Donor Relations Manager

The mission of the Anchorage Museum is to be a museum for people, place, planet, and potential, in service of a sustainable and equitable North, with creativity and imagination for what is possible. We are a place of ideas and transformation, narratives and perspectives, resilient and relevant communities, responsive to a rapidly changing world toward a better future for all.

We welcome diverse perspectives and recognize all are enriched when a diversity of voices, viewpoints, and skills are included and engaged in the work we do.

Summary Position Statement

The Donor Relations Manager is a critical member of the Museum's Development team, responsible for cultivating and securing major gifts from individual donors, foundations, and other high-net-worth individuals. This role focuses on building and nurturing strong, long-term relationships with key supporters to advance the Museum's mission and ensure sustainable growth. The Manager will oversee a portfolio of major gift prospects and work collaboratively with senior leadership, staff, and volunteers to develop and execute personalized strategies that maximize philanthropic support. Additionally, the Manager will support efforts to engage and cultivate medium- and entry-level donors to ensure a robust pipeline of future major gift prospects.

Essential Functions

Major Gift Fundraising

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, focusing on gifts of $5,000 and above for both the Anchorage Museum and its endowment
• Create personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each donor in the portfolio.
• Solicit and secure major gifts from individuals, ensuring alignment with the Museum's funding priorities and objectives.
• Track progress against fundraising goals, ensuring timely follow-up and effective donor engagement.
• Serve as a principal solicitor in capital, endowment or other fundraising campaigns

Cultivation of Other Donors

• Assist in the cultivation of medium- and entry-level donors by developing engagement strategies that encourage increased giving and long-term support.
• Work with the Chief Development Officer and Director of Development Initiatives to implement tiered engagement strategies, ensuring that mid-level donors are transitioned into major gift prospects over time.
• Foster a culture of giving at all levels, ensuring that every donor feels valued and informed about the Museum's impact and needs.
• Organize targeted campaigns and appeals for mid-tier donors, using personalized communication to deepen relationships.
• Lead planned giving efforts to solicit and secure gifts for the future through various estate planning vehicles.

Relationship Management and Stewardship

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with current and potential donors, serving as a trusted point of contact for high-net-worth individuals.
• Ensure donors feel valued through personalized communication, recognition, and engagement strategies.
• Plan and execute donor recognition and stewardship events, including private tours, receptions, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
• Work closely with the Chief Development Officer to ensure donors' giving intentions are honored and fulfilled.

Collaboration and Strategy Development

• Collaborate with senior leadership, curatorial staff, and other departments to identify fundraising opportunities, such as exhibitions, programs, and capital campaigns.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer and Director of Development Initiatives to set annual and multi-year fundraising targets and goals for major gifts.
• Assist in the development of proposals, case statements, and other collateral materials to effectively communicate the Museum's needs and priorities.

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the museum's CRM system (or donor database).
• Provide regular reports on progress towards fundraising goals, donor engagement activities, and other key metrics to leadership.
• Analyze giving patterns and trends to inform ongoing fundraising strategies.

Event Planning and Implementation

• Plan, coordinate, and execute donor events, including, exhibition previews, stewardship events, talks and tours, and intimate gatherings.
• Provide personalized experiences for major donors to deepen their engagement with the Museum's mission and programs.

Team Leadership and Development

• Attend and participate in staff meetings, cross-departmental initiatives, and professional development opportunities to stay informed of best practices in fundraising.
• Participate in comprehensive development planning Including contributing to the annual development plan, stewardship plan, communications plan, etc.

Sustainability

• Contribute to the advancement of goals, initiatives, and metrics for sustainability

Non-Essential Functions

• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge and Skills

• Passion for the Museum's mission and commitment to the arts and cultural sector
• Proven track record of success in nonprofit fundraising, particularly in securing major gifts and managing complex donor relationships
• Deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape, including donor motivations and giving trends
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with potential donors and cultivate strong relationships
• Strong leadership abilities
• Knowledge of foundations, charitable giving processes, fundraising best practice
• Knowledge of fundraising policies and compliance regulations
• Proven, effective and positive interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Understanding of capital campaigns
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, particularly related to major and individual gifts
• Ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in donor management software (e.g., Altru, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms).
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leadership, board members, and volunteers.

Qualifications

We recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Position descriptions are often presented in a way that leaves qualified candidates feeling unwelcome, intimidated, uncomfortable and/or unqualified to apply. Recognizing that, we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Employee Expectations

As a Museum employee, the incumbent is expected to model the following traits:

• Foster and maintain open communication and collaboration and actively engage in the exchange of ideas and maintaining constructive relationships
• Initiative and creativity in all aspects of the position
• Lead by example by maintaining a high standard of professional ethics and conduct
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect
• Align with organizational values, culture, and commitments to sustainability
• Support and uphold the policies and procedures of the Museum

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://anchoragemuseum.applicantpool.com/jobs/1187037-249247.html