Donor Relations Specialist

Have you often felt like you wanted your work to have meaning? Every day, Resurrection staff members are doing work that matters with people who care. Resurrection’s purpose since its conception in 1990 is to “build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.” Join our team and see how your contributions move the needle in transforming the World.

Resurrection has an opening for a Donor Relations Specialist in the Donor Relations division! The position is full-time, exempt and is located at our Leawood Campus at 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224 . Please see below for a full job description.

Job Summary

The Donor Relations Specialist serves as a key relationship-builder within the Donor Relations Team, helping donors engage more deeply in their generosity and faith journey. This role supports the church’s giving initiatives by developing strategic connections with donors, strengthening long-term relationships, and ensuring individuals feel guided and informed as they support the ministries of the church. The Donor Relations Specialist contributes to the planning and execution of generosity strategies; including annual giving, special initiatives, capital campaigns, and legacy giving, by offering personalized support, meaningful communication, and intentional donor engagement.

Essential Responsibilities and Expectations :

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position-Specific

• Professionally serve as an ambassador with donors as the first point of contact. Create opportunities for individuals to grow in their faith through giving, one of the five essential practices of the Christian faith, by answering questions, assisting with individual giving needs, responding to connection requests and ensuring accuracy with scheduled transaction and commitments, all while providing exceptional hospitality.
• Meet one-on-one with donors to provide education and guidance regarding methods of giving, including Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), stock and securities gifts, recurring giving schedules, employer matching gifts, beneficiary designations, and other giving vehicles.
• Oversee and continuously improve the first-time donor engagement process, ensuring alignment with the churchwide first-time guest and visitor experience.
• Manage and respond to assigned direct donor communication and follow up including thank you notes, gift acknowledgements, etc.
• Oversee the operational matters related to the office and daily business operations for Donor Relations including: oversight of budgets and expenses, purchasing, mailings, expense reimbursements, contractual arrangements, coordinating room reservations, travel, and more.
• Create, pull, and manage databases, event registrations, surveys and reports for donor analytics and assign connection requests for timely response.
• Coordinate project management and communication initiatives for Donor Relations through the RXP process that includes submitting information as requested, tracking timelines, helping ensure websites are maintained, updating printed materials, etc.
• Oversee all aspects of event management, including timelines, creative elements, vendor relationships, volunteer support, guest experience, and post-event follow-up. To include the potential for weekend or evening support.
• Provide ongoing communication, tools, and leadership to ensure volunteers feel equipped, valued, and aligned with Donor Relations and Foundation objectives.
• Work closely with the data management team to maintain accurate donor records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Churchwide

• Follow Jesus and engage in the “five essential practices” of the Christian life: worship, study, serve, give, and share.
• Support the church’s purpose of “building a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people become deeply committed Christians.”
• Exemplify the church’s values and support its theological direction as a United Methodist Church.

Competencies

• Activating – proactively takes on new challenges and opportunities with energy and urgency.
• Collaborating – shares knowledge, builds partnerships and promotes a culture of thinking from the users’ perspective while working across divisions to meet shared goals and objectives.
• Communicating – develops and delivers clear communications (verbal and written) that meet the unique needs of different audiences.
• Focusing on Details – pays attention to important details, avoiding errors and fine- tuning the results for maximum impact.
• Following Processes – gets work done as effectively and efficiently as possible by following optimal processes.
• Improving Systems – configures organizational systems, structures, and processes for greater effectiveness.
• Guest Experience – providing an excellent experience by always putting the guest first, striving for excellence and making sure everyone belongs.
• Navigating the Organization – maneuvers through organizational hurdles by understanding the church’s divisions and departments and their functions.
• Prioritizing Individual Experiences – views the church in the perspective of the experience of the individual, and ensures others are committed to a person-centric approach.

Qualifications

• Education Preferred: Associate or Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis in business, marketing, public relations, or related field
• Proven Results in:
  • Professional experience of at least two years in an administrative position or customer service.
  • Ability to self-initiate and be goal driven to initiate donor contacts
  • Ability to learn software that is used by the church.
  • Strong organizational, administrative, and time management skills.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, both over the phone, written and in-person.
  • Ability to relate well to people
  • Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and responsibilities.
  • Expertise and competency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.
  • A positive attitude and a genuine passion for providing exceptional service.
• Preferred skills but not required:
  • Experience in CANVA
• Physical requirements: moderate physical activity including the lifting, pulling or pushing of items up to 30 pounds.