How to apply for Donor Relations Manager

About Center for Biological Diversity

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to protect endangered species, lands, waters, and the climate. It uses science, law, activism, and creative media. The development team supports this work by raising funds from donors.

About the role

The Donor Relations Manager reports to the Membership Director and oversees Development Associates. The role involves managing donor relationships and contributing to fundraising efforts. The salary range is $76,000 to $85,000, and the position is remote in the Mountain or Pacific time zones.

A typical day

A typical day might involve corresponding with donors, reviewing gift processing with Development Associates, and planning stewardship activities. You would also attend virtual meetings with the development team and update donor records. The role is remote, so most work is done via email, phone, and video calls.

Who Center for Biological Diversity is looking for

• Experience in donor relations or fundraising, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Ability to manage and support Development Associates, including assigning tasks and reviewing work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for donor correspondence and reports.
• Familiarity with donor databases and fundraising software.
• Comfort working remotely and collaborating with a distributed team.

Tips for this application

• Submit a cover letter and resume through the online application system; do not call or email to follow up.
• Address the cover letter to the Membership Director, as that is the reported supervisor.
• Highlight any experience supervising or mentoring development staff or associates.
• Mention specific experience with donor relations, such as managing portfolios or stewardship programs.
• Confirm you are available to work in the Mountain or Pacific time zone, as the role is remote but limited to those areas.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience in donor relations or fundraising, with examples of donor stewardship or solicitation.', 'Your ability to supervise or support development associates, including any prior management responsibilities.', "Your understanding of the Center for Biological Diversity's work and why you want to support its development program.", 'Your fit for a remote role based in the Mountain or Pacific time zone, including any previous remote work experience.']

Research before applying

• Read the Center for Biological Diversity's website, especially its mission, programs, and recent victories.
• Look up the Membership Director and other development team members on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds.
• Review the Center's annual reports or financial statements to see how the development program is structured.
• Search for news articles about the Center's campaigns to understand its public profile and donor base.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would approach donor stewardship and retention in a remote setting.
• Your experience managing or mentoring development associates or junior staff.
• How you would handle a donor who reduces their giving or stops donating.
• Your familiarity with fundraising metrics and how you use them to improve donor relations.
• Why you want to work for the Center for Biological Diversity specifically, and how you connect with its mission.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not following the application instructions, such as calling or emailing instead of applying online.
• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention the Center for Biological Diversity or the Donor Relations Manager role.
• Failing to demonstrate experience in donor relations or fundraising, which is central to the position.