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Donor Development Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Executive Director

Stamford, CT · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Fosters growth and stability of the organization, including marketing, PR, and donor development. * Serves as a major representative of the organization to the staff, donors, the community and other ...

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Showing results 1-20

Donor Development information

See New York salary details

$23.5K

$67.8K

$125.7K

How much do donor development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for donor development in New York is $67,825.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,557.00 and $83,635.00 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.

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 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 5 stages of donor development?

In donor development, the five stages typically include identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal or upgrade. These stages guide nonprofit fundraisers and donor development professionals in building and maintaining strong relationships with donors to ensure ongoing support. Effective communication, data management, and relationship-building skills are essential throughout these stages.
Infographic showing various Donor Development job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,825 per year, or $32.6 per hour.

Writer, Donor Development Services and Capital Gifts

UJA

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$66K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

This position is responsible for preparing letters on behalf of the President and CEO, drafting acknowledgements for our most generous donors, crafting customized proposals and reports for capital projects and special initiatives, and writing various project descriptions and funding menus. This position will also develop other written communications as needed to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors and foundations.
Donor Development Services (DDS) and Capital Gifts & Special Initiatives (CGSI) are integral parts of UJA-Federation of New York's fundraising efforts, specifically focused on high-end donor engagement, customized relationship-building, and impactful philanthropy.
Major Responsibilities:
  • Write accurate, customized acknowledgement letter This will involve consultation with fundraising and programmatic staff to ensure accuracy of content
  • Liaise with Chief of Staff for organization and execution of CEO acknowledgement communications
  • Supervise DDS colleagues in writing chair and honoree letters, and obituaries
  • Implement organizational practices around letter preparation, review, and comprehensive review of database and donor files
  • Prepare reports for donors, as part of gift stewardship
  • Prepare compelling, detailed proposals tailored to donors' interests and capacity
  • Prepare general project descriptions and "sampler menus"
  • Collaborate with UJA-Federation planning professionals and network agency staff to gather information about capital projects and special initiatives
  • Draft talking points for various events such as dedications/ribbon cuttings and committee meetings
  • Create paid death notices for major donors
  • Draft letters or boilerplate paragraphs to fit new situations
  • Learn about other departmental functions and willingness to assist as needed
  • Work three days a week for DDS and two days a week for CGSI

Qualifications and Competencies:
  • Bachelor's Degree required and at least two years of related experience preferred
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Well organized and detail oriented
  • Flexibility to work with a wide variety of people representing different parts of the organization
  • Strong proficiency with MS Office Suite and ability to learn a complex database system
  • Enthusiastic with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to deal with organizational professionals
  • Ability to organize and write both formal proposals and informal communications
  • Ability to review and analyze a program budget
  • Ability to work well under pressure, and flexibility to shift gears and juggle assignments as needed
  • Familiarity with the non-profit field and organizational life
  • Familiarity with Jewish life and Israel is a plus
  • Ability to use Adobe Design Suite a plus
  • Curiosity and sense of humor a plus

Reports To: Director, Donor Development Services and Assistant Director, Capital Gifts & Special Initiatives
Salary Range: $66,500 - 68,500, commensurate with experience and qualifications listed above.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.