Minimum $67k Starting Salary
Review a summary of our benefits on the previous Careers page.
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG) seeks a full-time employee to work with our Advancement Team. The starting date for this position will be January 23, 2023. The ideal candidate will grow income through cultivating and stewarding existing and new donor relationships resulting in soliciting individual, foundation, and corporate gifts to meet budget goals. This position will also coordinate events and assist with Annual Giving campaigns as needed. Responsibilities will include building and stewarding relationships to solicit gifts, working across the organization to better cultivate our donors as well as identify new potential donors, and actively engaging donors and prospects through exhibits and events. The successful candidate will have solid relationship-building skills, time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, and personal belief in the mission, goals and objects of the organization. This is a full-time position, and the regular hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, this position can regularly require long hours. Work on evenings and weekends may be required. Every position at FWBG is important to the organization’s success and contributes to the accomplishment of the strategic goals and, ultimately, achievement of its vision for the future. This role encompasses every employee’s goal of engaging with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders in support of the organization’s mission. Engagement includes participation on teams and committees, exerting extra effort to help the organization succeed, and investing time in the guest experience. Success in this position involves taking pride in working for this organization, committing to effective communication, being solution focused, and embracing a culture of positive change. FWBG is continuously working to build a culture where employees each work with an enthusiastic desire to contribute their skills, wisdom, and ideas towards their team’s performance and to experience a sense of satisfaction in the key role they play.
Some of the daily responsibilities we rely on the Donor Relations Manager to perform are:
- Maintaining annual gift support from a portfolio of current and prospective donors and seek out new prospective donors to add to portfolio.
- Developing cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects and donors within assigned portfolio, collaborating as appropriate with staff, board members, and volunteers.
- Organizing special events as needed in partnership with advancement team, events team, senior leadership staff, and volunteers.
- Becoming conversant in and effectively communicate planned giving vehicles/techniques and financial and estate planning concepts when the new program is rolled out.
- Conducting a minimum of 80 donor visits annually, along with 10 meaningful actions with current donors and prospects to cultivate or solicit medium and major gifts to meet fundraising goals. Meaningful actions are defined as face-to-face visits, meaningful phone calls, and impactful mailings and emails.
- Maintaining a record of all cultivation strategies, contacts, solicitations, and results of contacts with prospects and donors in their records.
- Directing, participating in, or leading departmental or organizational project teams as requested.
- Participating in Operating Board Advancement Committee meetings and Operating Board Meetings as appropriate, and on FWBG organizational committees.
- Participates in the planning, preparation, and filling of employee roles for various public events/exhibits hosted by the FWBG.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university.
- 7 years of proven fundraising experience; CFRE preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, including but not limited to Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of, or willingness, ability, and commitment to become proficient in Blackbaud Altru donor data base.
- Experience working with vendors.
- Ability to manage a budget.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills required.
- Problem-solving, research, and analytical skills.
- Solid relationship-building skills with ability to interface with community leaders, the garden and science communities, and members of the board.
- Time management skills with ability to prioritize tasks, give attention to detail, and successfully follow up on projects and deliver results.
- Personal belief in the mission, goals, and objectives of the institution and passionate about raising funds for its mission.
- Self-motivated self-starter with a positive attitude and perseverance
- Must maintain a current Texas Driver’s License and auto-related liability insurance.
Please see the full job description for a more detailed list of job tasks and applicant qualifications.
FWBG strives to maintain a positive working environment focused on growth and success of individuals, working together in a collaborative, professional manner, with communication a priority. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. FWBG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.