Pulitzer Center
Manager of Individual Giving
Pulitzer Center, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - New York City (Remote) or DC (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
The Pulitzer Center seeks a strategic relationship builder to transform how individual donors connect with our mission of supporting independent journalism on critical global issues. This isn't about transactional fundraising; it's about building a movement of engaged supporters who see themselves as partners in strengthening journalism's role in democracy and global understanding.
As Manager of Individual Giving, you'll serve as a key driver in growing our individual donor program, creating pathways for people to move from first-time supporters to deeply invested advocates. You'll design engagement strategies and events that help donors see the direct impact of their support: journalists uncovering climate stories in vulnerable communities, students connecting global issues to local action, and communities accessing information that mainstream media overlooks.
This role is for someone who believes fundraising is fundamentally about relationships, storytelling, and shared purpose. Someone who can translate complex journalism projects into compelling donor experiences, who thrives on building genuine connections, and who sees data not as numbers but as insights into how people want to engage with our mission.
If you're energized by the challenge of building sustainable revenue streams while cultivating meaningful donor relationships, this role offers significant creative freedom and strategic impact.
What You'll Do Donor Strategy & Portfolio Management
Manage and grow a portfolio of 150-200 individual donors giving $1,000-$25,000 annually
Design and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies tailored to donor interests and capacity
Create personalized engagement plans that connect donors to specific programs, journalists, and impact stories
Identify and qualify major gift prospects from existing supporter base and new networks
Achieve annual fundraising goals while building sustainable long-term relationships
Donor Experience & Communications
Craft compelling solicitation materials including appeals, proposals, and impact reports
Design creative stewardship touchpoints that demonstrate impact and build connection: journalist updates, behind-the-scenes content, program spotlights
Collaborate with Communications and Editorial teams to develop donor-facing content that showcases journalism quality and impact
Organize donor engagement opportunities: briefings with journalists, exclusive events, virtual conversations on global issues
Ensure all donor interactions reflect the organization's values and strengthen relationship momentum
Program Development & Innovation
Build and expand mid-level giving program ($1,000-$9,999) with targeted strategies for acquisition and retention
Develop creative giving vehicles: monthly sustainer programs, matching gift campaigns, legacy giving initiative
Design engagement pathways that move donors up the giving ladder based on interests and capacity
Test and refine approaches based on data analysis and donor feedback
Collaborate with Development leadership to integrate individual giving with broader fundraising strategy
Data Management & Analysis
Maintain accurate, comprehensive donor records in CRM system (Salesforce)
Track metrics including retention rates, upgrade rates, average gift size, and portfolio productivity
Analyze giving patterns to inform strategy and identify opportunities
Generate reports for leadership on fundraising performance and trends
Ensure compliance with donor acknowledgment timelines and organizational policies
What You'll Bring (Required Qualifications)
3-5 years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success managing individual donor portfolios
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals
Excellent relationship building skills with ability to cultivate donors across giving levels
Experience in developing, producing, and managing fundraising and donor events.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives
Strategic thinking combined with attention to detail and follow-through
Experience with donor database management (Salesforce experience strongly preferred)
Analytical skills with comfort using data to inform strategy and measure success
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build programs and test new approaches
Passion for journalism, storytelling, and the role of media in democracy
Commitment to equity and inclusion in fundraising practice
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in nonprofit journalism, media, or education sectors
Knowledge of international development, global affairs, or social justice issues
Experience with planned giving or monthly sustainer programs
Grant writing skills
Established networks within philanthropic or journalism communities
Familiarity with issues including climate change, democracy, human rights, global health
Success Metrics Your Impact Will Be Measured By
Revenue Goals: Achievement of annual individual giving revenue targets
Portfolio Growth: Expansion in number of donors and average gift size across portfolio
Retention: Strong donor retention rates (70%+ for current donors)
Upgrades: Success moving donors to higher giving levels
Pipeline Development: Consistent identification and qualification of major gift prospects
Donor Satisfaction: Positive feedback from donors about their experience and engagement
Program Innovation: Development and testing of new giving programs and engagement strategies
Operational Excellence: Accurate, timely donor records and acknowledgments
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, generous PTO, professional development support
Remote work arrangement with flexibility for work-life balance
Location & Work Arrangement The ideal candidate will be based in either New York City or Washington DC. Qualified candidates from all geographic regions will be considered, however, a relocation reimbursement will not be offered for this position. The role requires in-person participation at New York City and Washington DC based meetings with leadership, team members, donors, and partners.
Travel Requirements
Meetings with donors, prospects, and partners.
Fundraising-related events and related donor activities.
Team meetings and organizational events
Conferences and professional development
The ideal candidate will be comfortable with both in-person relationship building and virtual donor engagement across time zones.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
As Manager of Individual Giving, you'll serve as a key driver in growing our individual donor program, creating pathways for people to move from first-time supporters to deeply invested advocates. You'll design engagement strategies and events that help donors see the direct impact of their support: journalists uncovering climate stories in vulnerable communities, students connecting global issues to local action, and communities accessing information that mainstream media overlooks.
This role is for someone who believes fundraising is fundamentally about relationships, storytelling, and shared purpose. Someone who can translate complex journalism projects into compelling donor experiences, who thrives on building genuine connections, and who sees data not as numbers but as insights into how people want to engage with our mission.
If you're energized by the challenge of building sustainable revenue streams while cultivating meaningful donor relationships, this role offers significant creative freedom and strategic impact.
What You'll Do Donor Strategy & Portfolio Management
Manage and grow a portfolio of 150-200 individual donors giving $1,000-$25,000 annually
Design and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies tailored to donor interests and capacity
Create personalized engagement plans that connect donors to specific programs, journalists, and impact stories
Identify and qualify major gift prospects from existing supporter base and new networks
Achieve annual fundraising goals while building sustainable long-term relationships
Donor Experience & Communications
Craft compelling solicitation materials including appeals, proposals, and impact reports
Design creative stewardship touchpoints that demonstrate impact and build connection: journalist updates, behind-the-scenes content, program spotlights
Collaborate with Communications and Editorial teams to develop donor-facing content that showcases journalism quality and impact
Organize donor engagement opportunities: briefings with journalists, exclusive events, virtual conversations on global issues
Ensure all donor interactions reflect the organization's values and strengthen relationship momentum
Program Development & Innovation
Build and expand mid-level giving program ($1,000-$9,999) with targeted strategies for acquisition and retention
Develop creative giving vehicles: monthly sustainer programs, matching gift campaigns, legacy giving initiative
Design engagement pathways that move donors up the giving ladder based on interests and capacity
Test and refine approaches based on data analysis and donor feedback
Collaborate with Development leadership to integrate individual giving with broader fundraising strategy
Data Management & Analysis
Maintain accurate, comprehensive donor records in CRM system (Salesforce)
Track metrics including retention rates, upgrade rates, average gift size, and portfolio productivity
Analyze giving patterns to inform strategy and identify opportunities
Generate reports for leadership on fundraising performance and trends
Ensure compliance with donor acknowledgment timelines and organizational policies
What You'll Bring (Required Qualifications)
3-5 years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success managing individual donor portfolios
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals
Excellent relationship building skills with ability to cultivate donors across giving levels
Experience in developing, producing, and managing fundraising and donor events.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives
Strategic thinking combined with attention to detail and follow-through
Experience with donor database management (Salesforce experience strongly preferred)
Analytical skills with comfort using data to inform strategy and measure success
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build programs and test new approaches
Passion for journalism, storytelling, and the role of media in democracy
Commitment to equity and inclusion in fundraising practice
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in nonprofit journalism, media, or education sectors
Knowledge of international development, global affairs, or social justice issues
Experience with planned giving or monthly sustainer programs
Grant writing skills
Established networks within philanthropic or journalism communities
Familiarity with issues including climate change, democracy, human rights, global health
Success Metrics Your Impact Will Be Measured By
Revenue Goals: Achievement of annual individual giving revenue targets
Portfolio Growth: Expansion in number of donors and average gift size across portfolio
Retention: Strong donor retention rates (70%+ for current donors)
Upgrades: Success moving donors to higher giving levels
Pipeline Development: Consistent identification and qualification of major gift prospects
Donor Satisfaction: Positive feedback from donors about their experience and engagement
Program Innovation: Development and testing of new giving programs and engagement strategies
Operational Excellence: Accurate, timely donor records and acknowledgments
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, generous PTO, professional development support
Remote work arrangement with flexibility for work-life balance
Location & Work Arrangement The ideal candidate will be based in either New York City or Washington DC. Qualified candidates from all geographic regions will be considered, however, a relocation reimbursement will not be offered for this position. The role requires in-person participation at New York City and Washington DC based meetings with leadership, team members, donors, and partners.
Travel Requirements
Meetings with donors, prospects, and partners.
Fundraising-related events and related donor activities.
Team meetings and organizational events
Conferences and professional development
The ideal candidate will be comfortable with both in-person relationship building and virtual donor engagement across time zones.
#J-18808-Ljbffr