Donor Relations Manager

Posted: 05/09/2025

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Donor Relations Manager (DRM) works with the philanthropy team in Kansas in communicating with donors and helping them connect with the impact of their support. They assist with all stages of the donor journey: identification, qualification for major support, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The DRM provides ongoing opportunities for contact with past and current donors, including donors who are considering or have made a planned gift.
The Donor Relations Manager manages a portfolio of mid-level donors by maintaining regular communication and soliciting their support. They assist in cultivating and soliciting donors through meetings, trips, events, and other activities. They conduct exploratory meetings with donors and prospects to determine capacity for giving and cultivate relationships with donors at a personal level. The DRM will move prospects capable of gifts of higher amounts to the prospect pool for management by senior fundraising staff and integration into the Moves Management process.
They will work on a variety of activities including providing program information to prospects, donors, and the legacy club and drafting correspondence, acknowledgements, newsletters, impact reports, and funding proposals. They will assist in coordinating small events and donor tours. They use the Conservancy’s donor database to update donor information, produce reports, and track and cultivate donors. The DRM understands the basics of the influencing factors on donors and the types of assets that may be used for the donor’s giving; applies knowledge to interactions with donors and gift asks. They will capitalize on matching gift opportunities.
This position reports to the Director of Philanthropy. It is a hybrid position; the ability to work from the Lawrence office at least one to two days a week is preferred. The DRM will travel occasionally, and work overtime/flexible hours as needed. The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
Salary Range: $58,000-$75,000 (depending on experience and location)

We’re Looking for You:

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I make a difference?”, but you don’t know where to go or have the time to do it? Welcome to The Nature Conservancy. You have found the solution and now you can make a difference every day!
 
By joining our Kansas team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with; a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.
 
The Conservancy is a global conservation leader and one of the top fundraising charities in the United States. Your work in on the Kansas philanthropy team will impact not only conservation objectives in our beautiful state, but you’ll contribute to The Nature Conservancy’s global conservation goals.
 
We’re looking for an individual with fundraising, communications, or business development experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people.   If you enjoy interacting with people, writing, and occasionally getting out into nature, this job might be for you!

What You’ll Bring:

  • Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience or equivalent combination.
  • Experience building relationships with staff, donors, volunteers, and/or customers.
  • Experience generating reports and analysing and interpreting the data.
  • Experience working across departments.
  • Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in managing and tracking prospects and donors.
  • Direct fundraising experience.
  • Experience working in a database and/or spreadsheet software.
  • Experience writing newsletters, proposals, or other fundraising or marketing content.
  • Strong organization skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
 What We Bring:
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!
 
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
 
We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!
 
This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $50,000 - 74,999