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Donor Relations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summer Search

Donor Relations Manager

Manhattan, NY

$87K - $93K/yr

DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER SUMMER SEARCH, NEW YORK CITY At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny.

Sound Generations

Donor Relations Manager

Seattle, WA · On-site

$82K/yr

The Donor Relations Manager oversees the individual donor giving program. The scope of work includes donor communications, prospect research, cultivation, and stewardship activities. This position ...

Boys Town

Donor Relations Associate

Omaha, NE · On-site

The Donor Relations Associate supports the organization's fundraising and stewardship efforts by building and maintaining positive relationships with donors. This role is responsible for coordinating ...

Summer Search LLC

Donor Relations Manager

New York, NY · On-site

$500K/yr

DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER SUMMER SEARCH, NEW YORK CITY At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny.

Boystown

Donor Relations Associate

Omaha, NE · On-site

The Donor Relations Associate supports the organization's fundraising and stewardship efforts by building and maintaining positive relationships with donors. This role is responsible for coordinating ...

TrueCare

Donor Relations Manager

San Marcos, CA · On-site

$80K - $121K/yr

The Donor Relations Manager manages initiatives through various marketing and communication strategies and donor database systems. The DRM collaborates closely with other departments, as well as ...

Cross Catholic Outreach

Be Seen First

Donor Relations Coordinator

Miami, FL · On-site

$60K - $71K/yr

Donor Relations Coordinator Department: Major Donors Reports to: Stewardship & Donor Relations Manager Position Location: (In-Office, Remote, Hybrid) Position Type: Exempt or Hourly (As determined by ...

NorthShore

Program Manager, Donor Relations

Evanston, IL · On-site

$35.16 - $54.50/hr

Program Manager, Donor Relations The Program Manager, Donor Relations, oversees a system-wide, comprehensive donor relations program that encourages donor loyalty and repeat and upgraded giving by ...

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How much do donor relations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for donor relations in the United States is $59,962.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is donor relations?

A Donor Relations job focuses on building and maintaining relationships with donors to ensure their continued support. Professionals in this role develop stewardship programs, communicate impact, and organize appreciation events to engage contributors. They often work closely with fundraising teams to retain donors and encourage long-term giving. Effective donor relations help strengthen an organization's financial stability and mission success.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in donor relations?

In a Donor Relations role, your daily tasks often involve communicating with donors through calls, emails, and personalized letters to express appreciation and keep them informed about the impact of their support. You'll maintain and update donor databases, coordinate thank-you events or recognition activities, and collaborate with fundraising and communications teams to develop donor stewardship strategies. It's common to track donation activity, generate reports, and help plan engagement campaigns. This variety ensures a dynamic workday focused on building and nurturing strong donor relationships to help advance the organization's mission.

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

To succeed in Donor Relations, you typically need a background in fundraising, communications, or nonprofit management, along with strong relationship-building abilities. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud) and experience using CRM software are often required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and persuasive written and verbal communication help you forge meaningful donor connections. These qualifications are critical for effectively engaging supporters, retaining donors, and securing ongoing philanthropic support for an organization.

How to get into donor relations?

To enter donor relations, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in fields like nonprofit management, communications, or related areas. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in fundraising or development helps build relevant skills such as communication, relationship management, and knowledge of donor databases like Raiser's Edge. Certifications in fundraising or nonprofit management can also enhance prospects.
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Infographic showing various Donor Relations job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $59,962 per year, or $28.8 per hour.

Donor Relations Manager

Manhattan, NY

Summer Search
Non-Profits • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Summer Searchexternal

$87K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER
SUMMER SEARCH, NEW YORK CITY
At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.
Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Donor Relations Manager is a key member of the Summer Search NYC development team and plays an essential role in advancing the Summer Search NYC’s fundraising goals through relationship-based philanthropy, thoughtful donor engagement, and strong execution.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Donor Relations Manager will serve as a critical partner to the Senior Director by translating fundraising strategy into action, maintaining strong donor engagement practices, and ensuring consistent progress toward revenue goals.
This role is ideal for a fundraiser who enjoys building authentic relationships, managing a portfolio, driving projects forward, and contributing to the systems and practices needed to build a high-performing development function. This hire will join a collaborative and mission-driven team of 18 Summer Search NYC staff.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Donor Relations Manager is a high impact role focused on managing a portfolio of individual donors and supporting the overall strategy and execution of the development function at Summer Search NYC. Specifically, the Donor Relations Manager will contribute in the following areas:
Portfolio Management: Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with an annual goal of approximately $500k through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with a focus on increasing engagement and philanthropic investment.
  • Build and maintain a qualified fundraising pipeline of approximately $500K.
  • Develop and execute donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
  • Partner with the Senior Director on major gift cultivation strategies and donor conversations.
  • Maintain disciplined moves management practices, including tracking outreach, engagement, next steps, and relationship progress in the CRM.
Fundraising Strategies: Support the execution of fundraising strategies and initiatives that advance annual revenue goals.
  • Support annual giving strategies designed to engage and retain individual donors.
  • Support major gift efforts through prospect research, donor preparation, cultivation activities, and follow-up.
  • Support the planning and execution of fundraising events, including the annual gala.
  • Partner with the Senior Director to evaluate fundraising progress and adjust strategies as needed.
Board Engagement: Support efforts to activate Board and Associate Board members as ambassadors and fundraising partners.
  • Support Associate Board engagement strategies, meetings, communications, and activities.
  • Provide tools, resources, and information that enable volunteer leaders to participate effectively in fundraising.
  • Partner with the Senior Director to strengthen volunteer engagement and relationship-building efforts.
Development Operations: Contribute to the systems and practices that enable a high-performing development function.
  • Prepare reports, tracking documents, and updates to support fundraising decision-making.
  • Support revenue tracking, pipeline reporting, and fundraising forecasting processes.
  • Contribute to improving development systems, workflows, and team practices.
Cross-Collaboration: Serve as a collaborative member of the Summer Search NYC community.
  • Partner with Program, Finance, Marketing, and other teams to support fundraising priorities.
  • Develop strong understanding of Summer Search’s impact, programs, and student outcomes.
  • Represent Summer Search NYC professionally with donors, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Contribute to a culture of accountability, learning, collaboration, and shared ownership.
WHO YOU ARE
The Donor Relations Manager position calls for a strong relationship builder with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and moving relationships forward. Specifically, this hire will bring:
  • EXPERIENCE: At least four years of experience in a development/ fundraising role with demonstrated success in cultivating an stewarding individual donors, and preferably, experience holding a portfolio of individual donors. Experience supporting or managing fundraising campaigns or development initiatives. Familiarity with NYC philanthropic networks and/or experience in youth development or education organizations are a plus.
  • RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: You partner with prospects and donors by building lasting relationships to support the organizational mission and meet fundraising goals.
  • PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You take initiative to create systems and structures to achieve goals and objectives. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track.
  • FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES: You approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens and are hands-on in translating strategy into tangible activities and goals. 
  • DATA MANAGEMENT: You are adept at the process of acquiring, validating, and managing accurate information within a shared system. You leverage databases to track donor data and organize information within the Development function.
  • TEAMWORK amp; COLLABORATION: You value many voices, are comfortable creating space for dialogue and handle interpersonal issues constructively. You inspire and foster commitment, connection, enthusiasm and trust and motivate others to achieve common goals.
  • TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Experience with a Development Moves Management system including creating reports and analyzing and tracking data is required. Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT is a plus.
In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.
LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
This is a hybrid position with at least 2 days a week of the in the office in Manhattan and up to 3days of remote work weekly. In addition, the DRM must be available for in-person donor meetings Monday through Friday as needed. The DRM must be able to travel as needed to meetings amp; events across the entire region, as well to staff/attend events outside of normal work hours, as needed.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Competitive and transparent salaries. This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $87,389 - $93,596. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.
Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:
  • Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
  • Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
  • 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
  • Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure).
  • Refresh Friday’s – a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
  • A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
  • A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
  • Individual, local, regional and national training
  • A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
  • An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
  • Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with critical consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.
TO APPLY
Select "Apply for this Position" below to submit a resume and targeted cover letter, addressed to Kristie Loftus, Managing Director of Development that answers the question, “Why are you interested in the Donor Relations Manager opportunity at Summer Search?” The initial deadline to apply to this position is Thursday, September 17. Applications submitted before this deadline will be prioritized and we may close to new applicants at or soon after this deadline.

SUMMER SEARCH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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