Director of Donor Relations

Do you want your work to make an actual IMPACT on this world?

The Cure Starts Now is a worldwide charity funding groundbreaking research for kids fighting cancer. We are searching for a phenomenal marketing mind with a huge heart and willingness to dig in and make things happen. The Cure Starts Now is looking for a warm, strategic, and highly relational Director of Donor Relations to help deepen the connection between our donors and the life-changing impact they make possible.

This role is all about people. You will lead the donor experience, creating meaningful stewardship, thoughtful communication, and personal engagement that helps supporters feel thanked, inspired, and connected to our mission of funding research children cannot wait for.

The ideal candidate is a strong relationship-builder, excellent communicator, thoughtful strategist, and natural storyteller who believes donors are more than transactions. They are part of a family-built movement working toward The Homerun Cure for childhood cancer.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and lead donor stewardship and engagement strategies across giving levels and supporter roles.
• Lead, train, celebrate and empower a team of passionate relationship builders.
• Build meaningful relationships with donors, sponsors, event supporters, peer-to-peer fundraisers, and recurring donors.
• Create thoughtful donor touchpoints, including thank-you notes, impact updates, anniversary messages, recognition efforts, and personalized follow-up.
• Partner with marketing, events, finance, family outreach, and leadership to ensure donors receive timely, meaningful, and mission-centered communication.
• Use donor data, through HubSpot and other CRM systems, to improve retention, increase recurring giving, identify upgrade opportunities, and re-engage lapsed donors.
• Help turn event attendees, campaign donors, and one-time supporters into long-term champions of The Cure Starts Now.
• Represent the organization with warmth, professionalism, and deep respect for the families and children at the heart of our mission.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sales, philanthropy, communication or similar fields.
• 5 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, nonprofit development, stewardship, communications, or a related field.
• 3 years of leading a team of 2 or more.
• A sincere love for building relationships and helping people feel connected to a mission.
• Excellent writing, communication, and follow-through skills.
• 2 years of experience in HubSpot or other CRM databases, segmentation, or donor reporting.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• A collaborative spirit and comfort working across teams.
• High integrity and discretion with donor and family information.
• This is an in-office position in Cincinnati, Ohio

What Success Looks Like

• Donors feel personally thanked, informed, and inspired to continue giving.
• Donor retention increases across key giving groups.
• More first-time donors make a second gift.
• Recurring giving and upgraded giving grow.
• Event and campaign supporters become long-term partners.
• The Cure Starts Now has stronger systems for gratitude, follow-up, and donor engagement.

About The Cure Starts Now

The Cure Starts Now is a global family-built movement dedicated to funding the research children with cancer cannot wait for headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in honor of Elena Desserich, our mission is focused on The Homerun Cure, the idea that by fighting some of the deadliest childhood cancers first, we can open the door to cures for many cancers.

If you are someone who believes gratitude can build lasting relationships, stories can move people to action, and donors and families deserve to feel the true impact of their generosity, we would love to meet you.

Salary Range

• $70,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.