About The Development Manager Role
Sister District seeks a highly motivated, detail-oriented Development Manager who is eager to gain expertise in organizational and political fundraising. The Development Manager will work closely with the Development Director to implement the fundraising plan for Sister District Project (PAC, 527), Sister District Advocacy Network (501(c)(4)), and Sister District Education Fund (501(c)(3)). They will support all aspects of the fundraising program, including donor prospecting, preparation of briefing materials, drafting of external donor communications, events, the acknowledgment program, and some major donor relationship stewardship. Support around other core fundraising tasks, as needed.
This position reports to the Development Director and offers potential opportunities for growth as our Development operations expand in the 2025-2026 cycle.
Responsibilities
Donor Cultivation & Engagement (40%)
Draft detailed briefing materials ahead of meetings with funders.
Meet briefing approval and submission deadlines.
Organizing briefing materials within the Sister District Shared Drive.
Updating key donor information on a rolling basis as it is received.
Acquire, maintain, and apply working knowledge of donor biographical and contribution history.
Support in planning and execution of fundraising trips by Executive Director and Development Director.
Drafting initial trip itinerary.
Assisting with strategic donor meeting scheduling.
Manage all aspects of the Acknowledgments Program, including:
Preparing personalized messages for major donor notecards each week.
Drafting copy and preparing data for midlevel donor letters each month.
Refreshing receipt copy online.
Manage reinstatement of midlevel donors, including:
Cultivating and soliciting the renewal of midlevel donors.
Preparing reinstatement data and copy.
Tracking implementation phases and outcomes.
Data Infrastructure (20%)
Support Development Director in assessing and improving donor relationship management tools and processes to support development operations, including gift processing, database management, and reporting.
Perform donor data management tasks, including maintaining trackers and conducting ongoing data hygiene tasks.
Mastering technology solutions to support fundraising and development operations, analyze fundraising trends, and to enhance donor engagement and stewardship.
Program Management (10%)
Support production of the Monthly Funder Update
Support development of fundraising messages and creation of materials and communications to promote the organization to donors, including tailored proposals aligning with donors’ interests.
Collaborating with the Development Director to brainstorm content ideas
Drafting copy for review by Development Director and Executive Director
Manage all aspects of the Tribute Gift Program, including:
Strengthening program design, messaging, and presentation.
Proposing opportunities for program promotion.
Overseeing gift requests from start to finish.
Manage donor stewardship for the Monthly Giving Program, including:
Preparing copy and data for welcome emails each month.
Responding to program inquiries and support requests.
Refreshing program update copy each month.
Report back to the Development Director with program updates on a regular basis.
Audit programs periodically to identify opportunities for improvement.
Funder Prospecting (20%)
Conduct targeted research to cultivate a robust list of major donor prospects.
Identify aligned grants, evaluate eligibility, and track application deadlines.
Perform regular wealth screenings to identify upgrade opportunities.
Other (10%)
Assist in creating donor prospecting materials and refreshing website fundraising copy.
Provide support around the development and execution of fundraising events.
Maintain and apply a working knowledge of relevant compliance rules.
Monitor print collateral inventory and initiate internal reorder requests.
Staff call time with Sister District principals, as needed.
Manage mailing projects, including periodic solicitations and receipts of contribution.
Respond to donor inquiries and requests.
Must Haves:
A demonstrated passion for Sister District’s mission.
At least 2 years of fundraising experience, with a track record of securing significant gifts from individuals, organizations, or foundations.
Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to achieve strategic goals while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to draft persuasive materials about the organization’s work to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Strongly Prefer:
Existing relationships with high net worth donors.
Experience developing and executing successful fundraising events.
Experience with grant writing and securing funding from foundations.
Prior experience in public speaking and external relations.
Prior experience creating multi-year fundraising plans.
Familiarity with commonly used donor relationship management tools and software.
Experience collaborating across teams and working with a principal.
Start Date
We are looking to fill this position no later than April 15th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Position and Pay
This is a full-time, remote position that can be fulfilled from anywhere in the United States with preference for the Bay Area or DC. Pay will commensurate with experience, in the range of $70,000 to $81,000 per year. The expectation is not for new team members to be hired with a starting salary at the top of the band, but to have a salary that adequately compensates experience and expertise while countering pay inequality and upholding internal parity.
Generous Benefits Package Includes:
Employer sponsored health insurance plan with 100% premium paid by Sister District
401k plan
Cell Phone/Internet Reimbursement up to $100 per month
Home Office Reimbursement
Professional Development Reimbursement
Generous Family Leave
Opportunity for Spot and End of Year Bonuses
Flexible PTO
25 Organization-wide holidays including the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Years Day.