Director for Donor Engagement (Washington, D.C.)

Director for Donor Engagement (Washington, D.C.)

Reports to Senior Director for Development and Communications

Full time position with benefits, salary commensurate with experience

Position Summary: The Donor Engagement Director, reporting to the Senior Director of Development and Communications, will raise revenue and expand UPA’s donor base. The director will ensure that donors experience superior-quality interface with UPA; expand donor engagement programs and activities; mange staff and oversee the processing and acknowledgement of donations.

In close coordination with the Senior Director of Development and Communications, the Director for Donor Engagement will serve as team leader on the following aspects of UPA’s donor engagement strategy:

Donor Engagement:

1. Ensure that donors experience superior-quality interface with UPA, leading to long-term donor retention and increased resource investment in the mission of UPA.

2. Contributes to the development and implementation of a donor engagement strategy to grow revenue by cultivating and retaining new individual and institutional donors, with quarterly and annual goals and targets.

3. Lead, track and maintain an active schedule of donor interactions, in collaboration with Senior Director. Review records monthly with Senior Director.

4. Develop and oversee programs that grow legacy giving, planned giving, monthly giving, workplace giving, and special occasion giving. Develop new programs such as equity stock donations.

5. Manage donor appreciation programs and activities, including new donor packages, regular monthly donor communications, campaign phone banks, international outreach events and the like.

6. Maintain an up-to-date record of interactions with donors.

7. Prepare donor engagement reports, as requested.

8. Make public appearances and accept speaking engagements which further the strategic goals of the Development and Communications Unit and share information about UPA’s core strengths with the public. Prepare talking points, donor data and other supportive materials to support UPA leadership in their public appearances.

9. Forge relations with fundraising professionals working in UPA’s sphere to promote UPA’s work.

10. Advise on the identification and development of UPA’s donor engagement tools, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program and wealth screening.

11. Incorporate best practice and new trends in the non-profit development field into UPA’s donor engagement strategy.

12. Assist in various other tasks, as requested.

Management of Donations:

1. Lead the Donor Engagement Team to ensure timely and accurate implementation of the following:

a. Processing of donations and acknowledgements, updating contact records, gift records and gift allocations in the donor database.

b. A complete capture of donor information and the syncing of that information with Communications Team’s digital and print publications to guarantee an optimal donor experience.

c. All necessary procedures are followed to verify and process matching gifts from donors and companies.

d. Prepare monthly accounting reports and other reports, as requested.

e. Process and track donor restricted donations.

1. Create and periodically update acknowledgement letter templates related to general giving, as well as each specific campaign and restricted donations. Update donation pages and email receipts. Coordinate this process closely with Communications Team.

2. Prepare new text for End of Year tax-receipt letter acknowledgement at the beginning of each calendar year.

3. Facilitate wire transfers between donors and partners, working closely with Directors of Development and Communications and Field Operations. Confirm when signatures are received, alert staff to prepare OFAC checks and transfer funds.

4. Assist in various other tasks, as requested.

Staff Supervision:

1. Lead the Donor Engagement team. Cultivate and train volunteers and interns, with the aim of fostering increased and sustained donor engagement and increasing investment in the organization’s mission.

2. Guide and mentor staff including the development of staff workplans and monitor their implementation.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree at a minimum. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

· A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience in fundraising, partnership development, external relations, and major donor stewardship.

· Understanding of philanthropy as it relates to emergency, relief, and development especially in the Middle East and Palestinian context.

· Established relationships with donor organizations, foundations and individuals interested in the Middle East is a plus.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work and collaborate with diverse communities, people, and partners.
• Capacity to work effectively as a leader and perform strongly as part of a team.
• Self-directed, able to work independently and function effectively in a fast-paced environment.

· Event planning experience.

· Strong spoken and written English; Proficiency in Arabic is preferred.

· Computer software skills, including Microsoft Office; knowledge of integrated donor database systems and particularly Donor Perfect, is preferred.

United Palestinian Appeal is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. UPA is committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, nationality, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.