Illinois Donor Relations Manager

Chicago, IL, USA

#Li-hybrid

This is a full-time position based at our office in Chicago, Illinois with a possible hybrid work schedule.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Donor Relations Manager (DRM) is responsible for the identification and qualification of major and planned gift prospects and assists in cultivating and soliciting donors through meetings, trips, events, and other activities. They will move prospects capable of gifts of higher amounts to the prospect pool for management by senior fundraising staff and integration into the Moves Management process. They will work on a variety of activities including providing detailed program information to prospects and drafting personalized correspondence and acknowledgments. They use the Conservancy’s donor database to update donor information, produce reports, perform analysis, and track and cultivate donors. The DRM understands the basics of the influencing factors on donors and the types of assets that may be used for the donor’s giving; applies knowledge to interactions with donors and gift asks. They will capitalize on matching gift opportunities. The DRM may be responsible for staffing volunteers engaged in fundraising or related donor engagement projects.

Responsibilities & Scope:

• Act independently within broad program goals to prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
• Annual fundraising goal of $250,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
• Does not supervise any staff but may manage work of peers on departmental project teams.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
• Financial responsibility includes meeting fundraising objectives, working within a budget, and negotiating and contracting with vendors.
• Manage a portfolio of 75–125 individual donors with the capacity to make a gift up to $25,000 once the portfolio is developed and be responsible for 75–125 visits and 225–375 moves annually.
• Manage projects with several variables, set realistic deadlines, manage a timeline, and ensure accountability.
• Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Travel and work overtime as needed.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.
• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals.

This is a full-time position based at our office in Chicago, Illinois with a possible hybrid work schedule.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is seeking a Donor Relations Manager who’s passionate about fundraising to help convey TNC’s mission to diverse groups. No matter where you are in Illinois, whether walking along a tree-lined street or sitting on a combine harvester, birdwatching in the prairie or fishing along a river, we are all connected by nature. You will join a team of committed development professionals cultivating relationships and gifts with our amazing donors and corporate sponsors to support The Nature Conservancy’s priorities in Illinois and around the world.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience; or equivalent combination.
• Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.
• Experience generating reports and analyzing and interpreting the data.
• Experience in managing and tracking prospects and donors.
• Experience working across departments.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity, and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.
• Ability to implement and coordinate fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation, and recognition plans.
• Demonstrated experience using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate staff and donors.
• Direct fundraising experience.
• Knowledge of current trends in the charitable giving.
• Strong negotiating and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $73,200-$77,700 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 54703, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.