Donor Relations Manager I

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Donor Relations Manager I (DRM I) assists in the implementation of tactics for the ongoing cultivation of donors. They conduct initial exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity for giving. The DRM I provides ongoing opportunities for contact with past and current donors.

The Donor Relations Manager I is responsible for the identification and qualification of major and planned gift prospects and assists in cultivating and soliciting donors through direct contact. The DRM I will coordinate work with senior fundraisers. They will move prospects capable of gifts of higher amounts to the prospect pool for management by senior fundraising staff and integration into the Moves Management process. They will work on a variety of activities including providing program information to prospects and drafting routine correspondence and acknowledgments. They use the Conservancy’s donor database to update donor information, produce reports, and track and cultivate donors. The DRM I identifies the correct contacts to go to for information on gifts of assets. They will effectively communicate or distribute information to assist staff in making decisions, solving problems, and improving workflow. They will travel and work flexible hours. The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

We’re Looking for You:

By joining our team, you will become part of a group that is a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.

We’re looking for an individual with fundraising or business development experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people. The Conservancy is a global conservation leader and one of the top fundraising charities in the United States.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Donor Relations Manager (DRM) is a front-line fundraiser who thrives on being “out the door” leading, planning, and implementing major gift strategies with donors and prospects capable of making major and/or deferred gift commitments to help TNC in New Hampshire achieve a series of ambitious 2030 Goals for nature and people. They manage a portfolio, conduct exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity for giving, and cultivate relationships with donors at a personal level. They make direct solicitations based on the donor’s interests and leverage volunteers when possible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Donor Relations Manager is responsible for the discovery, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of both individual and foundation major and planned gift prospects and cultivates enduring relationships through meetings, trips, events, and other activities. They will also assist with content development for other donor materials needed to support donor discovery and build the prospect pipeline. This role is primarily focused (50%) on building relationships with new prospects, conducting discovery through phone calls, in-person visits, and email outreach. They will move prospects capable of gifts of higher amounts to the prospect pool for management by senior fundraising staff and integration into the Moves Management process. They will work on a variety of activities including providing detailed program information to prospects and drafting personalized correspondence. They use the Conservancy’s donor database to update donor information, produce reports, and perform analysis to track and cultivate donors. The DRM understands the basics of the influencing factors on donors and the types of assets, including non-cash assets, that may be used in the donor’s giving strategy; applies knowledge of TNC programming to interactions with donors and gift asks.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Annual fundraising goal of $250,000 or more from individuals, prioritizing new relationships, along with specific targets for identifying new planned giving intentions. 

• Manages and refines a portfolio of 85 – 100 individuals and private foundations with capacity of making major gift commitments and is responsible for 70 – 100 meetings and 100 – 150 moves annually. 

• Acts independently within broad program goals to prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and exercises independent judgment to identify and solve problems. 

• Ensures quality and consistency of development and campaign messages through a variety of channels including fundraising/major gift proposals, e-communications, solicitations, cultivation and stewardship communications. 

• Persuasively communicates the mission of TNC to diverse groups through storytelling and facts. 

• Ensures compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements. 

• Financial responsibility includes meeting fundraising objectives and working within a budget.  

• Maintains accurate and relevant data in TNC’s CRM for portfolio management.  

• Travels frequently, primarily within the state, and works longer hours as needed. 

• Work environment often involves outdoor interactions, including hikes and visits to field sites. Difficult terrain and inclement weather conditions are avoided whenever possible. 

• Does not supervise any staff but may manage work of peers on cross-departmental project teams. 

• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines. 

• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals. 

What You’ll Bring:

• A passion for advancing the mission of The Nature Conservancy. 
• At least three years of progressive and successful fundraising experience working directly with donors or equivalent (e.g. sales).  
• Demonstrated experience building high-quality relationships with donors and volunteers such as Board members. 
• Proven experience generating reports and analyzing and interpreting data. 
• Experience managing and tracking prospects and donors. 
• Experience working collaboratively across departments. 
• Demonstrated experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree or equivalent credential. 
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. 
• Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work. 
• Ability to implement and coordinate fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation, and recognition plans. 
• Demonstrated experience using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate staff and donors. 
• Knowledge of current trends, laws, ethics, and best practices associated with charitable giving. 
• Strong negotiating and organizational skills. 
• Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning. 

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!