Annual Fund and Donor Relations Manager
Central Scholarship, Owings Mills, MD, United States
Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager
Reports To: President
FLSA Status: Full Time Exempt
Effective Date: April 1, 2026
Position Summary: Central Scholarship is seeking an Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager responsible for generating annual fund revenue by managing a portfolio of donors and building meaningful relationships that result in donor retention, upgrades, and pipeline growth for major gifts. This is a revenue-generating position that requires direct donor outreach, relationship management, and solicitation of annual gifts.
The Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager will develop and implement strategies to strengthen donor engagement, increase annual giving, and ensure donors feel connected to the mission and impact of Central Scholarship.
Primary Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 annual donors ($500–$5,000 level)
Develop and implement strategies for donor retention, reactivation, and upgrades
Conduct regular outreach including phone calls, meetings, email, and events
Personally solicit annual gifts from assigned donors
Identify and help cultivate donors with major gift potential
Annual Fund Strategy & Appeals
Develop and implement an annual fund plan
Coordinate and execute annual appeals (mail, email, phone calls etc.)
Track and analyze annual fund performance and donor trends
Work with leadership to develop messaging and case for support
Donor Stewardship & Communications
Ensure timely and meaningful donor stewardship
Assist with donor reports and stewardship activities
Support Thank-a-Thon and donor appreciation activities
Help communicate Central Scholarship’s impact through donor communications
Development Operations (in coordination with Development Associate)
Utilize Bloomerang to track donor activity and portfolio moves
Oversee donor acknowledgement process and gift recording accuracy
Prepare monthly development reports and Board communications
Provide administrative support to the Development Committee
Manage and steward memorial gifts
Events & Engagement
Support donor-related events including the Student Awards Ceremony and donor stewardship events
Supervisory Responsibility
Development Associate (1 direct report)
Other duties and special projects as assigned.
Performance Metrics The Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager will be evaluated on:
Annual fund revenue raised
Donor retention and donor upgrade rate
Number of donor meetings and solicitations
Lapsed donor reactivation
Growth of annual fund pipeline
Qualifications
3+ years of fundraising, sales, or relationship management experience with demonstrated success
1+ years supervisory experience preferred
Experience managing a donor or client portfolio preferred
Experience making solicitations or closing sales preferred
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Strong organizational and project management skills
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with accuracy, discretion and attention to detail
Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to teamwork and shared success
Experience with donor databases (Bloomerang preferred)
Commitment to the mission of Central Scholarship
Working Conditions Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Occasional overtime may be required.
NOTE
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
Central Scholarship is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
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FLSA Status: Full Time Exempt
Effective Date: April 1, 2026
Position Summary: Central Scholarship is seeking an Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager responsible for generating annual fund revenue by managing a portfolio of donors and building meaningful relationships that result in donor retention, upgrades, and pipeline growth for major gifts. This is a revenue-generating position that requires direct donor outreach, relationship management, and solicitation of annual gifts.
The Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager will develop and implement strategies to strengthen donor engagement, increase annual giving, and ensure donors feel connected to the mission and impact of Central Scholarship.
Primary Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 annual donors ($500–$5,000 level)
Develop and implement strategies for donor retention, reactivation, and upgrades
Conduct regular outreach including phone calls, meetings, email, and events
Personally solicit annual gifts from assigned donors
Identify and help cultivate donors with major gift potential
Annual Fund Strategy & Appeals
Develop and implement an annual fund plan
Coordinate and execute annual appeals (mail, email, phone calls etc.)
Track and analyze annual fund performance and donor trends
Work with leadership to develop messaging and case for support
Donor Stewardship & Communications
Ensure timely and meaningful donor stewardship
Assist with donor reports and stewardship activities
Support Thank-a-Thon and donor appreciation activities
Help communicate Central Scholarship’s impact through donor communications
Development Operations (in coordination with Development Associate)
Utilize Bloomerang to track donor activity and portfolio moves
Oversee donor acknowledgement process and gift recording accuracy
Prepare monthly development reports and Board communications
Provide administrative support to the Development Committee
Manage and steward memorial gifts
Events & Engagement
Support donor-related events including the Student Awards Ceremony and donor stewardship events
Supervisory Responsibility
Development Associate (1 direct report)
Other duties and special projects as assigned.
Performance Metrics The Annual Fund & Donor Relations Manager will be evaluated on:
Annual fund revenue raised
Donor retention and donor upgrade rate
Number of donor meetings and solicitations
Lapsed donor reactivation
Growth of annual fund pipeline
Qualifications
3+ years of fundraising, sales, or relationship management experience with demonstrated success
1+ years supervisory experience preferred
Experience managing a donor or client portfolio preferred
Experience making solicitations or closing sales preferred
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Strong organizational and project management skills
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with accuracy, discretion and attention to detail
Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to teamwork and shared success
Experience with donor databases (Bloomerang preferred)
Commitment to the mission of Central Scholarship
Working Conditions Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Occasional overtime may be required.
NOTE
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
Central Scholarship is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
#J-18808-Ljbffr