Donor Relations Specialist

Description

Experience GuideStone!

We are an innovative organization that invests in the spiritual, relational, financial, physical and professional development of our employees. We have a culture that values excellence, teamwork, humility, integrity, compassion and stewardship.

 

What We Offer You!

We offer employees a generous benefits package, flexible work schedules, the opportunity to be involved in community outreach and tuition reimbursement.

 

 

Job Summary

The main objective of this position is to cultivate and solicit additional revenue for GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity ministry through high-touch, personal contact and relationship development with prospects and donors. You will engage in outbound marketing through telephone calls, e-mail and written communications with an aim toward securing additional donors, fostering ongoing giving commitments, increasing regular support amounts and retaining lapsing or lapsed accounts.

 

What You'll Do

• We are charged with raising money. To that end, Donor Relations Specialist will strive to exceed monthly contact and fundraising goals in assisting prospects and donors in their charitable stewardship.

• We also have a responsibility to raise people. Donor Relations Specialist will exercise wisdom, insight and compassion in challenging prospects and donors to demonstrate biblical, tangible, Christ-honoring stewardship in providing for retired ministers and their widows in need.

• Communicate clearly and persuasively, and guide prospects and donors toward ongoing financial involvement in the Mission:Dignity ministry.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of GuideStone’s relief and assistance ministry and convey our story clearly through various communication methods.

• Field initial inquiries from prospects, provide appropriate information about the Mission:Dignity ministry, and answer questions and concerns.

• Research useful information about prospects including age, marital status, business relationships, interests and church affiliations, and update records with appropriate details.

• Initiate outbound marketing calls and correspondence to guide prospects toward making a first-time gift to Mission:Dignity.

• Contact first-time donors to express personal thanks for their initial gift.  Use this time to gather additional information. Seek a commitment toward a second gift or ongoing gift commitment.  Update records with results of contact.

• As assigned, contact regular donors to thank them for their continued support, respond to any questions or needs, and report results of the contacts.

• As assigned, identify lapsed or lapsing donors and make calls to proactively retain donor gifts.

• Actively encourage donors to engage others in their families, circles of friends, Sunday school class members or fellow church members in making a gift to Mission:Dignity.

• Assist donors with essential forms and online functions.

• Utilize Raiser’s Edge software to maintain pertinent prospect and donor information, update results of contacts, and schedule follow-up activities.

• Facilitate requests for more information about planned and major gifts and route inquiries to appropriate staff persons.

• Suggest ways to improve and enhance our fundraising and development operations.

• Represent GuideStone, as needed, at offsite seminars, meetings, and conventions.

• Participate in special projects and other tasks, as assigned.

• Assist Financial Assistance staff with incoming calls or other tasks, as needed.

• Overtime as required.

 

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, marketing, business or equivalent work experience, preferred.

• Very limited overnight travel, if at all. Occasionally, local contacts outside of the office may be needed.

• Executive Certificate in Fundraising.

• Proficient PC skills in MS Office and applicable GuideStone system applications.

• Must gain proficiency in Raiser’s Edge, Crescendo and any other of GuideStone’s fundraising and development software packages.

• Must be a member of a Southern Baptist Church.

• Strong relational skills, an outgoing personality, and the ability to connect with a diverse cross-section of individuals and organizations.

• Must be highly skilled in personal relationship building in order to foster and build a strong trust relationship between GuideStone and all prospects.

• Two years successful fundraising, sales and marketing, or business experience is essential.

• Two years in a call intensive environment is preferred.

• Knowledge of charitable giving techniques and relevant tax issues.

• Nonprofit marketing experience.

• Understanding of Southern Baptist polity and organization.

• Experience raising money for 403(b) or other charitable organizations.

• Proven track record of success in fundraising, marketing or sales.

• Ability to stay current on charitable giving techniques, as well as GuideStone products, publications and services.

• Knowledgeable about a variety of charitable giving techniques, including cash donations, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts and other methods.

• Knowledge of organization and decision making process found in Southern Baptist Churches, Associations, and State Conventions.

• Must be able to evaluate specific relationships and determine the best means by which an individual or organization can make gifts to the Mission:Dignity ministry.

• Must be able to match a giving technique to a donor’s or prospect’s particular situation and recommend a course of action that fits the client.

• Knowledgeable of GuideStone internal resources and services.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and handle high levels of stress in a rapidly changing environment.

• Personal attributes should include creativity, organizational skills, enthusiasm, and self-motivation with a strong work ethic.

• High-energy, result driven team player with fundraising or other sales experience and a demonstrated ability to build client relationships.

• Must be persuasive, yet personable and compassionate.

• Ability to eagerly accept and complete assignments as they are delegated by the department management.

 

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