Donor Relations Associate

Donor Relations Associate | Search for Good is conducting a search for JAZZ HOUSE KiDS for Donor Relations Associate.

• Salary Range - $60,000 - $75,000
• On-site Location
• Full Time Schedule (40 hours)
• 4-Year Degree Required

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS seeks a Donor Relations Associate to join its Development Department to round out its fundraising professional team. They will report to the Associate Director of Development and work to achieve the organization's annual fundraising goals to transform the lives of young people through jazz and strengthen communities. The successful candidate will be experienced, diligent, and outgoing, and will support the rapidly expanding activities in the fast-paced Development Department of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS. This nationally recognized, community arts organization promotes diversity and inclusion. We remove barriers that stand in the way of students’ participation in music and their resulting growth and joy. We also do whatever it takes to build tomorrow’s community leaders and global citizens through jazz and keep our promise to serve all students regardless of their financial circumstances.

The Donor Relations Associate is a passionate and detail-oriented individual who supports JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ giving and efforts and is focused on donor care and gift management. The candidate for this role will have excellent organization, time management, customer service and communication skills. They will oversee a portfolio of micro donors and our Friends of the Festival member fans. The Donor Relations Associate will play a critical role in helping to maintain the back-office functions of the Development Department, and the stewardship and cultivation activities.

The successful candidate will have the satisfaction of contributing to a creative, highly visible music education and performance organization, and being part of a collaborative effort to develop the next generation of music makers, community leaders and global citizens.

This position will include periodic weekend and evening work - related to concerts, special programs, and fundraising initiatives. This is a Montclair, New Jersey-based position.

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We welcome applications from BIPOC candidates, women, and others underrepresented in jazz. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know.

HOW YOU’LL HELP

The Donor Relations Associate will assist with implementing key development department activities foundational to achieving annual contributed income revenue goals. They will also support medium and long-term growth targets while working alongside top professionals in the field of fundraising and engagement. These include the Head of Philanthropy, the Director of Individual Giving, the Associate Director of Development Operations and Corporate Relations, and Grants Specialist. The successful candidate will play a key role in this department's mandate to advance the mission of the organization through its fundraising efforts. In addition, this position will work closely on major signature events, including the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, produced by the JAZZ HOUSE, the largest free jazz festival in the region, and our 20th Anniversary Instrument for Change Campaign.

Gift Management and Database System, (approximately 40% of time)

• Responsible for the overall data hygiene and timely gift processing for the Development Department
• Process gifts and enter data in Bloomerang, create new records, enter revisions and updates, add notes and actions, code gifts, send donor acknowledgements, generate mailing lists, run queries and reports, and file all donor documentation and correspondence
• Oversee the quality and accuracy of data pulled from Bloomerang to ensure accuracy in Google sheets, and Constant Contact emails, donor segmentation for mail, donor phone calls and personal follow-ups, and digital campaigns, including proficiency in maintaining dynamic database queries
• Management of data queries in support of fundraising and cultivation campaigns across all channels, including direct mail, email, digital advertising, and events
• Ensure accurate campaign tracking across all channels by creating, managing, and implementing source codes to track behavior and revenue, and ensure accurate data analysis for testing results and fundraising strategies
• Track and coordinate donor correspondence (pledge reminders, acknowledgements, birthday cards, renewing/retaining one-time donors and acquiring new donors)
• Support the reconciling of donations with the finance department
• Other duties as assigned

Day-to-Day Development Department Coordination, (approximately 35% of time)

• Support the Associate Director of Development in the coordination of the day-to-day tasks to identify, solicit, cultivate, steward, and acknowledge individual, institutional, and corporate donors
• Support the President and Head of Philanthropy, as needed, in the cultivation and solicitation of major donors through research, communication tracking, and gift acknowledgement
• Assist with donor communications including acknowledgments, stewardship reports, annual appeals, and reports on programs etc.
• Provide support for requests to corporate and institutional funders as needed
• Assist the Associate Director of Development in maintaining the Development Department calendar and associated tasks in ASANA
• Record incoming pledges and gifts and generate acknowledgment letters
• Supporter campaigns and fundraising events
• Assist the grant specialist with the timely fillings and preparation of grant proposal packages and reporting

 Donor Care, Prospecting and Event Support, (approximately 25% of time)

• Maintain good relationships with JAZZ HOUSE supporters by providing high level personalized donor cultivation and stewardship
• Support corporate sponsorship outreach and solicitation effortsEnsure sponsors are engaged and satisfied and their benefits fulfilled
• Oversee the execution of letters of agreement and acknowledgment letters
• Provide on-going corporate and individual donor prospecting supportSupport donor related events and manage event ticketing and RSVP process
• Assist with digital donor outreach, social media support and online monetization initiatives
• Assist in coordination of fundraising events providing event implementation and support
• Oversee a portfolio of micro donors and fans of the JAZZ HOUSE
• Attend JAZZ HOUSE KiDS events, meetings, and functions as needed
• Respond to website and phone donor inquiries as needed

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of 3 years of non-profit work experience in a supporting role, ideally in a fundraising capacity
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in database management, entry, tracking, analysis and reporting and familiarity with database/CRM database technology; Bloomerang database is a plus
• Advanced computer skills, Google spreadsheets, Word, Excel, Power Point and Google Suite
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management, organization, problem-solving and research skills with a strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively and work with tight deadlines
• Knowledge and experience in donor relations and handling gifts
• Experience with grants, annual appeals and gala campaigns preferred
• Special event development and fundraising experience highly preferred including experience with ticket management database, in-kind gift management, and donor fulfillment
• Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills and written communication skills, including proofreading
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (i.e., colleagues, donors, and volunteers)
• Occasionally required to work a flexible schedule including evenings, holidays, and weekends
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Commitment to JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ mission
• Successful completion of a national background check

Personal Characteristics

• Passionate advocate for the value of arts education and youth development
• An appreciation for jazz, an advocate of the arts
• Positive attitude, showing concern for people and community, and interest in working with diverse communities
• Demonstrate self-confidence, common sense, and excellent listening skills
• Embrace the mission and core values of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS
• Value a diverse and inclusive team at the JAZZ HOUSE KiDS
• Persuasive and articulate communicator who is able to connect with a broad spectrum of people in a meaningful way
• Ability to communicate the organization’s mission and interests to a broad audience
• Able to energize and engage potential supporters
• Emotionally mature, with a sense of humor to maintain balance and perspective

FULL-TIME BENEFITS

• Full time - Nonexempt position
• Company contribution to medical, dental and vision for employee, and an option to add dependents at employee expense
• Paid Time off (2 weeks); Paid Holidays (9); Ad hoc Bonus Days (5) Sick Days
• Professional Development
• Office-wide remote work opportunities as coordinated
• Business Attire/Business Casual
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Concert tickets and access value music related activities
• Free music classes for your children if applicable

How to Apply: Qualified candidates should email a cover letter, resume and writing samples to katherinewdefoyd@gmail.com. Please include Donor Relations Associate in the subject line. No phone calls, please.