Donor Engagement Manager

Donor Engagement Manager

The Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester is located alongside the Erie Canal in Brighton and is a 200,000 square foot facility that houses our state-of-the-art fitness, wellness and recreation programming, an aquatics center, a Professional Theatre, Children's Center and our Camping Program.

We pride ourselves on providing our members with quality educational, cultural arts and social programming, and we are an inclusive community center that welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages.

The Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester is more than an institution. It is a living, breathing reflection of what a community can be-diverse, vibrant, welcoming, and resilient. A place where a child takes their first steps, a teen finds their voice, an adult rekindles purpose, and Jewish & Israel life flourishes across generations.

As we look ahead, we are filled with both urgency and optimism. The future of our JCC is not about survival-it's about becoming more vibrant, more inclusive of all abilities and identities, more Jewish, and more essential than ever before. We are not just preserving a legacy-we are becoming the tomorrow of JCCs.

We remain profoundly grateful to the members, donors, volunteers, and partners who make this possible. Your work fuels impact across Early Childhood, Fitness/Wellness/ Aquatics/Recreation (FWAR), Arts & Culture, Jewish Life, Camp Seneca Lake, Camp Sisol, and Active Agers (55+). To sustain and grow this impact, we are investing in executive-level development leadership that will steward today's donors, welcome new partners, and build an enduring culture of philanthropy.

Our Values

Kehillah - Community An intentional community that nurtures physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being; we foster belonging by building connections, shared responsibility, and common purpose.

Hachnasat Orchim - Welcoming + Belonging We center the needs of every guest and member, creating a true sense of home and belonging across our community center.

Chesed - Compassion Loving-kindness in action; we show care that improves well-being and brings warmth and joy, acting to carry goodness into the world.

Kavod - Honor + Respect We treat people and traditions with dignity, embrace difference with a flexible mindset, and cultivate authentic connections so all can be their true selves.

Shmirat HaGuf - Being Our Best Selves We honor the body as a gift, promote whole-person wellness, and continually improve while celebrating and motivating one another.

Guided by these values, the JCC is poised for its next chapter of service and impact.

Why Work With Us?

A comprehensive and competitive benefits package, designed to support your well-being and work-life balance

Complimentary JCC membership, providing access to our facilities, programs, and wellness offerings

Robust professional development opportunities to support ongoing growth and career advancement

Regular networking and community-building events that foster meaningful connections

Opportunities to participate in enriching Jewish cultural, educational, and community activities

JOB SUMMARY

The Donor Engagement Manager is a key member of the Development team, responsible for managing donor data systems, implementing annual campaign strategies, tracking campaign performance, and generating reports that inform strategic decision-making. This role also supports stewardship activities that enhance retention rates, coordinates fundraising event logistics, sends mass donor communications, and responds to general donor inquiries. The Donor Engagement Manager will also manage a portfolio with experience in prospect research and managing legacy giving programs a plus.

The ideal candidate is proactive, analytical, and equally comfortable behind a spreadsheet or engaging with donors, volunteers, and senior staff. They bring care, discretion, and strong communication skills to this critical role, helping to strengthen community impact through effective and efficient development operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Key Engagement Responsibilities

• Donor Stewardship & Retention: Develop and implement comprehensive stewardship plans to ensure donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the mission. This includes overseeing the acknowledgment process (thank-you letters, calls, and recognition) within prompt timelines.
• Portfolio Management: Actively manage a personal portfolio of donors with regular outreach to cultivate relationships and move donors through the giving pipeline.
• Strategic Communications: Draft and edit donor-facing materials, including impact reports, solicitations, newsletters, and briefing materials. Collaborate with marketing team to ensure consistent messaging and storytelling.
• Data & CRM Management: Utilize donor database to track donor interactions, maintain accurate records, and generate reports on fundraising KPIs.
• Prospect Research: Identify new potential donors and conduct research to qualify their capacity and alignment with the organization's goals.
• Legacy Giving: Assist in identifying and cultivating planned giving prospects to help build long-term sustainability.

Key Annual Fund Responsibilities

• Campaign Strategy & Execution: Design and manage the annual calendar of appeals, including year-end giving, spring drives, and "giving days."
• Donor Segmentation: Use CRM data to divide the donor base into groups (e.g., first-time, lapsed, monthly, or mid-level) to send more personalized and effective appeals.
• Monthly/Recurring Giving: Lead the growth and retention of "sustainer" programs, which provide the JCC with predictable, ongoing revenue.
• Pipeline Development: Identify donors from the annual fund who show the potential to become major gift donors and move them toward deeper personal cultivation (effective moves management).
• Analytics & Reporting: Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as donor retention rates, average gift size, and campaign ROI to adjust strategies in real-time.

OTHER DUTIES

• Performs all duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree is required
• 35 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising operations, or donor engagement
• Proficiency with donor databases (Raiser's Edge or similar CRM required), including queries, reports, and data segmentation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience creating donor-centric content is a plus
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and pay close attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating fundraising campaigns or events
• Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret data and apply insights to campaign strategies
• Familiarity with email marketing tools and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• Comfort interacting with donors and community members with professionalism and discretion
• Proactive
• Ability to use Discretion

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Regularly sedentary work
• Regularly communicating effectively in person, over the phone and video-conferencing tools.
• Regularly use hands and fingers.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20lbs.

Work Environment

• Primarily an office setting with climate control and lighting.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The JCC of Greater Rochester is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive culture in which staff, members, and community partners can thrive.

EOE Disability/Veteran

Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, occasional nights and weekends