Senior Manager, Donor Relations
Niatero, Seattle, WA, United States
Nia Tero is a US-based nonprofit with a culture guided by Indigenous wisdom, practices, and protocols. Our mission is to work in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who sustain thriving territories and cultures to strengthen guardianship of Earth and all beings. Our vision is of an Earth where Indigenous guardianship of thriving homelands and waters is enabled everywhere possible on Earth. To achieve this, we work in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who sustain thriving territories and cultures to strengthen guardianship of Earth and all beings. Our governing bodies, leadership, and staff are built upon diverse, non‑Indigenous, and Indigenous identities and life experiences. As a bridge‑building organization that connects environmental funders with Indigenous organizations, we view this diversity as a source of strength. Nia Tero is in a start‑up phase seeking candidates who thrive in a fast‑paced environment and can support the organization to strengthen and scale its impact.
POSITION SUMMARY The Senior Manager, Donor Relations, will play a key role in developing compelling strategies and content that effectively convey Nia Tero’s unique value and the impact of our partnerships with Indigenous Peoples globally. Areas of work include development of solicitations, project management, and stewardship oversight. Collaborating with the Associate Director, Development, this role will help manage and strengthen relationships with funders and stakeholders to ensure sustainable funding streams. This role requires a strategic communicator and storyteller with a proven track record in creating compelling donor content, growing nonprofit fundraising, and constructing persuasive narratives, and will serve as a key liaison with Nia Tero’s Communications team, to align cross‑team efforts. Working closely with leadership and other teams, the Senior Manager, Donor Relations, will contribute to increasing philanthropic support to address the threats to Indigenous guardianship. The successful applicant would also benefit from deep ties to and understanding of Indigenous cultures, a passion for our mission, and outstanding collaboration and teamwork skills.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Grant Writing and Proposal Development
Write and manage persuasive and values‑aligned grant proposals, concept notes, and letters of intent for high‑net‑worth individuals, foundations, and corporate donors, targeting contributions ranging from $100,000 to over $1,000,000.
Collaborate closely with program staff, finance, and external agents when needed (such as contractors, graphic designers, and photographers) to ensure alignment with donor interests and Nia Tero’s mission and produce high‑quality timely submissions.
Donor Stewardship
Develop and manage a stewardship portfolio of individual and institutional donors. Meet donor requirements through tailored stewardship strategies, key performance indicator monitoring, and grant deliverables.
Use quantitative and qualitative research methods to plan strategic donor communications such as cases for support, fact sheets, overviews, and web‑based donor content.
Write concise and values‑aligned impact reports, donor updates, and stewardship assets that effectively communicate project results and deepen donor engagement.
Project Management
Lead project management of donor relations materials, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and partners across time zones and tight deadlines.
Develop and maintain a calendar of donor communications assets, including proposals, reports, and stewardship assets.
Ensure accurate tracking of submissions, communications, and financial information in the fundraising database in partnership with the Development Coordinator. Key tasks include documenting and updating standard operating procedures as needed.
Collaborate with the Development and Communications teams to implement best practices in donor engagement and ensure all materials are consistent with Nia Tero’s messaging and branding standards.
PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not have current supervisory responsibilities but may in the future.
This position will have access to Nia Tero’s fundraising database and sensitive financial information, so discretion is required.
QUALIFICATIONS Required:
Education and Experience
*Bachelor’s or associate degree, or equivalent work experience.
Strong work tenure, including five or more years of experience, coursework, or other relevant training in resource development and writing composition
Excellent writing and proofreading skills
Strong project management skills, including experiences leading or coordinating multiple projects, organizing time, building project teams, managing diverse activities, and meeting deadlines
Experience writing successful and jargon‑free funding proposals and applications
Experience writing or editing outcome‑focused or technical materials
Experience analyzing, interpreting, and communicating financial data
Experience using Asana or other similar project management software
Experience using customer relations management (CRM) database software such as Salesforce or Blackbaud products
Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe products
*A combination of education, training, and experience which has provided theoretical and practical knowledge will be evaluated for equivalency.
Skills and Abilities (including languages and software)
Ability to design and construct fundraising materials, including proposals, impact reports, donor profiles, presentations, briefing memos, and other donor‑related communications materials
Ability to write to a donor’s interests and, working with other team members, act appropriately to match those interests with Nia Tero’s work
Demonstrated experience as an active listener, using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate team members
Ability to adapt or modify processes in response to changing circumstances
Ability to use content strategy and user experience principles to create engaging print and web‑based donor content
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including communications with stakeholders whose first language is not English
Highly resourceful team player who supports colleagues in achieving their best work and is also extremely effective independently
Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Prioritizes competing needs, handles matters’ expeditiously and proactively, and follows through on projects to successful completion while managing work across multiple deadlines
Ideal:
Experience raising funds for a global organization
Working knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or French
Experience with high‑growth environment and multi‑cultural or cross‑cultural experience appreciated
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL This full‑time position is ideally based in Seattle, with the flexibility to work some evenings and weekend hours as needed. For the right candidate, the team is open to a teammate who works remotely on a permanent basis.
Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
Visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess distance, color, and depth; Required to regularly communicate with others and exchange accurate information.
Able to operate a computer and other office productivity equipment; able to remain stationary at a computer for extended periods of time and move around his/her assigned workspace.
Occasional day and night domestic travel and some international travel is a potential (up to 15%)
HOW TO APPLY If interested in this role, please email a cover letter and resume tojobs@niatero.org and include “Senior Manager, Donor Relations” in the subject line.
EEO Statement Nia Tero is an Indigenous Peoples serving global organization that strives to have an inclusive, equitable, and diverse work culture. We strongly encourage people from historically excluded groups to apply.
Salary and Benefits The salary for this position is USD $110,000-120,000 annually based on experience. Our compensation program is U.S. based and pay ranges are representative of compensation in the U.S. market. For positions outside of the U.S., pay rates are determined based on the applicable local regional market.
This is a full‑time permanent position and qualifies for healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision), 401K and paid time off (including vacation leave, sick leave, and personal days).
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POSITION SUMMARY The Senior Manager, Donor Relations, will play a key role in developing compelling strategies and content that effectively convey Nia Tero’s unique value and the impact of our partnerships with Indigenous Peoples globally. Areas of work include development of solicitations, project management, and stewardship oversight. Collaborating with the Associate Director, Development, this role will help manage and strengthen relationships with funders and stakeholders to ensure sustainable funding streams. This role requires a strategic communicator and storyteller with a proven track record in creating compelling donor content, growing nonprofit fundraising, and constructing persuasive narratives, and will serve as a key liaison with Nia Tero’s Communications team, to align cross‑team efforts. Working closely with leadership and other teams, the Senior Manager, Donor Relations, will contribute to increasing philanthropic support to address the threats to Indigenous guardianship. The successful applicant would also benefit from deep ties to and understanding of Indigenous cultures, a passion for our mission, and outstanding collaboration and teamwork skills.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Grant Writing and Proposal Development
Write and manage persuasive and values‑aligned grant proposals, concept notes, and letters of intent for high‑net‑worth individuals, foundations, and corporate donors, targeting contributions ranging from $100,000 to over $1,000,000.
Collaborate closely with program staff, finance, and external agents when needed (such as contractors, graphic designers, and photographers) to ensure alignment with donor interests and Nia Tero’s mission and produce high‑quality timely submissions.
Donor Stewardship
Develop and manage a stewardship portfolio of individual and institutional donors. Meet donor requirements through tailored stewardship strategies, key performance indicator monitoring, and grant deliverables.
Use quantitative and qualitative research methods to plan strategic donor communications such as cases for support, fact sheets, overviews, and web‑based donor content.
Write concise and values‑aligned impact reports, donor updates, and stewardship assets that effectively communicate project results and deepen donor engagement.
Project Management
Lead project management of donor relations materials, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and partners across time zones and tight deadlines.
Develop and maintain a calendar of donor communications assets, including proposals, reports, and stewardship assets.
Ensure accurate tracking of submissions, communications, and financial information in the fundraising database in partnership with the Development Coordinator. Key tasks include documenting and updating standard operating procedures as needed.
Collaborate with the Development and Communications teams to implement best practices in donor engagement and ensure all materials are consistent with Nia Tero’s messaging and branding standards.
PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not have current supervisory responsibilities but may in the future.
This position will have access to Nia Tero’s fundraising database and sensitive financial information, so discretion is required.
QUALIFICATIONS Required:
Education and Experience
*Bachelor’s or associate degree, or equivalent work experience.
Strong work tenure, including five or more years of experience, coursework, or other relevant training in resource development and writing composition
Excellent writing and proofreading skills
Strong project management skills, including experiences leading or coordinating multiple projects, organizing time, building project teams, managing diverse activities, and meeting deadlines
Experience writing successful and jargon‑free funding proposals and applications
Experience writing or editing outcome‑focused or technical materials
Experience analyzing, interpreting, and communicating financial data
Experience using Asana or other similar project management software
Experience using customer relations management (CRM) database software such as Salesforce or Blackbaud products
Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe products
*A combination of education, training, and experience which has provided theoretical and practical knowledge will be evaluated for equivalency.
Skills and Abilities (including languages and software)
Ability to design and construct fundraising materials, including proposals, impact reports, donor profiles, presentations, briefing memos, and other donor‑related communications materials
Ability to write to a donor’s interests and, working with other team members, act appropriately to match those interests with Nia Tero’s work
Demonstrated experience as an active listener, using diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate team members
Ability to adapt or modify processes in response to changing circumstances
Ability to use content strategy and user experience principles to create engaging print and web‑based donor content
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including communications with stakeholders whose first language is not English
Highly resourceful team player who supports colleagues in achieving their best work and is also extremely effective independently
Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Prioritizes competing needs, handles matters’ expeditiously and proactively, and follows through on projects to successful completion while managing work across multiple deadlines
Ideal:
Experience raising funds for a global organization
Working knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or French
Experience with high‑growth environment and multi‑cultural or cross‑cultural experience appreciated
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL This full‑time position is ideally based in Seattle, with the flexibility to work some evenings and weekend hours as needed. For the right candidate, the team is open to a teammate who works remotely on a permanent basis.
Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
Visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess distance, color, and depth; Required to regularly communicate with others and exchange accurate information.
Able to operate a computer and other office productivity equipment; able to remain stationary at a computer for extended periods of time and move around his/her assigned workspace.
Occasional day and night domestic travel and some international travel is a potential (up to 15%)
HOW TO APPLY If interested in this role, please email a cover letter and resume tojobs@niatero.org and include “Senior Manager, Donor Relations” in the subject line.
EEO Statement Nia Tero is an Indigenous Peoples serving global organization that strives to have an inclusive, equitable, and diverse work culture. We strongly encourage people from historically excluded groups to apply.
Salary and Benefits The salary for this position is USD $110,000-120,000 annually based on experience. Our compensation program is U.S. based and pay ranges are representative of compensation in the U.S. market. For positions outside of the U.S., pay rates are determined based on the applicable local regional market.
This is a full‑time permanent position and qualifies for healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision), 401K and paid time off (including vacation leave, sick leave, and personal days).
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