Job Title: Senior Associate, Donor Relations - Battle Creek & Kalamazoo
Group/Team: Resource Development
Reports To: Major and Planned Gifts Officer
Status: Full-time (37.5 hours)
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Minimum Salary: $52,800
As a
Senior Associate of Donor Relations, you play a vital role in securing funding to advance our mission by building and strengthening relationships with mid-level donors ($500-$5,000). You'll serve as the bridge between donor investment interest and the organization's impact - understanding their passions, deepening their engagement, and guiding them toward greater philanthropic impact.
The ideal candidate is adaptable, flexible, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. Fundraising is dynamic, and success in this role requires a deep alignment and passion for our mission, a results-focused mindset, the ability to adjust strategies as needed, and a commitment to building authentic relationships.
As a publicly visible member of the team, you will actively learn about and engage with your assigned communities, including participating in local meetings, events, and activities, to serve as a representative of UWSCMI.
With a strong focus on equity and ethical fundraising, you'll ensure that donor cultivation is both inclusive and effective through building relationships, demonstrating cultural humility, and focusing on community centric fundraising practices. Your work will enhance donor stewardship, expand giving opportunities, and strengthen the pipeline for transformational philanthropy. This work supports the UWSCMI path of lifting our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.
Your success will directly contribute to annual fundraising goals-helping us create lasting change in the community. If you're passionate about relationship-building, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are ready to make an impact in our community, this role is for you.
The Senior Associate, Mid-Level Giving - Battle Creek & Kalamazoo position offers hybrid work opportunities and can be located out of the (a) Kalamazoo or (b) Battle Creek offices. Routine travel within your assigned region is required. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
- Contribute to an equitable, diverse and inclusive organizational culture that centers people in every solution, process and function.
- Support ALICE households by sharing the impact of United Way's work in a way that is culturally responsive, rooted in equity, and aligned with our mission; this includes using inclusive, strengths-based communication and fostering relationships built on dignity and trust.
- Donor Relationship Management and Cultivation:
- Set individualized goals for each donor in the assigned portfolio (500-700 mid-level donors) based on giving history, engagement, and affinity in collaboration with leadership and the Resource Development team.
- Cultivate donor relationships through personal visits and direct engagement to meet performance targets.
- Implement year-round engagement strategies for donors giving between $500-$5,000.
- Support donor research, cultivation, and solicitation for major and planned gifts in coordination with leadership.
- Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment in donor stewardship and fundraising strategies.
- Strategic Communication and Donor Stewardship:
- Develop and execute personalized strategic communication plans tailored to donor interests and communication preferences.
- Work cross-functionally with communications, marketing, community impact, and grants teams to develop compelling donor outreach and stewardship reports.
- Partner with finance and program teams to track donor fund usage and effectively communicate impact.
- Donor Pipeline Development and Transitions:
- Identify opportunities to transition donors to major or planned giving and facilitate seamless hand-offs per organizational procedures.
- Expand the donor base beyond traditional corporate campaign participants and collaborate with the workplace team to identify prospects who desire to have a deeper relationship with UWSCMI.
- Donor Data Management and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM, document key interactions, and ensure confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Provide progress reports as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS - Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and ability to apply anti-oppressive and anti-racist principles in the workplace.
- Progressively responsible mid-level giving experience with demonstrated achievement growing programs, revenue and cultivating donor relationships.
- Formal education such as a bachelor's degree in business, non-profit management, public relations, marketing, sales, or related field or professional certification in major or planned giving or fundraising may substitute or supplement experiences to meet this requirement.
- Demonstrates high emotional intelligence and strong listening, written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to use and leverage technology/software and commitment to following tracking standards.
- Prior experience with CRM tools (i.e. salesforce, blackbaud, Andar, etc.) is strongly desired.
- Experience executing strategies that support the organization's values and strategic direction.
- Ability to take initiative and be creative in thinking and solutions. Strong presentation, public speaking and project management abilities.
- Maintain a deep understanding of and personal alignment for United Way of South Central Michigan programs and initiatives.
- Presence and confidence to project credibility to high-income prospects and donors.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Frequent sitting, standing and walking.
- Reliable transportation for local travel. Use of a personal motor vehicle for transportation requires proof of insurance, valid Driver's license, and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record standard.
- Occasional work outside of normal business hours.
- Successful completion of a criminal background check.
- Candidate must be able to work successfully in a remote environment with private office space and high-speed internet.
SALARY: All the roles within UWSCM have pay ranges that are commensurate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the successful candidate. The minimum salary for this position is $52,800.
ABOUT UWSCMI United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) gathers the power of three legacy organizations-Capital Area United Way, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and United Way of Jackson County-to mobilize financial and volunteer resources, partners, and voices, creating equitable and lasting change for the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Our vision: Strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving, and connected for the common good.
Our path: Our work lifts our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UWSCMI is committed to dismantling systemic inequities that continue to cause harm for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people, women, and people with disabilities. To do so, we are dedicated to building capacity and accountability into our policies, practices, and partnerships.
NOTE All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.
BACKGROUND CHECK DISCLOSURE We require background checks for certain roles. The checks are completed by ProScreening and results are only ever communicated to the Hiring Manager if they may impact someone's employment. We do not use prior arrests, only convictions. These convictions will only be considered as hiring criteria if they are directly connected to the roles & responsibilities of the job (for example, financial related convictions for a finance officer). We know that the criminal legal system is not equitable, and negatively impacts marginalized communities - specifically people of color - at rates much higher than other identities. This is why our background check process is only in place for explicit situations.
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