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Donor Relations Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Rainbow Labs

Development Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Job Title Development Associate (AmeriCorps VISTA) Job Summary Rainbow Labs is seeking a mission ... Donor Relations & Stewardship * Assist in developing strategies to cultivate, engage, and retain ...

Chapman University

Be Seen First

Associate Director of Development

Orange, CA · On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Development, the Associate Director of Development ... Consult with University Advancement leadership and Donor Relations/Gift Administration colleagues ...

Rainbow Labs

Development Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Job Title Development Associate (AmeriCorps VISTA) Job Summary Rainbow Labs is seeking a mission ... Donor Relations & Stewardship * Assist in developing strategies to cultivate, engage, and retain ...

Rainbow Labs

Development Associate

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

Job Title Development Associate (AmeriCorps VISTA) Job Summary Rainbow Labs is seeking a mission ... Donor Relations & Stewardship * Assist in developing strategies to cultivate, engage, and retain ...

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All JobsDonor Relations Associate JobsDonor Relations Associate Jobs in California

Donor Relations Associate information

See California salary details

$34K

$50.7K

$64.6K

How much do donor relations associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for donor relations associate in California is $50,681.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,400.00 and $56,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a donor relations associate do?

A donor relations associate helps build relationships between the philanthropy community and worthy causes. In this role, your responsibilities include fundraising and developing strategies to meet financial goals. Duties involve organizing and planning events and identifying potential donors and other opportunities. You may solicit a prospect for a gift or handle administrative tasks such as applying for grants or overseeing promotions and advertising. You assist other team members with press releases, media contacts, and other public relations activities. This job may also involve frequent travel.

What does a donor relations associate do?

A Donor Relations Associate is responsible for maintaining and strengthening relationships with donors to ensure their continued support of an organization. This role typically involves acknowledging donations, organizing donor events, managing donor databases, and communicating updates and impact stories to donors. They work closely with fundraising teams to personalize outreach and ensure donors feel valued. The position is crucial for building long-term donor loyalty and supporting the organization’s financial sustainability.

How does a donor relations associate typically collaborate with other departments within a nonprofit organization?

A Donor Relations Associate works closely with teams such as fundraising, communications, and program staff to ensure effective donor stewardship and engagement. They often coordinate with the fundraising team to track gift acknowledgments and donor recognition efforts, and collaborate with communications to craft personalized messages for donors. Additionally, they may partner with program staff to gather impact stories and updates to share with supporters. This cross-departmental teamwork helps maintain strong relationships with donors and supports the organization's overall mission.

What is the difference between Donor Relations Associate vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectDonor Relations AssociateFundraising Coordinator
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining donor relationshipsPlanning and executing fundraising campaigns
ResponsibilitiesDonor communication, acknowledgment, stewardshipEvent planning, donor outreach, campaign management
Required SkillsCommunication, relationship management, CRM proficiencyOrganizational skills, event planning, communication
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, development departmentsNonprofits, fundraising firms, development teams

While both roles support nonprofit fundraising efforts, the Donor Relations Associate primarily focuses on maintaining strong relationships with existing donors through communication and stewardship. In contrast, the Fundraising Coordinator is more involved in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and events. Both roles require excellent communication skills and familiarity with nonprofit environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

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Donor Relations Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Donor Relations Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,681 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship

Ncphilanthropy

San Marcos, CA • On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Development, the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive donor engagement and stewardship program designed to strengthen donor relationships, demonstrate the impact of philanthropy, and inspire continued investment in California State University San Marcos. The Director develops and implements innovative stewardship strategies that enhance the donor experience through meaningful engagement, personalized outreach, timely acknowledgment, impact reporting, recognition programs, and donor-centered communications. Working collaboratively across University Advancement and the university, the Director ensures donors experience exceptional stewardship at every stage of their philanthropic journey.

Serving as a strategic partner to frontline development officers and leadership and annual giving program, the Director advances fundraising success by developing individualized stewardship plans for annual, major and principal gift donors, identifying meaningful engagement opportunities, and implementing scalable stewardship processes that deepen donor relationships and increase retention. The Director leads efforts to strengthen stewardship infrastructure through process improvement, stewardship standards, donor recognition programs, and data-informed practices while partnering with University Communications, Advancement Services, Fund Administration, and campus leadership to deliver coordinated, high-quality donor experiences that reflect the university’s mission and philanthropic priorities.

The Director supervises the stewardship team and cultivates a culture of gratitude across the university by equipping colleagues with stewardship tools, best practices, and innovative approaches to donor engagement. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and continuous assessment, the Director ensures stewardship activities not only acknowledge generosity but also foster long-term donor loyalty, increased philanthropic investment, and lasting partnerships that advance the university’s mission.

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