Company
Employment Type
- Full-time
- Job
Job Categories
- Development & Membership
Job Details
The Donor Engagement Specialist is responsible for maintaining and cultivating the Botanical Garden’s robust donor and sponsorship base. A successful candidate must possess strong communication skills and have the ability to effectively convey the Garden’s mission, serve as an ambassador for the Garden, and bring passion to their work. As part of the development team, the Donor Engagement Specialist has the opportunity to contribute to additional fundraising activities and develop creative approaches to expanding donors, sponsors, and other fundraising initiatives.
You’re Excited About This Opportunity Because You Will…
• Be a part of the Garden and its mission, engaging and learning to be an effective ambassador.
• Work with a dynamic team passionate about plant education, exploration, and celebration.
• Develop, maintain, and promote positive and professional relationships with donors, staff, volunteers, members, vendors, media, and the general public.
• Oversee the stewardship of the Botanical Garden’s donor base and sponsorships, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Seek new funding opportunities and cultivate new donor relationships.
• Create/develop donor engagement activities throughout the year.
• Record and track all donor engagement activity in Altru database.
• Secure funding from donors and sponsors, including annual funding for key Garden events, to ensure the Garden is thriving, accessible, progressing, and meeting fundraising goals.
• Ensure compliance with donor/sponsor requirements.
• Build consistent messaging, brand reinforcement, and positive donor engagement.
• Maintain and disseminate an annual sponsorship packet.
• Support the monthly e-newsletter to donors and supporters.
• Work with the marketing team to ensure recognition of sponsors, when appropriate.
• Work closely with the Director of Development and Chief Advancement Officer to identify, solicit, acknowledge, and steward donors, including stewardship and cultivation of major donors, as needed.
• Work with the Director of Development to develop a strategic plan for future donor and sponsor cultivation.
• Communicate cross departmentally to determine donor and sponsor needs for events and programs, to ensure consistent messaging, and to support fundraising goals.
• Assist with additional fundraising activities, as assigned.
We’re Excited About You Because You…
• Are committed to and able to convey the Botanical Garden’s mission.
• Are bright, kind, and motivated by challenges.
• Have a proven track record inspiring and influencing stakeholders through authentic and meaningful connections.
• Are a self-motivated individual.
• Are results-oriented, detail- and deadline-focused, creative, resourceful, and flexible.
• Are willing to engage in the Greater Des Moines community and participate in learning opportunities (networking events, trainings, professional development, etc.)
• Have the ability to maintain a positive attitude and effectively problem solve.
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree is required, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in donor relations/fundraising, or comparable work experience.
• Experience in or a passion for public gardens, museums, or cultural attractions is preferred.
• Donor database management experience is preferred.
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual desirable.
Skills and Abilities
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to follow direction, build strategy, and find resources.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
• Continuous communication and/or interaction with staff, volunteers, visitors, and leadership.
• Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, crouching, or lifting (up to 25 lbs.).
• Frequently required to walk, stand, and sit.
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and visual acuity.
• Employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and is occasionally exposed to outside conditions.
• Potential to work remotely.
Qualified candidates may submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to bghr@dmbotanicalgarden.com. Review of applicants will begin immediately and remain open until the candidate is hired.
