Position Purpose: The Stewardship Manager is responsible for implementing a comprehensive donor relations stewardship program, with a special focus on recognition and engagement of mid-level donors (currently donors in the range of $1,000-$4,999 in annual giving). The Stewardship Manager assists in the execution of fundraising and stewardship events. The Stewardship Manager is a forward-thinking, energetic professional with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of orchestrating annual stewardship activities. The Stewardship Manager provides timely communications to ensure donors receive acknowledgment and updates on the impact of philanthropy for hunger relief programs and operations. All responsibilities shall be consistent with Gleaners Food Bank's mission to be a leader in the fight against hunger.
Position Essential Functions and Responsibilities: To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to perform in a satisfactory manner the functions/responsibilities listed below. Nothing in this description restricts the right of management to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time, without notice; however, Gleaners will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.
• Implement, manage, and update an annual stewardship plan for mid-level (including new) donors. This includes collaboration with the corporate and community engagement team to execute stewardship.
• Implement best practices to formally honor and recognize donor giving on an annual basis.
• Create content and communications to build engagement and relationships with new, loyal, and mid-level donors via stewardship phone calls, emails, follow-up mailings, personal visits, tours, and special events.
• Utilize metrics, data, and analytics to drive segmented messaging, personal touches, and tailored impact reports.
• As part of an annual plan, engage Gleaners’ leadership and volunteer leaders in outreach.
• Actively manage assigned portfolio of mid-level donors resulting in retention of donors while potentially increasing their philanthropy through stewardship and cultivation actions.
• Help qualify mid-level donors as major donors and planned giving prospects by executing donor research through the utilization of iWave and other tools. Communicate viable prospects to the development team.
• Assist with annual stewardship events and activities to enhance long-term donor relationships which undergird retention and giving. Communicate information and results to donors to inform them how their philanthropy impacts Gleaners and our constituents.
• Participate in forecasting fundraising success in preparation for Gleaners’ annual budget. This forecasting exercise includes a review of the portfolio to ascertain probabilities of donor retention, lapses, increases, and prospects.
• Embrace and embody the mission, values, and goals of Gleaners by articulating our case statement.
• Collaborate with the communications staff for direct mail, social media, gift acknowledgment, and other donor communications. Contribute ideas and content for communications and marketing materials, especially as related to support from individuals outlined in the Manager’s area of purview.
• Participate in professional development opportunities annually.
• Participate actively in staff meetings, retreats, and Board meetings when requested.
• May be required to provide leadership to interns and volunteers assisting with donor stewardship. Execute other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.
The requirements listed are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities an individual needs in order to perform this job successfully.
Gleaners was founded in 1980 by a group of citizens committed to the belief that no one should go hungry. Since that time, we have grown to be the largest hunger relief organization in Indiana. As one of the 200-member food banks in the Feeding America Network, Gleaners provides nutritious food to roughly one-third of the food-insecure population in Indiana. We do so through mobile pantries, home delivery, Gleaners2Go, and our on-site food pantry, the Community Cupboard. We also serve as a wholesale distributor through a committed network of more than 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and community partners throughout our 21-county service area. On May 1, 2017, Gleaners established Fresh Connect Central, one of just six Feeding America regional cooperatives. Initially focused on sourcing and distributing fresh produce, Fresh Connect Central has expanded to include protein and dairy, offering a variety of nutritious and highly desired foods to Gleaners and other food banks throughout Indiana and across the country. Fresh Connect Central and Gleaners work to dramatically reduce food waste by sourcing vast quantities of fresh foods that would otherwise have been discarded or plowed under.
Gleaners is a transparent, accountable, and able steward of the resources entrusted to us, having earned the highest rating possible (4-Star Organization) from Charity Navigator for demonstrating fiscal management and accountability. In addition, Gleaners is an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau and has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.