Senior Associate, Prospecting & Donor Relations

The Senior Associate, Prospecting & Donor Relations at the Center for Employment Opportunities is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and nurturing relationships with potential donors. This role involves extensive prospect research, creating detailed donor profiles, and collaborating with internal teams to develop strategies for engagement and stewardship aimed at supporting CEO's mission.

Candidates for the Senior Associate, Prospecting & Donor Relations position at CEO should possess 3-5 years of relevant experience in fundraising or business development, alongside a proven record of meeting goals. Familiarity with donor research tools, data management platforms like Salesforce, and strong communication skills are also required for this role.

As a Senior Associate at CEO, you will enhance skills in donor research, relationship management, and data analysis. You'll gain experience in delivering presentations, utilizing AI tools ethically for research and communications, and collaborating on various fundraising campaigns, all while contributing meaningfully to the mission of supporting individuals affected by incarceration.

The Senior Associate plays a vital role in CEO's fundraising efforts by conducting thorough prospect research, analyzing donor demographics, and executing engagement strategies. This position ensures effective stewardship of donors through acknowledgment processes, helping maintain strong, lasting relationships that are crucial for sustainable revenue growth.

Key responsibilities include researching potential funding prospects, producing detailed donor profiles, managing donor acknowledgments, analyzing donor data, and supporting fundraising campaigns. The Senior Associate also collaborates with various stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies for donor engagement that align with CEO's mission.

In my approach to donor prospect research, I utilize a mix of public search engines and specialized databases like Foundation Directory Online to identify potential funders closely aligned with our mission at CEO. I prioritize synthesizing comprehensive profiles that highlight key indicators such as giving capacity and philanthropic interests, ensuring I present well-rounded insights to my team.

I am meticulous about maintaining accurate donor information by regularly updating records in our donor management systems like Salesforce. I ensure that all interactions are logged, and data is consistent, allowing for seamless communication with our donors and the ability to analyze engagement effectively.

To steward our donors effectively at CEO, I implement personalized acknowledgment processes, ensuring timely and heartfelt recognition of their contributions. I also maintain regular communication about how their support is making an impact, which helps build trust and encourages ongoing engagement.

When managing multiple deadlines, I utilize project management tools like Monday.com to track tasks visually. I prioritize based on urgency and impact, also maintaining open communication with my team to ensure alignment and collaboration on key projects. Keeping a detailed calendar helps me manage my time effectively.

In a recent fundraising campaign at CEO, I played a key role in conducting prospect research and developing outreach strategies. I worked closely with our communications team to create compelling campaign narratives and tracked engagement metrics to refine our approach, which resulted in a significant increase in donor contributions compared to previous years.

I ensure ethical practices in donor interactions by adhering to the guidelines set forth by professional organizations like AFP. I value transparency, respect donor privacy, and make sure all communications are clear and honest about how funds will be used, fostering trust and long-lasting relationships.

I leverage data analytics tools and donor management platforms to identify patterns and trends within our donor pools. Techniques such as segmentation and wealth assessment allow me to identify potential major donors, enabling targeted outreach strategies that can enhance our fundraising efforts.

Integrating feedback from collaborators is crucial. I actively solicit input during project discussions and after event follow-ups, creating a culture of collaboration. I then assess this feedback against our objectives, ensuring that I adapt my strategies accordingly to enhance our overall fundraising approach.

I am motivated by the transformative mission of CEO to help reintegrate individuals into society through employment. The idea of making a direct impact on people's lives and contributing to social change resonates deeply with my values, making each day in donor relations fulfilling and purposeful.

I would like to know more about the specific challenges the team is currently facing in donor relations and how this role can best support addressing those. Additionally, I'm curious about how CEO measures success in its donor relations efforts and what opportunities there are for professional development within the organization.