Donor Relations Director

The Salvation Army's Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division is located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The division is home to 26 Worship and Community Centers (Corps), 67 service extension units, a camp, as well as multiple homeless shelters, thrift stores and food pantries. Service extension units are branches of The Salvation Army in communities where Corps are not located but service is provided by committees of volunteers. As a whole, our organization is made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, adherents, employees, volunteers and other individuals all working together to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, as well as working to meet the physical needs of those less fortunate. The Salvation Army Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division is the administrative unit which provides services to people in need in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. We are an organization dedicated to Doing the Most Good in your community! Apply now! The Donor Relations Director plays an integral role in the success of the Division's fund development efforts, specifically through ongoing and proactive relationship management, strategic communications, written plans, gift cultivation, and solicitation activity with an assigned caseload of qualified major donors. Will identify, qualify, be assigned, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift donors acting as the primary contact between The Salvation Army and the assigned caseload, with an emphasis on securing gifts of $5,000 and higher, increasing major gifts to The Salvation Army while retaining and strengthening existing giving. Provides excellent customer service to donors. About the role: * Establishes, manages and fulfills a caseload communications plan, including individual fund raising goals and personalized strategies, to effectively steward, educate, cultivate and solicit gifts from major donors each fiscal year, with an emphasis on gifts of $5,000 and higher. * Manages a caseload of 150 or more qualified major donors. Maintains and seeks to engage with an additional prospective donors as assigned, following a communications plan that is specific to each donor and prospect. * Meets agreed upon activity and income production goals both monthly and annually. Is purposeful about every visit and communication as well as the desired outcome for each of these "touchpoints." * Leads in one-to-one solicitation, gift acknowledgement and stewardship communication, establishing and maintain excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including Army staff and/off volunteer leadership as appropriate. * Works with prospect research manager at THQ or its designate and local staff who are trained in research to develop donor profiles to inform "moves management" strategies and planning conversations. * Meets regularly with immediate supervisor and territorial major gifts management or their designate to discuss and refine caseload plans, donor strategies, to track progress, to receive coaching, and to keep open lines of communication. * Participates in divisional major gift team meetings, recommended professional training, conference calls with other major gifts staff, conference kindred sessions and other professional development opportunities. * Works in close conjunction with other fund development officers, pursuing and contributing to harmonious collaboration between direct marketing, social media, foundation, corporation, and planned giving staff for optimal integrated strategies in regard to major donor communications as well as overall department initiatives. * Works in close collaboration with local officers, program, finance and fund-raising staff to present local Army resource development needs that relate to the community in which donors and prospects live. Are responsive to each donor's unique interests and attentive to fiduciary responsibilities. * Works in collaboration with program, finance, development and graphic design/communications, and admin support staff to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities that document funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, potential/real outcomes, shortfalls and mission advancement opportunities. Presents these opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with Army service delivery advancement needs. * Makes it a priority to take donors on site visits to tour Army programs and to facilitate face-to-face briefings of donors by Army leaders. * Supports and contributes to overall territorial policies, business practices and strategies to continually increase major gifts revenue and program growth (as requested). * Keeps Senior Donor Relations Director or their designate apprised of all significant interactions, inputting contact reports to the donor database system after each "touch", sharing a continually updated itinerary, and fulfilling all reporting requirements. Consults with Senior Donor Relations Director regarding organizational priorities, to develop strategies that benefit both donor and the Army, and to troubleshoot challenging situations. * Makes effective use of special events and other initiatives to engage with assigned donors to bring them closer to the Army and deepen their awareness of the impact of the Army's work, especially in areas of interest to them. Participates in such opportunities alongside caseload constituents. * Maintains updated donor files, tracking spreadsheets, database reports, correspondence and gift acknowledgments, in keeping with department policies and procedures. Documents all donor interactions through activity tasks in the database and according to established business practices. Carries out any office and computer-related tasks important to fulfilling the goals of the position. * Communicates with Corps Officers on regular basis about donor contacts providing quarterly financial reports from Salesforce or Major Gifts. * Plays a key role in capital campaigns by collaborating with development staff and consultants to cultivate and steward prospects for the campaign, while ensuring alignment with donor's philanthropic interests. Education: Bachelor's degree, preferably in non-profit management, organizational management, marketing, business administration, or related area. Certifications: Valid Wisconsin driver's license with clearance to drive from TSA insurance. Experience: Five years of experience in a non-profit fundraising role with a proven track record of one-on-one donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply. Who we are: Our Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by the love of God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination. Why work for us? The Salvation Army's brand promises to Do the Most Good - and it's our employees that help us get there. At every level, you can have a real impact on your community through the work done inside our walls every day. We are as impassioned about our employees as we are about our mission to help anyone in need without discrimination. Our culture reflects this quality, which makes our offices a seriously great place to work. Just walk inside our doors and you'll quickly see that our employees are proud to support programs that make a difference. The Salvation Army recognizes that peace of mind is important to employees and their families. Because of this, we offer : * Competitive Salary * Flexible schedules and a casual dress environment * Generous paid time off benefits (vacation, sick time, personal time, and 11 paid holidays) * Tuition reimbursement * Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 support, resources, and referrals to help you in your work and personal life * Insurance benefits: excellent health, dental, vision, life, disability * Discounts available for pet insurance, auto insurance, and home insurance Full-time employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week will be eligible for full benefits, including health, dental, vision and hearing benefits, basic and voluntary life benefits, holiday pay and paid time off, which is pro-rated based on their regularly scheduled work week. Exempt Employees: Health, dental, vision, and hearing benefits, as well as basic and voluntary life benefits, will begin on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Compensation: At The Salvation Army - We honor the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We are dedicated to fair pay practices, ensuring equal compensation for equal work, regardless of gender, race, or other factors. Be part of something meaningful. Whether you're supporting those in need, assisting with disaster relief, or working in areas like finance or fundraising, each role offers a chance to make a lasting impact. If you're looking to align your career with your values, explore opportunities at The Salvation Army and help us create a brighter, more inclusive future for all. Compensation: $76,607 - $80,000/year, based on experience.

Created: 2026-04-15