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Donor Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pathfinder

Donor Development Manager

Washington, DC · On-site +1

Donor Development Manager Location: United States About Us: For nearly 70 years, Pathfinder International has been a catalyst for systems transformation, inclusive growth, and resilient communities ...

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How much do donor development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for donor development in the United States is $62,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,500.00 and $76,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is donor development?

Donor development refers to the process of building and nurturing relationships with donors to encourage their ongoing support for an organization or cause. This involves identifying potential donors, communicating the impact of their contributions, thanking them, and engaging them through regular updates and events. The goal is to create lasting partnerships that lead to repeat donations and increased engagement over time.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

High-level media jobs such as media executives, senior producers, and broadcast directors often earn $150,000 or more annually. These roles typically require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency with industry tools like editing software and content management systems.

What is a donor relations officer's salary?

A donor relations officer's salary typically ranges from $45,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and organization size. They often require strong communication skills and may work in nonprofit or fundraising environments with some roles offering additional benefits or bonuses.

What is the difference between Donor Development vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectDonor DevelopmentFundraising Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, marketing, or related fieldsOften requires a bachelor’s degree, sometimes with certifications in fundraising or nonprofit management
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, charities, educational institutionsNonprofits, community organizations, event-based settings
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining donor relationships to ensure ongoing supportPlanning and executing fundraising events and campaigns
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in nonprofit and charitable sectorsWidely used in nonprofit organizations for campaign support

While both roles are essential for nonprofit fundraising, Donor Development focuses on cultivating long-term relationships with donors, whereas a Fundraising Coordinator primarily manages specific campaigns and events. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign roles effectively and target the right skills for each position.

What are the top 5 happiest jobs?

While happiness varies by individual, roles in donor development often rank highly due to the rewarding nature of helping causes and building relationships. Jobs that involve meaningful work, positive work environments, and opportunities for personal growth tend to be associated with higher job satisfaction. Factors like strong team support, clear goals, and work-life balance also contribute to happiness in these roles.

How does a Donor Development professional typically collaborate with other departments within a nonprofit organization?

Donor Development professionals work closely with various teams such as marketing, communications, and program management to create cohesive fundraising strategies and ensure consistent messaging to donors. They often coordinate with finance to track contributions and ensure compliance with reporting requirements. Regular collaboration with senior leadership is also common to align donor engagement efforts with the organization’s mission and goals. This cross-functional teamwork helps maximize donor retention and growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Donor Development, and why are they important?

To excel in Donor Development, you need a strong background in fundraising, relationship management, and strategic communication, often supported by a degree in nonprofit management or a related field. Experience with donor management systems (CRMs), prospect research tools, and relevant certifications like CFRE are highly beneficial. Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and persuasive storytelling help build lasting relationships with donors. These abilities are crucial for securing funding, cultivating donor loyalty, and advancing the mission of the organization.

What is the highest paying job in a non-profit?

In non-profit organizations, executive roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Development Officer (CDO) tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures depending on the organization's size and funding. These positions require strong leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising skills, and compensation varies widely based on the organization's scope and location.
More about Donor Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Donor Development jobs? Cities with the most Donor Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Donor Development jobs? The most popular types of Donor Development jobs are:
What states have the most Donor Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Donor Development jobs include:
Donor Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Donor Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,039 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Donor Development Manager

Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

Indianapolis, IN • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

Job Announcement

Donor Development Manager

AGENCY DESCRIPTION: Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through eight branch offices. ILS is funded by the Legal Services Corporation, Indiana Civil Legal Aid Fund, United Ways, Area Agencies on Aging, and approximately 85 other funding sources.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER: ILS is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any category protected by law.
LOCATION: This position is located in the Indianapolis Indiana Legal Services office location with opportunities for a hybrid work schedule.
POSITION: Full-Time Donor Communications Manager
START DATE: TBD
JOB SUMMARY: Indiana Legal Services (ILS) seeks a strategic and collaborative Donor Development Manager to grow and manage the organization’s individual and corporate donor programs. This position has primary responsibility for managing the day-to-day execution of donor strategies, including campaigns, stewardship, and prospect identification and cultivation, and plays a central role in coordinating and implementing development operations. The Donor Development Manager reports to the Chief Development and Communications Officer and works in close partnership with development, program, and the senior leadership team. This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week). This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Individual Donor Strategy and Stewardship: 30%
  • Design and execute strategies for annual, mid-level, and major donor pipelines, with clear segmentation and moves management plans
  • Lead donor retention and upgrade efforts, including LYBUNT analysis and targeted stewardship
  • Identify and research new individual prospects, build and maintain a robust pipeline, and prepare briefing materials for the CDCO and ED.
  • Support the Chief Development Officer and Executive Director in major donor cultivation and stewardship (i.e., manage “up” to ensure that the CDCO and ED are engaged at the strategic level of prospect cultivation, donor stewardship, and major gift solicitations)
  • Track and report on donor engagement and satisfaction to inform retention and upgrade strategies
  • Build and implement a comprehensive stewardship calendar across donor levels and types
  • Collaborate with the Donor Communications Manager to inform donor communication strategies by providing insight on audience segmentation and messaging concepts to ensure alignment with engagement goals and fundraising priorities.
  • Partner with communications and program staff to ensure storytelling and messaging reflect mission impact and donor interests
  • Personalize stewardship touchpoints and ensure timely thank-yous and acknowledgments
  • Monitor donor feedback and giving patterns to continually refine stewardship and communication strategies
  • Support the CDCO in engaging the board in individual and corporate fundraising efforts by preparing donor lists, briefing materials, and follow-up plans for board outreach to prospects and sponsors
Donor Development Operations and Systems: 30%
  • Serve as project manager for all aspects of development operations related to individual and corporate giving
  • Maintain CRM structure to support segmented donor management and accurate tracking
  • Create and enforce data entry protocols, including documentation of procedures for the Executive Assistant and other staff users
  • Coordinate with the Executive Assistant to ensure timely and accurate entry of gifts and donor information, regular reconciliation with finance, and production and mailing of thank-you letters and tax receipts
  • Generate donor dashboards, campaign (solicitation) performance reports, retention analysis, and other reports (such as annual Donor Acquisition, LYBUNT/SYBUNT, etc.) to support strategic decision-making
  • Ensure compliance with donor acknowledgment policies, privacy requirements, and internal tracking expectations
  • Identify and help implement tools or technology to improve donor tracking, reporting, and stewardship
Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: 30%
  • Identify, cultivate, and solicit corporate donors and law firm sponsors
  • Develop sponsorship materials and manage fulfillment of sponsor benefits
  • Maintain regular contact and reporting for existing corporate partners
  • Explore and support development of broader corporate partnerships, such as pro bono and employee giving opportunities
  • Identify and research new corporate prospects, build and maintain a robust pipeline, and prepare briefing materials for the CDCO and ED.
  • Collaborate with Pro Bono Program staff on corporate partnerships strategy
Donor Events and Engagement: 10%
  • Participate in all donor-related events including fundraising gatherings, stewardship receptions, and small cultivation events
  • Track event performance metrics including ROI, donor participation, and post-event giving
Other Expectations
  • Help foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization by modeling donor-centered practices and encouraging staff participation in stewardship
  • Professionally represent ILS in communications with funders.
  • Undertake special projects and provide support to the development department,
    as assigned by the CDCO.
  • Participate in on-going training and professional development.
  • Participate in regular team meetings and collaborate effectively with other members of the development team.
COMPENSATION: Starting salary is $50,562 with a range up to a maximum of $67,324 depending on experience. ILS offers an excellent fringe benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx), disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, a flex benefit plan and generous vacation and sick leave. ILS will pay up to $2,500 in moving expenses if the successful applicant needs to move from another city to assume this position.

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