Director of Donor Relations

Primary Job Responsibilities

The Terre Haute Children’s Museum is seeking a mission-driven, positive, and detailed relationship-builder to join our team. As a key member of the THCM team, the Director of Donor Relations, will contribute to the strategic goals of the organization by building strong corporate donor partnerships, assisting with grants and aiding with the execution of fundraising events. The primary responsibility is to assist with the execution of the capital campaign and the fund development program.  

The ideal candidate will be experienced in handling a wide range administrative, executive support, and development related tasks, and will be able to work independently with little or no supervision. This person must be exceedingly well organized, flexible, and enjoy the administrative challenges of supporting a growing non-profit organization. The ideal candidate will be detail orientated, an excellent negotiator and skilled communicator. They will have a committed can-do attitude, be motivated to create and steward mutually beneficial partnerships, have exceptional presentation skills, special event management experience, and be a strong team player.

They should also have a passion to learn the art of fundraising through best practices. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director.

Essential Functions

Corporate Donations

• Manage and build the corporate giving program with local businesses to meet monthly and annual fundraising goals.
• Assist the Executive Director with the planning for and implementation of the “Play and Purpose” capital campaign.
• Assist the Executive Director and THCM Top Chefs Committee with the planning of the museum’s signature fundraiser, THCM Top Chefs, including the solicitation of corporate and individual donors for the event.
• Provide accurate reports for all areas of responsibility as requested by the ED.
• Support the ED in developing new fundraising opportunities.
• Develop strategies and follow through with tactical activity that produces new annual gifts and corporate sponsorships.
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully turn prospects into partners, and partners into donors.
• Coordinate event planning and status meetings, budget set up, agreement development, assembling appropriate staffing, and communications with key internal and external partners.
• Maintain database and files for all awards, agreements, contracts, and subcontracts, including reporting requirements and renewal deadlines.
• Track and maintain donor activity in the Museum’s Point of Sale/CRM system.
• Work closely with the ED to manage a portfolio of donor relationships, develop and coordinate funding proposals, donor outreach, and stewardship.

Donor Relations & Communication

• Assist the ED in meeting with donors in person when possible or by phone to cultivate strong relationships and deepen engagement and increase support.
• Ensure post-gift stewardship, proof of performance reports, and donor acknowledgment.
• Assist in growing donor commitment and involvement.
• Create and write all company direct mail solicitations (increasing the number of donations received and donors who annually support the mission of THCM.)
• Assist the ED in producing email blasts to promote on-line giving.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work with a highly cross-functional team in planning, implementation, execution of programs, presentations, cultivation, stewardship, and events.
• Work with the entire leadership team to accomplish fiscal goals, including events, sponsorships, grants, and other activities.
• Prepare data-based reports to measure progress, drive future success and develop suggestions to further the effectiveness of the group’s engagement strategies.
• Work openly with volunteers and staff to create an evolving prospect list.

Grants

·      Assist in the preparation of grant proposals. Cultivates relationships with grantors to maximize the income goals of the organization.

·      Work with program managers to develop project budgets for grant requests

·      Manage calendar of public and private grant submission and report deadlines

·      Research and identify new funding prospects

·      Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and Director of Operations to secure publicity for funders and collect client stories for use in grant proposals, publications and acknowledgements

·      Maintain current foundation and grant information in the THCM database, including key foundation contacts, proposal details, foundation summaries and upcoming deadlines

Skills

• A Bachelor of Arts in a related field. CFRE or CFRM credentials are appreciated.
• Experience in donor portfolio management, donor relations, proposal development, events, and negotiations is appreciated.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple details and to achieve results in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective listener, strategist, and planner.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with internal and external constituents.
• Proficiency with donor databases, google workspace, online donor management software, online project management tools, Microsoft Office Suite. Proven ability to learn new systems and software.
• Coordination, administrative, organization, and follow-up skills
• Possess a warm, friendly, positive attitude with plenty of energy.
• Must enjoy working around children and adults of all ethnic and social backgrounds.
• Able to think on feet and adjust to unexpected occurrences in a timely and professional manner.
• Conduct self in a professional and respectful manner around guests and staff.
• Must display patience and professionalism when working with youth, co-workers, and parents.

Work Environment

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Night and/or weekend hours will be necessary

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements.