising experience with increased responsibility in development, external sales, or a related field and demonstrated success in achieving revenue targets.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with ability to engage effectively with a wide range of individuals in a diverse community, including program partners, board members, staff, and other such stakeholders.
• Proven research and grant-writing skills, confident asking funders, sponsors, and others to contribute money and time.
• Hands‑on experience working with Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite to develop grant proposals, associated budgets, and other related development campaign materials.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions, compile data, create reports, and proofread and maintain documents, records, and correspondence with strong attention to detail.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years of fundraising experience
• Demonstrated grant‑writing experience; ability to meet fundraising goals successfully on an ongoing basis.
• Experience developing, implementing, and managing strategic short- and long‑term fundraising plans and projects; ability to prioritize work, organize resources organization‑wide, solve problems, and meet submission deadlines.
• Experience working with Salesforce donor management software; ability to identify ways to use the system to improve business processes.
• Proactive leader…