Philanthropy & Donor Engagement Manager

Company

Description:

The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation (PDFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Wilmington, DE that promotes our country’s spirit of private enterprise, by fostering access to the marketplace for every entrepreneur and their ideas. PDFF is committed to expanding the legacy of Governor Pete du Pont by identifying and championing innovative ideas and helping entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses. Led by a dedicated Board of Directors, we collaborate with business leaders, community partners, and service providers to invest in business development, create jobs, and promote enterprise for all.

Philanthropy & Donor Engagement Manager to lead and grow the Foundation’s individual donor and corporate giving efforts, with a primary focus on donor retention, renewals, and the cultivation of new supporters. This is a frontline, relationship‑driven position that plays a central role in advancing PDFF’s mission through active donor stewardship, corporate sponsorship development, and the strategic use of high‑impact events as tools for relationship‑building and revenue growth.

This position owns individual and corporate donor stewardship and is accountable for meeting quarterly revenue goals, while also leading the planning and execution of PDFF’s signature events, including up to four CEO Series gatherings annually, the Pete du Pont Freedom Award (300+ attendees), and the Reinventing Delaware Dinner, ensuring they are mission‑aligned, financially successful, and deliver meaningful experiences.

In partnership with the Executive Director, this role will steward, renew, and cultivate individual donors; expand corporate giving and sponsor ships; develop strategies for donor and sponsor engagement; and manage key development operations, including accurate CRM management, year‑end giving campaigns, and stewardship communications. This individual will also help create opportunities that connect donors and sponsors with the entrepreneurs and impact stories emerging from PDFF’s programs.

The ideal candidate is proactive, people‑oriented, and motivated by goals, growth, and impact. They are comfortable initiating conversations, building rapport, and working with C‑suite leaders and influential stakeholders. Candidates with experience in fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorship development, or relationship‑driven event management – particularly those who have supported executive leadership or managed donor‑facing initiatives – will excel in this role.

Core Duties:

Individual & Corporate Donor Stewardship (60%)

• Manage and grow PDFF’s individual donor and membership revenue through active stewardship, renewals, and cultivation of new supporters, with accountability for retention and renewal goals.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for corporate giving, including outreach, cultivation, renewal cycles, and sponsorship stewardship.
• Proactively build a robust pipeline of individual and corporate donors by identifying prospects, conducting research, and engaging through strategic and personalized outreach.
• Oversee CRM data integrity, donor and sponsor tracking, acknowledgments, pledge management, and timely recording of all gifts and commitments.
• Lead and coordinate PDFF’s annual year‑end giving campaign, including strategy, messaging, donor segmentation, outreach, tracking, and post‑campaign appreciation.
• Lead donor appreciation initiatives, stewardship events, and personalized touchpoints throughout the year.
• Develop creative strategies to connect donors and sponsors with program participants and impact stories through curated experiences, storytelling, and mission‑forward communications.
• Produce donor updates, impact briefs, reports, and relationship‑touchpoint plans in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Event Planning, Sponsorship & Management (30%)

• Lead end‑to‑end planning, execution, and evaluation of four to six revenue‑generating events per year, ensuring high‑quality experiences and achieving revenue goals per event. This includes:
• Project manage all aspects of the Freedom Award, including securing a keynote speaker, managing a 300+ attendee event, coordinating corporate…