Direct Hire Opportunity: Donor Relations Manager, Solar Sister

Nonprofit HR was retained by Solar Sister an award-winning nonprofit social enterprise that trains and supports local women entrepreneurs to deliver clean energy directly to homes in rural African communities to conduct the search for their Donor Relations Manager. They provide essential services and training that enable women to build sustainable businesses in their own communities. Solar Sister is a US nonprofit 501c3 based in Washington, DC with operations in Tanzania and Nigeria. Visit solarsister.org to learn more about the organization.

The Donor Relations Manager will lead and grow the organization’s fundraising efforts. They will lead the implementation of Solar Sister’s fundraising strategy and increase their contributed revenue with a focus on unrestricted gifts from foundations, corporations, government and individuals. The Donor Relations Manager will grow the base of support by thinking creatively about prospect identification and leveraging resources to attract and engage new donors, build visibility, and showcase the impact of donors’ investments. This position will report to the President/CEO. 

Responsibilities:

Develop and Manage Fundraising Pipeline

• Conduct pipeline research on prospective institutional, corporate and family foundations, and government funding programs to prioritize fundraising opportunities
• Collaborate with programmatic initiatives and internal departments to effectively design fundraising programs and proposals
• Oversee and manage a multi-year calendar of funding deadlines including Letters Of Inquiry, proposals, reports and other key major donor communications
• Build a healthy portfolio of restricted and unrestricted grants and gifts to grow Solar Sister’s impact

Implement Fundraising Strategy

• Work closely with the President/CEO to develop and implement the fundraising strategy to meet the needs of Solar Sister’s annual and 5-year goals. This new strategy should include clear plans for fundraising diversification.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy by working with and guiding Solar Sister staff, Board members, and donors, as needed
• Create key, performance-based fundraising metrics upon which program success can be evaluated and adjusted, as needed

External Relationship Management

• Guide donor communications strategy, ensure consistent brand message, and help to develop collateral materials
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and potential corporate, foundation, government funders
• Present funding opportunities to grantors/donors/prospects in support of the organization’s overall mission, programs, and other initiatives that may arise
• Develop and oversee the individual donor giving program to include: recurring giving program, planned giving program, capital campaigns, and other major fundraising drives
• Manage donor management database and maintain data integrity
• Work together with Solar Sister staff, board members, and donors to create and execute fundraising events
• Coordinate donor visits, communication and feedback process
• Represent and be a spokesperson for Solar Sister at meetings and events
• Prepare briefs for the President/CEO and/or Board members for donor meetings, calls and conferences
• Facilitate the work of the Board Fundraising Committee along with Committee’s chair
• Write and send letters of thanks to donors

Qualifications:

• BA required
• 3-5 years related experience
• Work experience with nonprofit programs and fundraising; knowledge of the international development funding landscape preferred
• Entrepreneurial, innovative, and demonstrates creativity in fundraising approach
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated interpersonal communication skills (especially as it relates to donor management)
• Superior organizational and time management skills; detail-oriented
• Ability to grasp new concepts quickly, absorb loads of complex information and condense it for donors and other audiences to understand
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to thrive in environment of with multiple projects/tasks
• Strong decision-making skills and results-oriented approach
• Demonstrated strong relationship-building and solicitation skills, with the ability to interact with a variety of internal and external professionals
• Ability to develop and manage team processes to meet client goals and steward collaborative success
• Strong ability to generate leads and grow the pipeline
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding financial goals from grants and major gifts portfolio
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and proven ability to raise significant five- and six-figure gifts from individuals, family foundations, government programs and major corporations
• Experience using Salesforce software for donor management a plus
• Self-motivated with ability to work with little direct supervision, prioritize, multi-task and maintain a high level of follow through and confidentiality
• Demonstrated interest in the mission, vision, and values of Solar Sister
• Willingness to occasionally travel to countries in Africa where we work

Benefits: 30 paid time off (PTO) days including 10 days at year end when the office is closed and health insurance.

How to apply:

For immediate consideration, please send cover letter and resume to the attention of Yvonne Rivera, Director, Talent Acquisition, Nonprofit HR, via email: yrivera@nonprofithr.com. Please include “Donor Relations Manager” in the subject line.

Solar Sister is an Equal Opportunity Employer