Donor Relations Director

About Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA)

The mission of Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CISLA’s vision is that every student in Los Angeles public schools receives the supports they need to develop the social, emotional, and learning skills required to graduate high school ready for meaningful employment or higher education. 

FLSA STATUS

Full-time, Exempt

REPORTS TO

Chief Development Director (CDD)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Donor Relations Director reports directly to the Chief Development Director (CDD) and works closely with other development and executive team members and board leadership. The Donor Relations Director will manage a portfolio of prospects and donors giving annual gifts of $10,000+. In addition, the Donor Relations Director will manage various aspects of our annual fundraising campaigns, board giving, the annual gala and other donor cultivation events and activities.  

The Donor Relations Director is responsible for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major donors and prospects through prospect research, meetings, site visits, events, and other activities. They will identify donor prospects through independent research and working with the Executive Director, CDD and Board of Directors. They will conduct exploratory meetings with prospects and lapsed donors to determine their capacity for giving and cultivate relationships with donors at a personal level. The Donor Relations Director will collaborate with program staff to conduct school site visits and other strategic events to actively engage donors and prospects. They will draft detailed program information and personalized reports. They will use CISLA’s CRM (Network for Good) to update donor information, produce and analyze reports, and cultivate donors. The Donor Relations Director will conduct donor visits and prepare monthly contact reports. They will use Asana to manage projects with several variables, develop a timeline, and ensure accountability. They will act independently within broad goals to prioritize tasks and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems. The Donor Relations Director will work remotely 75% of the time and travel locally, within Los Angeles County, to donor meetings, staff meetings/retreats, school site visits and events for the remaining 25%. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio & Pipeline Management (40%)

  • In consultation with the Executive Director, Chief Development Director and Board leadership, develop and manage a select portfolio of major donors and prospects giving annual gifts of $10,000+ to raise $300,000 each year from individuals (not including gala proceeds). 
  • Use Asana to create a comprehensive plan for each donor and prospect in the portfolio, including their individual goals, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. 
  • Record all interactions, post-meeting notes and outcomes promptly using Asana and Network for Good. 
  • Maintain up-to-date and accurate records for the Board and Donors. 
  • Meet portfolio goals including number of donor meetings and meaningful donor contacts.
  • Track portfolio activity and progress. Create monthly reports to accurately reflect portfolio activity and performance.

Donor Relations & Communications (40%)

  • Engage and retain individual donors at various levels of giving capacity. Move donors through the giving cycle, with an emphasis on acquisition, retention, and upgrades.  
  • Develop tailored pitches and impact reports for major donors, as well as tailored communication to ensure that they are kept up to date on key developments.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive moves management system, enabling the organization to track interactions with donors and prospects and leverage data to inform solicitation strategies.
  • Support the production of school site visits for all major donors and prospects throughout the year, varying in topics, staff and locations to match interests, and maximize outreach.
  • Develop an annual donor cultivation & campaign calendar.
  • Work with grants, program, and data staff to develop content/materials for individual donors/prospects, such as highly personalized proposals or stewardship reports that detail progress resulting from a gift.
  • Stay well-versed in the current work of CISLA and the field of education, locally and nationally, and be an effective representative of the organization.

Annual Event 20%

  • Develop an event plan and fundraising plan to meet event benchmarks and goals; secure sponsors of various levels to underwrite the event, and raise $400,000+ per year. 
  • Manage the board gala committees towards fundraising outcomes.
  • Work with an events consultant to manage event logistics and execution.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience fundraising for a non-profit organization; 
  • Proven track record with 2+ years of donor-centered fundraising experience and having solicited and closed gifts of $25,000 and above. 
  • Works independently and manages multiple projects effectively 
  • Experience building relationships with key organizational constituents such as donors, volunteers, board members and staff.
  • Self-starter, highly adaptable, strong organizational skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must.
  • Experience planning and executing an annual gala and other fundraising events. 
  • Excellent skills in MS Office (including SharePoint and Teams). 
  • Experience using project management platforms and CRMs, and a willingness to learn and effectively utilize Asana and Network for Good.
  • Available to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Criminal background check required
  • TB clearance, to be renewed every four years 
  • Must have access to reliable transportation. (A valid California driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance required when personal vehicle is used).
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required (digital record)

BENEFITS

  • Generous benefit package including: PTO/vacation, medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, cell phone reimbursement, etc. 
  • Paid most major holidays, office closed between Christmas and New Year’s. 

CISLA is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

Requirements

 QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience fundraising for a non-profit organization; 
  • Proven track-record with 2+ years of donor-centered fundraising experience and having solicited and closed gifts of $25,000 and above. 
  • Works independently and manages multiple projects effectively 
  • Experience building relationships with key organizational constituents such as donors, volunteers, board members and staff.
  • Self-starter, highly adaptable, strong organizational skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must.
  • Experience planning and executing an annual gala and other fundraising events. 
  • Excellent skills in MS Office (including SharePoint and Teams). 
  • Experience using project management platforms and CRMs, and a willingness to learn and effectively utilize Asana and Network for Good.
  • Available to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Criminal background check required
  • TB clearance, to be renewed every four years 
  • Must have access to reliable transportation. (A valid California driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance required when personal vehicle is used).
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required (digital record)

BENEFITS

  • Generous benefit package including: PTO/vacation, medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, cell phone reimbursement, etc. 
  • Paid most major holidays, office closed between Christmas and New Year’s. 

CISLA is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.  

Salary Description

$85,000 – $95,000 annually

APPLY HERE!