Manager, ULI Foundation Donor Relations

Overview The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization. The Institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide representing the spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines. The mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Base pay range $78,986.00/yr - $90,000.00/yr Position Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer — The officer strengthens relationships with ULI Foundation donors through engagement, recognition, and stewardship. Reports to the Executive Vice President of Special Projects and works with cross-functional teams to design and implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy that deepens donor trust and demonstrates impact of philanthropic contributions. As a member of the Foundation team, the Officer partners with fundraising, finance, communications, and program teams to ensure accurate and inspiring donor experiences across the giving cycle. This role manages high-level recognition initiatives, oversees Society-level engagement programs, and coordinates exclusive donor experiences, aligning stewardship activities with ULI’s mission, values, and brand. Responsibilities In partnership with the EVP, Special Projects, develop and implement a comprehensive, tiered donor stewardship strategy for all giving levels (annual, major, principal, legacy, and foundation/corporate donors). Create and manage personalized stewardship plans for top donors, with emphasis on gifts of $250,000 and above. Collaborate with program and finance teams to collect accurate program data and outcomes for donor reports. Partner with Marketing and Communications to design and format annual stewardship reports that align with ULI’s brand and storytelling goals. Maintain a stewardship calendar to ensure timely delivery of impact updates and engagement opportunities. Track and analyze donor engagement metrics; use insights to refine strategies and improve the donor experience. Coordinate with development and data teams to segment donor audiences and tailor approaches. Donor Acknowledgment & Recognition Oversee timely, accurate, and personalized donor acknowledgments for all giving levels, ensuring alignment with donor intent and standards. Develop scalable stewardship tools (email templates, digital impact reports, video messages) for mid-level and annual donors. Create and manage systems for recurring acknowledgments, including templates and fulfillment processes. Manage pledge tracking, gift fulfillment, and follow-up communications to keep donors engaged. Lead special recognition initiatives (holidays, anniversaries, milestones, personalized outreach). Ensure appropriate public and private recognition of donors in partnership with communications and events teams. Society Engagement & Donor Experiences Design and manage stewardship and benefit programs for Society-level donors (Governors and Governors Plus). Plan and execute exclusive donor experiences (e.g., study tours, receptions, briefings) with a minimum of two national and one international engagement annually for Governors Plus. Collaborate with communications and events teams to ensure seamless donor benefits and experiences. Identify opportunities to elevate Society engagement through tailored programming and recognition. Data & Systems Oversight Maintain donor records, tracking systems, and reporting tools to ensure accurate engagement information. Support donor cultivation and stewardship strategies with frontline fundraising staff. Collaborate to ensure donor-facing materials are polished and aligned with ULI’s values and messaging. Provide internal guidance and training to promote excellence in donor experience across departments. Board & Campaign Engagement Support planning and logistics for Foundation Board and campaign committee meetings, ensuring positive donor experiences. Contribute to campaign-related donor recognition and stewardship strategies, including naming opportunities and milestone communications. Other Duties Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the President or ULI leadership in support of the Foundation’s mission and priorities. Ensure all stewardship activities comply with donor intent, ethical fundraising standards, and applicable legal requirements. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in donor relations, fundraising operations, or nonprofit stewardship. Experience designing complex donor stewardship plans and high-value donor reports. Ability to collaborate across teams and lead internal processes. Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills. Proficiency in CRM platforms (e.g., NetFORUM, Salesforce, or similar). Familiarity with philanthropic compliance standards and donor recognition best practices. Preferred Qualifications Experience designing donor experiences such as high-level events or curated experiences. Background in philanthropic compliance or nonprofit governance. Understanding of ULI’s mission areas or experience in a membership-based nonprofit. Ability to work with senior executives, board members, and high-net-worth donors. Compensation The salary range for this position is $78,986 – $90,000. Actual compensation will be based on experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. This role includes ULI’s comprehensive compensation package and benefits. Application Instructions To apply, please follow the link. Submit a résumé and a cover letter describing your interest and alignment with ULI’s mission. ULI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, non-citizenship or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by applicable law. EOE/m/f/d/v. No relocation reimbursement is offered at this time. Seniority level: Mid-Senior level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Other, Customer Service, and Business Development Industries: Real Estate, Non-profit Organizations, and Fundraising Note: This description reflects current responsibilities and requirements and may be subject to change at the discretion of ULI. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-08