Position: Donor Relations Manager

Location:Los Angeles preferred, remote optional, frequent travel

Employment Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Education/Experience Preferences: No requirement; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience preferred 

Compensation Range: Starting at $75,000 DOE

Reports To: Development Director 

Manages: None

Supported By: Development Officer, Grassroots Fundraising; Strategic Partnerships Manager; Development Assistant; Development Coordinator, Data; Office Assistant

Start Date: ASAP

We Are DigDeep

The DigDeep Right to Water Project is the only WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene) organization serving the 2.2 million Americans who still don’t have a tap or a toilet at home. 

DigDeep believes access to clean water is a human right. We run several nationally recognized programs that empower communities to build their own water and sanitation systems. We won the 2018 US Water Prize for our Navajo Water Project, which has brought clean, running water to hundreds of Native families across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. DigDeep launched the Appalachia Water Project in July of 2020, which brings clean, running water into the homes of Appalachia families, starting in southern West Virginia. The project has already brought safe water to hundreds of homes through our innovative hydropanel project and a public-private partnership with the McDowell County Public Service District which is helping families connect to new water lines.

DigDeep is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. DigDeep is built on the principles of equity, transparency, and the power of human experience. Your work will improve the daily lives of real people – people you’re likely to meet. Every American should have the clean, running water they need to thrive. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.

The Opportunity

DigDeep is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Donor Relations Manager (DRM) to join an energetic and collaborative development team during an exciting time of growth. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Donor Relations Manager is responsible for supporting DigDeep’s relationship management, engagement, and communication strategies with our donors and prospects, including major donors, institutional partners (such as Rotary, corporate and foundation funders), and religious organizations. The DRM is responsible for writing compelling proposals, donor reports, and other materials that inspire investment and deepen engagement from current and prospective funders, securing five- and six-figure gifts. 

Collaborating closely with other development team members, communications staff, contractors, and program team members the DRM will support short- and long-term plans for donor retention, diversification of revenue streams, and identification of new funding opportunities with a focus on strengthening the organization’s pipeline of donors for the next five years. The ideal candidate will be adept at thinking strategically, be an effective plan implementer, engaging storyteller, a quick learner, and problem solver, and will demonstrate extreme attention to detail with a deep commitment to water as a human right.

Key Responsibilities

This is what you’ll do once you join the team:

• Support implementation of the Director’s high-impact program to bolster donor communications, and overall engagement strategy. 
• Identify, write, and submit compelling proposals and budgets, at the direction of the Director and in collaboration with the organization’s program staff and other departments as necessary, focusing on priority projects and unfunded program needs. 
• Conduct virtual introductions with prospective donors and institutional partners to determine strategic alignment and giving capacity.
• Serve as a primary writer and contributor on grant proposals and major donor pitch documents, report submissions, and corporate solicitations, helping to position the organization for ongoing and new support from funders. 
• Manage donor information and document donor strategies, opportunities and interaction activity in CRM.
• Communicate in a timely and effective manner externally with partners and internally with Program, Operations, and Finance on upcoming deadlines. 
• In coordination with the Director, arrange and actively participate in meetings with donors to deliver presentations, cultivate relationships, and steward long-term relationships. 
• Maintain ongoing communication with program teams on projects, activities and statistics for use in donor communications. 
• Build first-hand knowledge of the DigDeep model and impact by getting to know program staff, participating in relevant program team discussions and activities, and traveling to visit project sites. 
• Promote high levels of engagement for existing major donors and institutional funders by supporting the planning, executing logistics for and attending field trips to DigDeep’s project sites across the United States. 

As the organization continues to evolve, duties or tasks may change without impacting the overall Job Description.

Skills and Qualifications

We want to hear from you if you have:

• 4-5 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and donor relations management which may include (but is not limited to) grant writing/reporting, funder cultivation/solicitation, stewardship, communications, and/or corporate giving. 
• Superb writing skills required; proposal development, grant writing/reporting experience required.
• Experience with juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced non-profit environment with strong organizational skills, and a high degree of attention to detail.
• Proficiency with GSuite, Microsoft Office suite, Slack, and relevant engineering software; working knowledge of PC and Mac.
• Experience working with a geographically dispersed organization in multiple time zones is preferred.
• Willingness to travel required, including but not limited to: Navajo Nation (AZ/NM/UT), DigDeep HQ, and additional locations as needed.
• Must be culturally sensitive, preferably with experience working in a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environments.
• You're driven by a desire to make our country (and our world) a better place to live. 

Competencies 

• Foster Teamwork: You can work both independently and as a collaborative team member. You listen and respond constructively to colleagues’ feedback and ideas. You provide support where needed, seek assistance when necessary. You have a desire to build and maintain relationships with others.
• Managing Change: You’re a creative thinker with the ability to innovate and are comfortable in a rapidly evolving organization. Effectively navigates uncertainties and incomplete information with a problem-solving mindset to identify appropriate strategies, creatively apply solutions.
• Fostering Innovation: You are innovative and adaptive and believe anything is figure-out-able. You propose and implement your own ideas and suggestions in order to develop and streamline processes.
• Excellent Communicator: You are able to clearly express yourself verbally and in writing. You have the ability to creatively plan and deliver written communications, utilizing graphics, statistics, and language in such a way as to have maximum impact on the intended audience. 
• Builds Collaborative Relationships: You develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships inside and outside the organization with those who can provide information, assistance, and support in furtherance of the organization’s mission. Your team management skills include a strong vision and clear direction, sound judgment, good communication and conflict management skills. You’re culturally sensitive and have experience supporting the development of diverse, inclusive and equitable work environments, including an openness for learning.
• Results Oriented: You develop clear goals for self, team, and projects. You maintain commitment to goals, and employ creative, strategic solutions in the face of obstacles. Eager to take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm. You have proven experience with managing complex timelines for multiple project proposals at once and the management skills to hold collaborating team members to these timelines.
• Technical Expertise: You have demonstrated ability and depth of knowledge with the technology in the desired technical area. You effectively use and apply technical knowledge, and use your knowledge to identify solutions to existing problems. 

Compensation and BenefitsAt DigDeep, we believe that great work requires a great job. We pride ourselves on creating industry-leading employment opportunities for our team across the United States. We’re a supportive environment that values creativity, diversity and quick-thinking. Here’s how we’ll support you in your work:

• Competitive salary to commensurate with level of experience
• Generous PTO and sick leave
• 23 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Annual Professional Development Stipend
• Annual Wellbeing Reimbursement
• Medical, dental, vision insurance, 100% employer paid 
• One Medical membership 
• Life insurance, 100% employer paid
• Work laptop
• Monthly cell phone allowance
• Domestic Travel
• 401k retirement plan, with employer match

Interested?

When applying please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume.

References should be available upon request. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please note that DigDeep cannot provide immigration sponsorship for this position. No office visits. No calls please. Thank you.

DigDeep is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. DigDeep is built on the principles of equity, transparency and the power of human experience. Your work will improve the daily lives of real people. We believe everybody should have the clean, running water they need to thrive. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.

DigDeep is a certified Great Place to Work®