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Donor Development Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Development Director Effective Date: 10/01/2025 Pay Rate: $60,000 Position Overview: The ... Donor Portfolio Management - Time allocation: 40% * Identify and cultivate donors with the capacity ...

Development Manager

Dallas, TX · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

The Development Manager will own a qualified donor portfolio, develop and advance funding opportunities, lead donor engagement strategy, support campaign execution, and partner across departments to ...

Development Manager

Dallas, TX · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

The Development Manager will own a qualified donor portfolio, develop and advance funding opportunities, lead donor engagement strategy, support campaign execution, and partner across departments to ...

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Donor Development Manager information

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$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do donor development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for donor development manager in the United States is $77,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Donor Development Manager?

A Donor Development Manager is a fundraising professional responsible for building and maintaining relationships with donors to support an organization's mission. They identify potential donors, develop strategies to engage and steward current supporters, and coordinate fundraising campaigns and events. Their work often involves communicating the impact of donations, managing donor databases, and ensuring a positive donor experience. Donor Development Managers play a key role in securing financial resources for nonprofits, charities, or educational institutions.

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

To thrive as a Donor Development Manager, you need a solid background in fundraising, relationship management, and strategic planning, often supported by a degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management software (such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce) and experience with CRM systems and fundraising analytics are typically essential. Exceptional interpersonal skills, persuasive communication, and emotional intelligence help in building lasting donor relationships and securing major gifts. These skills are crucial for cultivating donor loyalty, achieving fundraising targets, and advancing organizational missions.

What is the difference between Donor Development Manager vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectDonor Development ManagerFundraising Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in donor relations or fundraisingBachelor's degree, entry-level fundraising experience
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, charities, educational institutionsNonprofits, community organizations, event planning teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations focusing on donor relations and major giftsUsed in organizations managing fundraising events and campaigns

The Donor Development Manager typically has more experience and focuses on building relationships with major donors and securing large gifts. The Fundraising Coordinator often handles event planning and campaign support. Both roles are essential in nonprofit fundraising but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by Donor Development Managers in building and maintaining long-term donor relationships?

Donor Development Managers often face the challenge of balancing personalized engagement with a large portfolio of donors, ensuring each donor feels valued while meeting fundraising targets. Another common challenge is adapting communication strategies to suit diverse donor preferences and motivations. Additionally, maintaining accurate records and tracking donor interactions can be demanding, particularly in organizations with limited resources. Overcoming these challenges typically involves effective use of CRM systems, strong collaboration with fundraising and communications teams, and ongoing professional development.
More about Donor Development Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Donor Development Manager jobs? Cities with the most Donor Development Manager job openings:
What states have the most Donor Development Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Donor Development Manager jobs include:

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 33 rated wildlife parks and zoos


Job description

Position Summary
The Development Manager plays a key role in advancing the Cincinnati Zoo amp; Botanical Garden’s mission by strengthening relationships with individual donors and corporate partners through thoughtful stewardship, engagement, and program management.
This full-time position is responsible for managing corporate sponsorship fulfillment and engagement while also leading donor club strategy and mid-level donor development, including the Andrew Erkenbrecher Society. The role ensures that corporate partners and donors experience meaningful, mission-driven engagement that fosters long-term support and growth.
Working closely with the Director of Corporate Relations and the Director of Development amp; Donor Stewardship, this position supports the Zoo’s annual and campaign fundraising goals through strong relationship management, program execution, and strategic donor engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Development Strategy amp; Donor Program Management
  • Partner with the Director of Development amp; Donor Stewardship to develop and implement strategies that grow annual giving, donor retention, and campaign-related support.
  • Serve as the primary staff lead for the Andrew Erkenbrecher Society (AES), overseeing communications, engagement, events, stewardship, and overall program performance.
  • Lead the strategic evolution of donor clubs, including managing the transition and sunsetting of the Keeper Circle program and implementing enhancements to strengthen and modernize AES.
  • Develop and execute strategies to grow AES membership and revenue by at least 10% annually through acquisition, retention, and donor upgrades.
  • Manage and grow mid-level giving and donor participation programs—including donor clubs, campaign initiatives, and targeted fundraising efforts such as the Zoo’s brick paver program—to increase engagement, participation, and revenue.
  • Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors, cultivating relationships through personalized outreach, engagement opportunities, and targeted stewardship, and identify high-potential donors for advancement to Leadership or Major Giving.
  • Collaborate with the Donor Relations Manager and Director of Development amp; Donor Stewardship to leverage data and Blackbaud Analytics to identify, target, and acquire new Andrew Erkenbrecher Society (AES) members.
  • Track and analyze donor engagement, giving trends, and program performance, using data to inform strategy, improve retention, and guide future growth.
Corporate Partnerships Engagement amp; Administration
  • Manage the scheduling, tracking, and fulfillment of all corporate sponsorship benefits throughout the year.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for corporate partners regarding benefit utilization and engagement opportunities.
  • Proactively communicate with sponsors to ensure awareness and full utilization of available benefits.
  • Actively support corporate sponsor revenue goals for all key Zoo fundraising events including Zootanical, Zoofari, Zoo La La, Toast to the Wild, Cheetah Run, Hops amp; Holly and others as assigned.
  • Manage an assigned portfolio of existing sponsor relationships at the $10,000 (annually) level and below. Responsible for all aspects of sponsor relationship including stewardship, communications, billing and renewal.
    • Also responsible for achieving annual targets for new sponsor generation as assigned.
  • Coordinate sponsor experiences, including behind-the-scenes tours, onsite activations, VIP visits, ticket distribution, and recognition opportunities.
  • Maintain accurate and organized records of sponsorship agreements, benefits, and fulfillment timelines.
  • Manage invoicing for all corporate sponsors, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in coordination with internal teams.
  • Assist in preparing sponsor engagement summaries, reports, and renewal materials.
  • Identify and implement opportunities to enhance sponsor engagement through thoughtful, relationship-focused touches and “surprise and delight” moments.
Ideal Qualifications
Education amp; Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred.
  • 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit development, donor relations, sponsorship management, or a related field.
  • Experience managing donor programs, membership groups, or mid-level donor portfolios preferred.
  • Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge), ticketing platforms (e.g., Galaxy), and Microsoft Office applications.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Required Knowledge, Skills amp; Abilities
  • Strong alignment with the Zoo’s mission to Create Adventure, Convey Knowledge, Conserve Nature, and Serve the Community.
  • Demonstrated commitment to exceptional donor and sponsor stewardship.
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Professional demeanor with a strong customer-service mindset.
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and inform strategy.
  • Creativity and initiative in enhancing engagement and donor experiences.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments.
Working Conditions: Employment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment, post-offer drug amp; nicotine screen, background check. While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, lift, carry, and utilize manual dexterity to use computer mouse and keyboard and other office/studio equipment. Incumbent may be exposed to outside weather conditions and must be able to lift/move/carry up to 25 pounds without assistance. Requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours, as needed in support of Zoo activities; Requires a valid driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
Key Position Details amp; Benefits: This position is full-time, salaried-exempt, and eligible for the Zoo's benefit programs for non-union employees at the first of the month following date of hire. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee “Total-Well-Being,” including affordable medical dental amp; vision coverage; 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; company-paid disability amp; life insurance; generous paid time off (PTO), park discounts and free passes.
To Apply: Cover letter and resume should be attached to your online application.