Donor Engagement Specialist
3 days ago
Akron
Job Description DONOR ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST Do you have a passion for helping others? This could be the role for you! Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc. (RMHC NEO) is currently seeking a highly motivated individual who possesses passion, compassion, and dedication as an Donor Engagement Specialist. The Donor Engagement Specialist advances RMHC NEO’s revenue and retention goals by managing a portfolio of mid-level donors and guiding them from transactional giving into intentional, relationship-based philanthropy. Working within the integrated Development and Marketing Department, this role connects supporters to the mission through strategic outreach, personalized stewardship, and clear next-step giving opportunities - - grounded in donor interests, data insights, and impact storytelling. The Donor Engagement Specialist is responsible for consistent donor contact (calls, visits, and follow-up), renewals and direct solicitations, and maintaining strong moves management practices in the CRM. In collaboration with Development leadership, the Major Gifts Officer, Development Operations/Data, and Marketing/Communications, the role helps strengthen donor loyalty, increase upgrades into the $1,000–$5,000+ range, and support department-wide goals tied to donor engagement, conversion, and retention. In the spirit of teamwork, this individual interacts in collaboration with RMHC NEO staff and volunteers to provide support and assistance in the fulfillment of their goals and objectives. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Portfolio Management & Donor Revenue Growth • Manage a portfolio of approximately 150-200 donors currently giving $500–$2,500 with the potential to grow to $1,000–$5,000+, with a focus on retention, upgrade, and reactivation., • Develop and execute individualized engagement strategies for assigned donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship touchpoints., • Establish annual goals for each donor (renewal, upgrade, or re-engagement) and track progress toward portfolio revenue and activity metrics., • Conduct consistent donor outreach through calls, personalized emails, and in-person/virtual meetings to deepen relationships and increase philanthropic investment. Ten to sixteen significant donor interactions weekly., • Build and maintain an active pipeline of solicitations, including direct requests for renewals, upgrades, and special opportunities., • Prepare for and lead donor visits and solicitation meetings, including briefing materials, meeting agendas, and follow-up plans., • Deliver high-quality, donor-centered stewardship for assigned portfolio, including timely follow-up, meaningful impact communication, and personalized touches appropriate to donor level and interests., • Collaborate with Marketing/Communications on donor-facing messages and impact stories that support portfolio retention and upgrades., • Responsible for portfolio-specific stewardship actions (calls, meetings, personalized follow-up) and for documenting significant interactions in CRM., • Maintain accurate, timely documentation of donor interactions, next steps, and outcomes in the CRM (contacts, meeting notes, proposals, and stewardship actions)., • Use giving history, engagement indicators, and wealth/affinity insights to prioritize outreach and tailor strategies., • Partner with Development Operations/Data and Marketing to ensure donor communications, acknowledgement standards, and stewardship messaging align with donor experience expectations., • Support Development campaigns and donor communications initiatives as assigned (e.g., annual appeal follow-up, targeted upgrade campaigns). None EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK EXPERIENCE: Required / Core Qualifications - - • Education: Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business administration, and public relations. High School diploma or GED with 5 or more years of related experience as indicted above required., • Fundraising experience: 2–5 years of donor engagement, fundraising, sales, account management, or relationship-based revenue work (nonprofit fundraising preferred)., • Demonstrated comfort with asks: Proven ability to initiate outreach, build rapport, and make direct requests for support (renewals and upgrades)., • Portfolio management discipline: Experience managing multiple relationships simultaneously with consistent follow-through and organization., • CRM proficiency: Experience documenting donor/customer engagement activity in a CRM (Raiser’s Edge or similar preferred), with high attention to detail and timeliness., • Communication skills: Strong interpersonal communication, especially phone confidence, listening, and concise written follow-up., • Mission-forward storytelling: Ability to communicate impact clearly and warmly, connecting donor values to outcomes (and partnering with Marketing for story amplification)., • Professional judgment & discretion: Ability to handle sensitive donor information and represent RMHC NEO professionally.OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:, • Experience with mid-level giving programs, upgrade campaigns, LYBUNT/SYBUNT outreach, or donor journey mapping., • Event-based follow-up and conversion experience (turning attendees into donors/supporters)., • Familiarity with stewardship planning across donor tiers and/or coordinating donor experience touchpoints., • Comfort collaborating across departments (Programs + Marketing + Data/Research).Highly relational and service-oriented (warm, persistent, unafraid of the phone)., • Organized and self-directed; thrives with weekly goals and measurable outputs., • Coachable, collaborative, and able to work within defined guardrails (no drift into gift processing or comms production)., • Excellent written and oral communication skills and team orientation., • Computer proficiency, including familiarity with all MS Office products., • Participation in other committees as requested., • Conducts tours of RMHC as appropriate., • Serves as a member of the Speaker’s Bureau., • Assists with public relations activities as requested., • Participation in outside organizations that will benefit RMHC., • Must possess reliable means of transportation for frequent travel around Northeast Ohio., • Sitting, viewing computer monitors, and utilizing a computer keyboard. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide the following benefits as part of our compensation package - - • Starting salary of approximately $50,000.00 annually, • Medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage. RMHC NEO covers 100% of employees’ monthly healthcare premiums., • 401k Plan with matching, • Life Insurance, Short- & Long-erm Disability coverage paid by RMHC NEO, • Vacation, Sick Days and Holidays Please apply online as indicated for consideration. RMHC NEO is committed to continually striving to create an inclusive environment characterized by mutual trust and respect. RMHC NEO recognizes and values the diverse and unique talents and contributions of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination and harassment of any kind is not tolerated in our organization. All our employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (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, genetic information, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may click here for more information about your rights. All employees of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio are expected to exemplify our Mission, Vision, and Core Values while performing their work functions: MISSION: To provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. VISION: A world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes for their children. VALUES: • We lead with compassion., • We are deeply respectful., • We act with integrity., • We are firmly committed.